By R.L. Anderson
Four positions are at stake in the upcoming Valley View School Board election against the backdrop of two difficult financial years, concerns about student achievement, and the elevation of Bolingbrook Principal James Mitchem to Superintendent effective on July 1st.
Three four-year terms and an unexpired two-year spot will be determined by voters on April 5.
Three incumbents are running together under the Friends of Valley View banner and are seeking four-year terms. They are school board President Steve Quigley, Rick Gougis and Leo Venegas. A fourth member of the Friends of Valley View group is Chrystal Hansen, a candidate for the two-year position.
Six other challengers are on the ballot.
Seeking the four-year seats are April Gavin, Kenneth Harris, Claudia Simmons, Kenneth Williams, and Philip Wilson. Robert Leach is a candidate for the two-year position.
Two years of budget cuts, continued deficits caused in large part by delayed state funding, and a new focus on academic achievement have dominated the board's attention since the last election in 2009.
A year ago there was a re-shuffling of administrative posts designed to provide budget relief and improved test results. The new structure didn't last long. After Mitchem's appointment in October of last year, the board adopted his strategic and administrative re-organization plan. Included was a new organization chart with overhauled job descriptions. Mitchem's design is intended to improve student performance by connecting each classroom to overall district goals and taking a fresh approach to issues like student discipline, increasing employee accountability and many others.
The ten candidates were asked to answer the following profile questions. Wilson was the lone candidate who did not provide the requested information.
Six candidates for three four-year terms
April Gavin
Residence: Bolingbrook
Occupation: Management
Age: 44
Family Information: Married with two children
Education: Bachelor of Science, University of Kentucky
Public & Community Service Activities: Universal Leadership Team since 2009 - Oak View School; PTA member - Oak View School since 2009; Interview team member for new principal at Oak View School (2010); Valley View Green Team Committee for pilot program; Volunteer for DuPage Township events since 2009; Volunteer H2O fundraiser 2010; Assistant Den Leader, Pack 367, Boy Scouts of America since 2010; and annual contributions to non-for-profit fundraising events in the community
Why are you seeking this office?
I have experience in many related aspects that a board member should possess. For the past three years I have been directly involved with Valley View schools to increase my knowledge on district agendas and programs. Also, I am a business woman with over 15 years of experience in financial analysis and planning.
There are initiatives that I have been working on to ensure that I am the most qualified candidate.
I am a ULT Member at Oak View Elementary School. With this position I have made decisions and offered constructive criticism regarding PBIS, CICO, RtI, Guided Reading, OV Educational Belief Model and OV Mission statement. I have had access to review and analyze data regarding these programs. (All of these programs are district mandates and I have learned first hand how the district initiatives affect our schools' implementation and learning processes.)
I have received training on PBIS and AIMSWEB reporting and have gained the knowledge and understanding that the data provides.
My professional experience has provided me with training and the expertise of analyzing
and creating a budget. I am resourceful when it comes to making sound decisions that affect a budget. In doing so, I have become an expert with regard to finding ways of yielding a profit without compromising stability and integrity.
I support the district's plans for making the schools accessible for diverse groups. I believe that every child has the potential to succeed. The systems that are in place lead toward the idea that every child should be able to perform in their respective classrooms so they are maintaining academic success regardless of their academic, social, ethnic or economic background. I have a proven ability to lead, innovate and work collaboratively with leaders, teachers, students and parents in the communities.
I am culturally diverse and am bilingual (English/Spanish.) I would support the efforts of building community relations with the Hispanic sector.
What is the top priority of the Valley View Board of Education?
To create better unity between the schools and the community. To bring education back into the homes of America through increased correspondence to our neighbors. I believe that instilling an increased sense of responsibility in the homes will better support our efforts as educators and in doing so we will see test scores rise and the academic goals of Valley View will be met.
What is the Valley View District's strongest asset?
The passion and drive for success that I see from the superintendents, teachers, para-professionals, parent teacher associations, etc.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Valley View District?
The upcoming changes and reform of our educational processes.
What is the most promising element of incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem's plans for academic improvement?
The added focus of support for student achievement allowing our students become better prepared for secondary life.
