Fenton High School District 100

Four candidates are running for three, 4-year terms as trustees of Fenton Community High School District 100. Incumbents John Curtis, Dorothy Lange and Ed Tully are challenged by former Bensenville village president candidate John Wassinger.

The Daily Herald posed a series of questions to all candidates. Below are their edited responses. Some have been edited to comply with our requested 150-word limit.

Q. Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and, if so, what? What will be your main priority?

Curtis. The primary objective of my running for re-election is the same as always – to help our students prepare for a successful and contributory life. By providing a quality education, we take the first step in helping them to reach that goal.

Lange. To assure to the people who live in both Wood Dale and Bensenville that their children will be educated at the best level and to assure that our tax dollars are used wisely.

Tully. I deeply care about the future of our young people. It is my desire to see our students succeed both academically and in life, and to continue the positive work on behalf of our students.

Wassinger. I have been involved in the community for years and have always enjoyed the environment at Fenton. Next year, I will have three children at Fenton. I have always attended events with my children so they may see what opportunities await them in high school.

I feel student achievement and fiscal issues are the main points to focus on. We must adhere to federal mandates (No Child…) by finding ways to better articulate with feeder districts, focusing on student preparedness. I believe that parental engagement is also an area that needs constant attention, particularly in homes where English is not the spoken language.

We must find effective out-reach so the goals of the school mesh with those espoused at the home. Each child has different needs and goals. Ours is to provide an environment which sets the bar high for scholastics and just as high for citizenship.

Q. If you are an incumbent, describe your main contributions. Tell us of important initiatives you’ve led. If you are not an incumbent, tell us what contributions you would make.

Curtis. As an incumbent, I, as a school board member, have helped, by direction (a board member’s responsibility), to improve test scores. In addition, I have helped to ensure that the district is fiscally sound.

Lange. As an incumbent, I take my job very seriously. I attend all meetings, prepared and ready to work. I might miss at the most 1 meeting a year. As president, I work closely with the superintendent to develop an agenda for each meeting. I attend, as a representative from our district, monthly meetings for our Special Education Co- op, NEDSEC.

In the past, I have been involved with negotiations with our FLOSS union. I worked with the entire board to find a replacement superintendent for the retiring Dr. Logan. Worked with the board on a District Improvement Plan.

Tully. I, along with my fellow board members, have worked to maintain excellent fiscal controls and a balanced budget, while providing an excellent educational program and outstanding facilities to our students, parents and community.

I have participated in the Illinois Association of School Boards’ Targeting Achievement Through Governance program that enables me to improve my knowledge and skill as a board member.

Wassinger. I have been a board member in the past and consider myself to be a very good one. I am cognizant that the board has a specific function and should always adhere to policy.

I am concerned about the economic issues surrounding the district. It has been negatively impacted (like many others) by the state tax cap. Couple this with the effects of local tax increment financing districts, land purchased by the city of Chicago, and you will find a strained picture.

I have had great experience on the park board in advocating in Springfield. At the Capitol I have lead successful initiatives for legislative amendments and grant proposals. I am not naive as to the processes for effective change and will look forward to sharing my experience with my colleagues on the board, as well as the administration and staff.

Q. In July, Principal Kathie Pierce will succeed Alf Logan as district superintendent. What should her priorities be?

Curtis. Two of the same items mentioned above, improve student test scores (achievement) and continue to maintain a sound fiscal environment. In addition, continue to provide an excellent learning environment and work to include our diverse community in school functions and direction.

Lange. Have Kathie P. continue to work on student improvement and address issues that might arise from our diverse student population. We, as a board, would expect Mrs. Pierce to continue to operate within a balanced budget while continuing to provide an excellent education program.

Tully. To continue with a positive course of action benefiting every child in the district.

Wassinger. First off, the district is one. From a board stand point, the superintendent is the only employee that is given direction. It is from the superintendent that the board relies for the information with which it will perform their basic duties, setting policy and approving an annual budget.

It is important for Ms. Pierce to familiarize herself with all the nuances of her job. Expertise in the latest instructional formats, understanding of the maintenance issues of facilities and in depth knowledge of financial matters.

Some of these things she has experience with, others will be learned on the job. Again, fortunately for Kathie, she has a great working relationship with her present colleagues, who should be invaluable in shoring up her present shortcomings. I know she already is a great ambassador of the school, also a very important component for success in her position.

Q. Fenton has worked increasingly with feeder school districts 2 and 7 to ensure its Hispanic/Spanish-speaking students have a more productive transition into high school. Is it working? Would you change anything? If so, what?

Curtis. I do believe it is working. We would like to employ more bilingual professional staff. The recruitment of qualified bilingual staff is a top priority. In addition, continue meeting with curriculum leaders of districts 100, 2 and 7. When deemed necessary, bring designated teachers into those meetings.

Lange. I would encourage Fenton to maintain its participation and leadership in the Community Latino Advisory Council. This has been very beneficial to Fenton. Fenton has employed a bilingual parent liaison to do home visits and to help Fenton maintain a working relationship with the Latino community.

Tully. I believe it is important for Fenton to seek strategies that help eighth-grade students transition to high school. One key strategy is the work of the curriculum leaders of districts 2, 7 and 100 who meet together throughout the year coordinating reading and math initiatives. These meetings have included language arts/ reading teachers, as well as math teachers from all three districts.

