Mitchem Continues Community Circuit, Talks with Kiwanis

Seemingly everybody has a question for Valley View's newest superintendent. 

What's the deal with the 90-10 philosophy? How does the district handle No Child Left Behind demands? How will the district help students lagging behind with the absence of remedial courses? 

The list goes on.

James Mitchem, who took control of the district July 1, has been fielding those questions faster than a shortstop takes grounders, taking his "New View" presentation to the road in efforts to inform the public of his intentions for the district.

Admittedly, Mitchem told members of the Bolingbrook and Romeoville Kiwanis Club that he's talked so much about his new view, he's getting sick of hearing his own voice.

Mitchem visited the Kiwanis during their Wednesday afternoon meeting at the Bolingbrook Golf Club, part of a constant blitz of meet and greets designed to bring everyone to the table.

Mitchem's plan is refreshing to many members of the community.

One parent that attended Mitchem's first "New View" presentation in Romeoville said it was the first time a superintendent from the district had bothered to reach out to Romeoville residents. 

Getting the community involved is key for Mitchem. The 25-year veteran of the district said community members should lay claim to the district just as much as he or other administrators do.

 “We all have skin in this game,” Mitchem said during his drop in with the Bolingbrook Lions Club last week. "What bothers me the most is the stigma that is attached to the school system. People say Bolingbrook would be a good place to live except for Valley View. So we’re trying to change that perception. As the school system improves, so will people’s willingness to move into our community, so will people’s willingness to open businesses here.

“I truly believe that communities don’t make the education systems, but the education systems make the community,” he added.

The community forums won’t be the only time Valley View stakeholders will get the chance to question Mitchem. The new superintendent, who took the reins from retiring Supt. Phillip Schoffstall on July 1, has promised to hold six more question and answer sessions this fall.

Mitchem said he won’t offer a presentation at the sessions, instead dedicating the events solely to fielding questions from parents, students and community members. The events are scheduled as follows:

Elementary schools

• 1470 Raven Drive, Bolingbrook: 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 13
• 616 Dalhart, Romeoville: 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 15

Middle schools

• , 725 Normantown, Romeoville: 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 20
• , 777 Falconridge, Bolingbrook: 6 to 8 p.m., Sept. 22

High schools

• , 365 Raider Way: 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 27
•  100 N. Independence Boulevard: 6 to 9 p.m., Sept. 29.

Spanish language interpreters will be available for to assist community members in asking questions. If you need a sign language interpreter, contact Community Relations Director Larry Randa at 815-886-2700, ext. 261.