Richard "Rick" Gougis III
Residence: Romeoville
Occupation: Manages 150 employees and oversees hundreds of millions of dollars in sales
Age: 34
Family Information: Married with two children
Education: Bachelor's degree, University of Dayton
Public & Community Service Activities: Active member of Romeoville Rotary and will serve as President in 2011; Hampton Park Social Athletic Club; parent volunteer at Hermansen Elementary School; currently serves on the Valley View Board of Education and is chair of the Academics and Finance committees and also serves on the Safety, Employee Workplace Safety and the Community Leaders Working Group; board member for Building Academic Achievement within this Generation (BAAWG); and also serves on the auxiliary board for Emerging Life Solutions, a group committed to serving homeless youth in Valley View.
Why are you seeking this office?
To increase the academic opportunities for the district's students so that they can live their dreams and to do this in a responsible, fiscally sound manner that does not burden the taxpayers.
What is the top priority of the Valley View Board of Education?
To increase academic opportunities for our students and to increase our students' academic performance, while being fiscally responsible.
What is the Valley View District's strongest asset?
The kids and all the people who support them, from the teachers to the bus drivers to the parents at home who, like me, want the best schools for our children. The teachers and those professionals who work with our children every day are the heart of our district and I am so honored that the Valley View Council, the group that represents the teachers, paraprofessionals and secretaries, is supporting me in this election.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Valley View District?
It's a combination of two issues. Our academic success is not where we want it and we want to do better and we can do better. At the same time, we have tremendous financial pressures due to the economy and poor state funding of schools. So the balancing of the fiscal restraint with increased desire to improve educational opportunities will take innovative and smart decisions by the school board. That is why I am running with a team of individuals who are committed and superbly qualified to do this.
What is the most promising element of incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem's plans for academic improvement?
I sat on the search committee for superintendent with Board President Steve Quigley. The Board of Education had a vision of the type of Superintendent we wanted to lead our district into the future. Mr. Mitchem's vision and our vision are aligned; we are creating an atmosphere of learning and achievement that will allow our students to achieve their dreams. Our schools will be a place where the whole child will be supported educationally and social-emotionally. When President Quigley and I recommended Mr. Mitchem after reviewing dozens of qualified applications to the entire board, it was clear that his vision and our vision were the same. I will work hard to create and foster collaboration with all stakeholders: Students, parents, teachers, and the community-at-large so we are all working in the same direction on the district's new direction. The most promising is our shared belief system that all of children can learn at a high level inside what will be one of the most rigorous curriculums in the state.
Kenneth Harris
Residence: Bolingbrook
Occupation: Business Administrator with the Illinois Department of Corrections; Owner, Kenneth Harris, CPA
Age: 47
Family Information: Married with three children
Education: Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting, Augustana College
Public & Community Service Activities: Volunteer work includes working with the Center of Economic Progress, tax preparer, Joliet office; Diamond Youth Foundation, treasurer; Maywood-Wheaton Alumni Chapter-Guide Right; Bolingbrook Community Basketball, coach; Romeoville Community Basketball, coach; Illinois Trojan Travel Basketball, coach; Junior Achievers through the Illinois CPA Society, and Friends and Neighbors Supporting Students (FANS).
Why are you seeking this office?
I am running for school board member so I can make a difference in the lives of students, tax payers, teachers, and the community as a whole. My mission is to get involved and stay involved. My education, work experience, mentoring, volunteer work, and my desire to make a difference have prepared me to be qualified for school board member. If elected, one of my priorities will be to ensure that each student have the opportunity to receive a quality education while the district copes with budget constraints.
What is the top priority of the Valley View Board of Education?
The budget is one of the issues facing the district. The top priority of the board is the students. We must all work together to find a way to ensure that all students are given the opportunity to receive the best possible education. We will have to set the example. This includes believing in the district by investing and participating by enrolling your own children in the school system.
What is the Valley View District's strongest asset?
One of my favorite things I like about the district is the passion and commitment of the teachers and workers.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Valley View District?
One problem facing the district is bridging the achievement gap while trying to live within the current budget.
What is the most promising element of incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem's plans for academic improvement?
Jim Mitchem has provided the challenge. It's up to us as taxpayers, teachers, students, businesses, and elected officials to accept the challenge. I believe in Mr. Mitchem and his plan for academic improvement and, if elected, I will do all that I can to see that his plan becomes reality.
Steve Quigley
Residence: Bolingbrook
Occupation: Executive Director of a not-for-profit association
Age: 46
Family Information: Married with two grade-school-aged children
Education: Bachelor of Arts & Science in Public Administration, Eastern Illinois University
Public & Community Service Activities: Currently serves on the Valley View Board of Education; Metropolitan Mayors Caucus Education Funding Task Force; board member, Chicago Southland Convention and Visitors Bureau; member, United Way Local Government Committee and member, Lions Club. Active in youth athletic programs including baseball and football for seven years. Regular contributor to numerous charities including the Valley View Educational Enrichment Foundation, United Way of Will County, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and American Cancer Society.
