Politics & Government

Valley View Candidates Make Their Case At Chamber Forum

Nine of 10 school board hopefuls present positions on finances, policies.

Candidates running for the April 5 school board election made their cases as to how they could address several district issues, including a projected $9.7 million budget deficit and test scores trending in the wrong direction.

Nine of the 10 candidates running for a seat on the spoke Thursday at a Meet the Candidates Forum sponsored by the Romeoville Area Chamber of Commerce.

Candidates were given three minutes to talk about whatever they wanted, although most focused on their ability to make tough financial decisions or close the achievement gap.

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Only Philip Wilson, who is running for a four-year term, did not attend. 

The rest— four-year term candidates , , , , , and ; and two-year term candidates Chrystal Hansen and Robert Leach—were all on hand to pitch their campaign.

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Hansen, a development and operations pastor at Living Water Community Church, said she became interested in running for the board after noticing the academic achievement challenges that face the district during her involvement in organizations such as the Bolingbrook Academic Achievement Working Group and  (F.A.N.S.). 

"I am the type of person who enjoys being part of the solution," Hansen said. "I don't want to sit around and critique or complain about what is going on. I want to get in and get involved and offer solutions."

Hansen is part of the Friends of Valley View platform, which also includes current board members and candidates Quigley, Venegas and Gougis.

Leach, a journalist by trade, said he was drawn to the board because of the path his two children took while attending Valley View schools.

His son, Leach said, entered school at a subpar reading level and struggled early in his academic career while his daughter excelled in every subject. 

"The primary reason I am running is that both have gone through the same schools and in many cases, the same classrooms," he said. "But it is clear that the system did not work effectively for both.

"Obvious changes need to be made to ensure that we are not just pushing kids along, who in the end will not be ready for the next step in their lives."

Leach also has concerns about how the district spending will affect his property taxes and believes school districts are the No. 1 factor people consider when buying a home.

Leach believes the district could eventually become the "crown jewel of our community."

Gavin said her proven ability in the business world makes her an ideal candidate. With two children in the district, she said she has submerged herself in the school district during the past few years to learn more about the district's initiatives and how they are implemented at the most basic level. 

She said her professional experience in analyzing and creating budgets would allow her to be resourceful when it comes to Valley View's finances.

Gougis, who sits on the board now by way of appointment a year and a half ago, highlighted the 10 percent budget reductions he and the rest of the sitting board have made while keeping class sizes to a minimum.

He also highlighted his part in the district's likely ability to keep property taxes flat this year.

Harris, who has worked in state government in some capacity for more than 20 years, said budgetary concerns would be his No. 1 priority. He said he would work with taxpayers, various organizations, including the Illinois Federation of Teachers, the superintendent and mayors, among others, to solve the budget problem.

"It will not be a unilateral decision; it will take a total effort from the entire community," he said.

Current board President Steve Quigley said he began his tenure on the board with one priority— making sure kids who go to Valley View schools live within district boundaries.

However, after working with the board and all its intricacies, Quigley said he began to see many more issues, such as finances and education, he now considers just as important.

"I found out that we weren't making common-sense business practices decisions that chamber of commerce members wouldn't make with their businesses," he said.

Simmons said she would work hard to invest public money into places that make the most sense and would use her early childhood education background as a way to analyze current and future programs.

Venegas, another incumbent who was appointed to the board within the last year, promoted his ability to increase rigor among the curriculum and his ability to keep taxes flat this  year.

Williams said he has concerns over some board members making significant decisions that affect the district yet don't send their children to Valley View schools.

"I believe in the system and that it's OK to have my kids participate in that system ... to know the system I'm trying to improve is working for my kids," he said. 

Williams also said board members should not operate the district as a business because they are dealing with children.

Early voting for the election begins Monday. The election is April 5.


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