Wassinger. I actually asked a key administrator about this and they responded that they weren’t aware of any formal programs currently in place.

With that being said, there should be. I would like to see some type of standards set for expected proficiencies in order for students to be promoted to high school, ESL or not. Students shouldn’t merit advancement strictly because of age or the number of years attending grammar school.

I am certain that this will be a very contentious topic, yet in order to be true to the goals of education, a “just passing through” mentality is not effective. With respect to those of cultural difference or limited English, an embracing approach must be used. We must make an environment that is welcoming and nurturing in all schools and the communities as well. It is through familiarity and trust that immersion will happen.

Q. What is the most important issue facing the high school today? In the coming years?

Curtis. The most pressing issue today and in the future is the same – to prepare our young men and women to be productive members of a competitive society. These young adults need to be academically and socially prepared for a successful life and allowed to contribute to the society in which they live.

Lange. To prepare our students academically and socially to be ready to enter a challenging and competitive world upon graduation. To meet the rigorous standards of the federal legislation known as No Child Left Behind, while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Tully. Preparing our students academically and assisting them as they become good, contributing citizens making a difference in our very competitive and global world.

Wassinger. I think that a lot of it will be financial. There has to be a post-expansion plan with regard to O’Hare. It may be that the entire plan never comes to fruition, which is fine, yet what if it does. There are already over 300 properties that have been purchased. What impact will that have in the next tax levy cycle?

What of the other negative impact, the Environmental Impact Summary, which was prepared by the FAA. It clearly shows additional sound pressure levels at Fenton. What additional sound proofing should be done? Who will pay for it? I think that an effort should be made to have the revenue taken away by Chicago in property taxes, restored to the district, in perpetuity.

I also think dialogs should begin asserting that the city of Chicago should pay for all needed improvements in mechanical systems and building improvements. The city is benefiting by this expansion, others should not suffer.

Q. What is your philosophy on the recent nationwide phenomenon involving students posting photos of themselves on MySpace.com and other sites? What is the appropriate way for the school to address a situation when a student is pictured drinking or doing something else that violates a code of conduct?

Curtis. I believe that parents have to be knowledgeable and responsible for their children’s behavior. Fenton students involved in extracurricular activities sign a “code of conduct” specifying expectations. However, I believe the ultimate responsibility lies with the parents.

Lange. I believe that parents should be knowledgeable and responsible to monitor their children’s Internet use. Fenton Parent Association recently provided an informative program for parents concerning this site. We hope it provided the knowledge the parents in our district needed to help with monitoring their children.

Tully. I believe parents need to be familiar with the manner in which their children access MySpace and carefully monitor such access. The school needs to implement the approved disciplinary rules for those students who might violate the code of conduct.

Wassinger. I live in a household with three teenagers. Having or accessing these sites is verboten. There is a disconnect between parents and kids today with regard to technology – kids are savvy, many parents are not. The mere existence of personal information on the Internet raises many issues – safety and acceptable conduct is just the beginning.

Perhaps what is needed is a school based intranet that would be used and viewed by students only. Username and password protected. This system could allow for individual Web pages for student communication and expression. Server space is relatively inexpensive. Content would be monitored, yet not to quash individuality. This would allow a safe haven for students, not to worry about predators and still put their content out for others to see.

Their world is relatively small, family and friends, there should be no need to send out information to the entire planet.

Q. Share your philosophy on how to approach teacher contract negotiations.

Curtis. As the chief negotiator for District 100, I believe we have established a mutually respectful environment, which allows all parties to strive for the continual improvement of District 100 and our students.

Lange. We presently are very pleased with our mutually respectful and collaborative relationship that we have with our teachers union. In the past years we, as a board, have worked hard for this kind of relationship with the union. Last spring we settled a three-year contract.

Tully. I believe it is very important for the board to consider concerns raised by both parties during negotiations and to negotiate in a fair and equitable manner.

Wassinger. I have not ever been involved in negotiations with educators. I may have some thoughts on outcome based reward and tenure, but without all of the different information and dynamics it is hard for me to respond. I can guarantee you this, I will make it my business to educate myself, not only on this topic, but all others that would require an opinion to be voted on. I do not take the responsibility of boardmanship lightly and have always done my homework.

Q.: What are your ideas for improving compliance with No Child Left Behind standards? What is your view of the federal No Child Left Behind standards in general?

Curtis. I appreciate what No Child Left Behind is trying to accomplish. However, it must be remembered that all school districts are not alike, and we must allow for the differences in the needs of individuals.

Lange. Our board has recently undergone training provided by the Illinois Association of School Boards to address issues of the No Child Left Behind Act and are presently working on a School Improvement Plan.

Tully. I believe, in theory, it provides some benefits. However, some significant changes need to be made to NCLB when it comes to imposing sanctions on schools and districts.

Wassinger. It has been five years now since this national mandate was enacted. I don’t think any person would complain with a national focus on educational outcomes. I do think that there are always inequities when measures like this are taken.

How do you account for the diversity in a system that exists in District 100? Answer, you don’t. Yet the gauntlet has dropped and we must do our best. The pressure is a positive thing.

Education, just as any other governmental entity, has a tendency to become fat and lazy. This is a wake-up call. American schools have steadily allowed a slipping status among industrialized nations. We cannot maintain and regain our international standard by aspiring to the mediocre. We must also make certain that the playing field for funding is level. We must advocate for ourselves to make certain that our children are not left with an unequal disadvantage.

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