Why are you seeking this office?
To further the academic improvement process we have undertaken the past two years and to continue to properly manage the district's monies in a financially sound manner.
What is the top priority of the Valley View Board of Education?
To ensure the district continues its efforts of focusing our resources to the classroom and increase academic success for all our children. This is an absolute must for me and should be for all the board members.
What is the Valley View District's strongest asset?
I believe in our district's diversity and what that can mean to all our students and the dedication of our staff. Also, we are in good shape financially when compared to surrounding districts our size. We need to continue sound management practices that have been implemented the past year and a half.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Valley View District?
Not unlike other districts our size, we must strive to improve our academic success with our available financial resources. We will continue to support co-curricular programs because students need balance both socially and academically. We should continue to find the resources for programs while being sensitive to the fact that a majority of residents do not have school-aged children.
What is the most promising element of incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem's plans for academic improvement?
The focus is on accountability and streamlining how we prepare the students for each successive level. Mr. Mitchem has brought forth a bold plan and we need to ensure the proper tools and staff are there to improve on what we have now.
Claudia Simmons
Residence: Bolingbrook
Occupation: Business Owner
Age: n/a
Family Information: Married with two children
Education: Bachelor of Science & Master's in Educational Leadership
Public & Community Service Activities: Business owner; educator; child advocate; mentor; support of charitable organizations; and attends a faith-based church
Why are you seeking this office?
I would push for higher academic performance aligned to the national core standards. I would also stress the importance of providing the necessary in-school supports and services to promote the students' social and emotional development. In this manner the district's goal for our children will be consistent with that of President Obama, which is that "all" students meet the national education standards. Through well informed decision-making relative to policy formation, educational excellence will be the norm in the Valley View school district.
I would also stress the importance of developing the students' ability to use higher-
ordered thinking skills to be effective problem-solvers. As a business owner I've seen the benefits of employees being effective problem-solvers in a team setting. Our students will be able to compete internationally if they possess the ability to innovate and responsibly solve problems in a team setting.
What is the top priority of the Valley View Board of Education?
All students meet the national education standards.
What is the Valley View District's strongest asset?
Diversity.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Valley View District?
Recruiting, induction (training), and retention of highly-qualified teachers, as well as continuously raising the bar of acceptable teacher and student performance so that our students are internationally competitive.
What is the most promising element of incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem's plans for academic improvement?
Resources and interventions for students to find solutions to better perform, consistently, and effectively in their day-to-day academic performance. Also, Superintendent Mitchem's vision is to raise the bar for education and higher test scores.
Leonel "Leo" Venegas
Residence: Romeoville
Occupation: Regional Sales Manager at a national cable company in Romeoville
Age: 36
Family Information: Married with two children
Education: Attended University of Texas Pan American targeting the core studies of Business Management and Finance, additional training through management development programs
Public & Community Service Activities: Currently serves on the Valley View Board of Education; previously served on the Spanish Community Center Board and Adoption Services Board; background also includes over ten years working with local and state governments
Why are you seeking this office?
To further improve and insure both the academics and financial management of our district.
What is the top priority of the Valley View Board of Education?
Balancing the budget and identify measures that qualify and quantify our academic success.
What is the Valley View District's strongest asset?
The rich diversity of our school district.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Valley View District?
Our finances. The next four years will be very critical in balancing our budget. Our plan is to continue to review and execute on a fiscally responsible plan that does not impact the integrity of the classroom.
What is the most promising element of incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem's plans for academic improvement?
Jim Mitchem's vision and passion are fundamental but the most promising element is the cadence of accountability he brings to our district.
Kenneth Williams
Residence: Bolingbrook
Occupation: Store manager
Age: 40
Family Information: Married with four children
Education: Master of Arts, Organizational Leadership and Supervision, Lewis University and Bachelor of Arts, Organizational Leadership and Supervision, Purdue University
Public & Community Service Activities: Mentor for young men; volunteer coach for boys basketball (Illinois Celtics); Universal Leadership Team member at Jane Adams Middle School;
Yearly Field Day Volunteer at Independence Elementary School; Career Day Speaker at Jane Adams Middle School; FANS Volunteer at Bolingbrook High School and study table volunteer at Bolingbrook High School.
Why are you seeking this office?
I want to be a school board member because I have a passion for young people to excel and reach their full potential. I believe it takes a village to raise and educate a child. Parents, the school, and our entire community need to work together to make sure our children have the best education possible. I also believe that we need to make sure our children can compete with other students all over the country so that they can gain entrance in a higher institution and obtain a college degree. I feel I am qualified to be a school board member because I have a vested interest in our community and educational system. I have children who attend a Valley View School and I want them to receive the best education possible.
What is the top priority of the Valley View Board of Education?
I think the top priority will be working with senior leadership to address the district's budget and assess innovative ways to balance the budget; yet making sure we are providing quality programs, educational resources, and enhancing the learning environment within our schools; so that our educators and staff members are meeting the needs of all students social emotionally and academically.
What is the Valley View District's strongest asset?
The strongest asset of the Valley View School district is the diversity of the community and student body who attend our schools; the highly qualified teachers that go above and beyond the call of duty. The different avenues in which some schools seek to involve the community. The different programs and events that schools within the district have that allow the parents to have a better understanding of what is happening within the school and with the students; the extra-curricular activities that allow students to tap into their gifts and abilities. The road we are on to make sure we have high expectations for all students so that we can close the academic achievement gap.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Valley View District?
Balancing the budget in these trying economic times we all face, while at the same time not taking away anything from the classroom that would hinder a good quality productive learning atmosphere. Also, closing the academic achievement gap within our schools and the different subgroups and making sure all of our schools make adequate yearly progress.
What is the most promising element of incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem's plans for academic improvement?
I think the philosophy of our incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem forces us to take note and view education in the way it was intended and not what it has become or interpreted by some. It forces teachers and educators to examine themselves and evaluate what is the goal of each lesson being taught and what is the intended purpose. It forces our educational system and the administrators, staff and teachers who work with students' everyday to look within and hold each other accountable for a student's success. I think the ultimate goal of what we want our students to achieve is success: How we measure success or the way we measure it is the question? Do we blame the student or do we blame ourselves? When a student is not achieving whose fault is it? We must first look to self and try a new way of thinking. Is the outcome a student learning the skill no matter how they learn it or is the outcome the time it took them to learn that skill and whoever learns it first gets the better grade. Mitchem brings a new way of thinking to some and a level of support to others. He forces accountability to all.
Two candidates for a two-year unexpired term
Chrystal Hansen
Residence: Bolingbrook
Occupation: Development and Operations Pastor
Age: 47
Family Information: Married with three children
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Applied Sociology and Political Science, Lewis University
Public & Community Service Activities: First and foremost serves as first chair and was a founding board member of the Bolingbrook Academic Achievement Working Group (BAAWG),
an organization working to close the achievement gap of students involving the community in grassroots efforts such as college readiness seminars, volunteering as mentors, FANS, lunch buddies, and tutors; serves on the Valley View Area Coalition for Youth (VVACY) Homeless Youth Task Force addressing the problem of homeless youth attending high schools; served as a community member for the Bolingbrook High School Instructional Decision Making for two school years; the Housing Plan to End Homelessness Committee; the Leadership Committee for the Will County Continuum of Care; and founder Emerging Life Solutions, a not-for-profit group committed to serving homeless students in the local area.
Why are you seeking this office?
To aid in helping this community and school district achieve the highest possible academic achievement for students coupled with sound financial spending and budgets.
What is the top priority of the Valley View Board of Education?
The most important priority will be to ensure that every student receives the same opportunities to experience their highest potential for academic achievement positioning them for excellent post secondary education choices.
What is the Valley View District's strongest asset?
Valley View's strongest asset is the passionate teachers who give themselves day after day to educate our children. Through the past 17 years of my children's educational experience in the schools of Valley View, I have met amazing, caring teachers who gave their heart and soul every day to teach my children and many others. Without a doubt each of these teachers contributed to the success of my children's educational experience and prepared them for their future. I strongly believe we need to continue to hire and foster passionate teachers through support and professional development.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Valley View District?
The biggest challenge facing any organization is to achieve the outcomes they were created and designed to accomplish; for the Valley View School District that would be educating all students to meet or exceed the level of college readiness by graduation. Our challenge is not only increasing our students' academic success but also bridging the achievement gap. Coupled with this issue is the reality of the financial pressure and fiscal restraint that is needed in these times. We must learn as a district to do more with less, just as each of us has been forced to manage personal finances in a like manner.
What is the most promising element of incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem's plans for academic improvement?
I believe the most promising element of Mitchem's plan is the accountability component. Accountability is crucial and needed from the top to the bottom of any organization. Jim's willingness to base his own contract on performance and outcomes leads the way and sends a strong message of change. This accountability of outcomes for all staff will bring improvement to the entire school district.
Robert Leach
Residence: Romeoville
Occupation: Journalist
Age: 44
Family Information: Married with two children
Education: I am a high school graduate with some college
Public & Community Service Activities: Served as board vice president of the Spanish Center in Joliet; served as a board member of the Cook County Publishers Association; served as a board member of the Illinois Production Alliance; I have been a youth sport coach in football, baseball and boys and girls basketball.
Why are you seeking this office?
I am seeking the two-year unexpired seat largely due to my dissatisfaction of my children's education to this point, my frustration over growing budget concerns and my general desire to focus on what I believe is our single greatest asset, our school district. Unless we can maintain a balanced budget without refinancing our debt, we are failing beyond the classroom. I believe the Board of Education has a fundamental responsibility to the taxpayers they are supposed to represent both in terms of the quality of education our community's children receive and an obligation to negotiate current and future financial budgets that take into consideration our low testing scores that have plagued our district over the past four years. When I ask myself is my family better off than we were four years ago, the answer is no. I intend to do something about that and not sit on the sidelines waiting for my children's education to improve or receive any tax relief despite my property value plummeting over the same period. If we are to turn our property values upward we must and should start with the largest benefactor of our property tax dollar, the school district, and ensure that our community is a place that will attract future home buyers to this market.
What is the top priority of the Valley View Board of Education?
Simple...balance our budget and reduce our structural debt. The current board voted to refinance our structural debt and extend out the payments which in the short run may look appealing. However, the additional interest we are now saddled with could reach as high as $35 million dollars, I have been told! At what point do we tackle the serious issue of paying down our debt and stabilize our district financials? We cannot live on borrowed monies, we must live within the means the taxpayers provide and make decisions accordingly. It is not impossible for a school district to become bankrupt, if this should happen I ask what will become of our property values in the district at that point? Instead of finding new paths to bury our debts with refinancing opportunities then pointing to the lowered payments as an improvement in our bottom line, works for some, however, it is, in my opinion, financially irresponsible and will lead to higher taxes and dwindling services.
What is the Valley View District's strongest asset?
I believe the strongest asset within the district is the teaching professionals who have and continue to navigate the enormous amount of upheaval at the administrative level while simultaneously changing procedures and classroom obligations to suit incoming leadership. We have seen three principals in five years at Romeoville High School as an example each carrying a different "vision". With each transition of leadership, the teachers have been forced to adapt to the changing environment while maintaining a focus on their students. While difficult, I have personally seen many of these professionals consistently put in added efforts above and beyond their contractual obligation in an effort to improve the education experience for the students. Many are quick to blame the teachers on the front line in the classroom as the reason for low testing scores. While that may seem a simple answer, I do not buy that. At what point does a company look at its management when its stock price tumbles? Are the store clerks an acceptable excuse for a blue chip's failure? If I held stock in a company that blamed their employees for failure I would sell that stock. No, I believe the problem is much more sophisticated than that. I hold stock in this district, driving my desire to roll up my sleeves as a volunteer and get to work understanding my children's education. Future property values depend upon it.
What is the biggest challenge facing the Valley View District?
We are looking failure directly in the face on several fronts. If we are to turn our educational system around and become the success story we should be, we must unite in this common goal and work diligently to correct our past mistakes or face the consequences as a community and a nation. I grew up in a country that is accustomed to taking the lead not following the beaten path. We are Americans and that still means something to me. It is not merely a gift to say I am American, it is a bill we must all pay in order to ensure our nation survives and thrives. I do not take for granted all that was established by those before me to ensure opportunities afforded in my own life, it is my time to pay it forward. The biggest challenge our district has is bringing everyone to the table and leaving with one common goal united in its application and success. In order to accomplish what we set out to, trust, respect and honor cannot be words we simply speak but must be reflected in the actions we make visible from all sides. There is a monumental task ahead and while I do not assign blame, I do believe I am focused on doing my part if the voters so choose on April 5.
What is the most promising element of incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem's plans for academic improvement?
Mr. Mitchem's plan is promising because his plan works to eliminating the marginalization of struggling students however I am cautiously optimistic of its application. What I know of incoming Superintendent Jim Mitchem is that he is a success story and has achieved much in his life to this point. If his professional career is any indication of his future success leading the district to greater heights, then I am encouraged his plan will show progress on that front.
