Nancy Svoboda: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: Downers GroveWebsite: www.nancysvoboda.comOffice sought: College Of DuPage School Board Age: 66Family: Ms.Sara Svoboda, daughter Ms.Laura Svoboda Roszkowski, daughter Sergeant John Svoboda, sonOccupation: Retired ProfessorEducation: Doctorate in Adult Education, NIU Masters in College Student Personnel Services, WIU Bachelors in Secondary Math Education, U of P Edinboro AA and AGS from College of DuPageCivic involvement: Family Shelter Services;St. Mary of Gostyn Lector;League of Women Voters of Downers Grove, Woodridge and Lisle; Life Long Learning Advisory Committee for COD; 50th Anniversary Steering Committee for COD, various charitable walks such as Bonnfield Express.Elected offices held: Trustee, College of DuPage Board of Trustees 2009 - PresentQuestions Answers What can the board do to help improve the relationship between the administration and its employees, including full-time faculty members?College of DuPage has a long history of not just resting on its reputation of academic excellence, but of addressing areas in need of change. Six years ago, a Board of Trustees hired a president with certain skill sets in mind such as those needed for physical plant improvements. With recent actions, such as the PACE survey results on constituency satisfaction and the faculty's Vote of No Confidence in the president, there is a broader recognition among trustees that a change is needed in leadership priorities. The climate of the college is a key factor in the service students and the community, so change needs to be a top priority for the Board and the president. To that end, immediate opportunities need to be created for the Board to hear directly from employees in a setting that allows for open, honest consideration of issues. The Board needs to take action in addressing needed changes. Since the opportunity now exists, the Board must seek a new president with skills sets that are able to address, repair, and build relationships among all those in the college community.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?I retired from College of DuPage, District 502 after 34 years of service as a counseling faculty member. None of my family members work at the college.With enrollment up, what should COD be doing as far as available classroom/lab space, staffing and course work options to keep pace with the growth?College of DuPage has continued to increase enrollment as the college added educational options and expanded services to meet community needs throughout challenging economic times. On the horizon are further growth opportunities, such as possible options for baccalaureate degrees and expanded offerings in Life Long Learning. Presently, the physical plant of the college is managing the enrollment growth because a district supported $168 million referendum allowed building improvements and expansion. Even still, there is maximum classroom utilization at peak demand times. Some would think that internet classes might lessen the need for a brick and mortar building but current educational trends indicate students prefer in-person classroom contact even if there is an internet component to the course. Promotion of internet classes, offering more classes in off campus sites, offering non-traditional classes thought the Learning Commons could alleviate some of the space issues. However, active consideration is being given to an additional classroom building that would be funded through the last of referendum dollars and college reserves. Trustees and college administrators are monitoring trends to assess the need for such a building along with its implications when integrated into the campus as a whole. As utilization, staffing, and curricular needs become apparent, decisions on each educational component can be made.The board recently agreed to keep the college's operating property tax levy flat for this year. Is the college reaching a point where a tax levy increase is needed? If yes, how do you justify it? If no, why do you believe that?Multiple issues and concerns surface when considering the financial security of a community college. As originally designed, community colleges were to be funded in equal portions through the state contributions, property taxes and student tuition. In today's economic climate, all three segments are under severe financial strain. Before a property tax levy would be considered next year, it would be critical for College of DuPage leadership to gather pertinent information, study trends, and consider the impact toward maintaining educational excellence and service to the community.According to a recent Daily Herald report, COD board members approved more than $26 million in spending over a 16-month period without seeing what they were specifically paying for. That's because of a long-standing board policy that allows administrators to pay bills of less than $15,000 without providing itemized reports. Should that policy be changed? Why or why not?Transparency is a priority. As community representatives, trustees have always had access to COD financial information, including the itemized reports in question. Each trustee could monitor actions, allocations, and activity. Those in the College of DuPage Finance Department always made operations and details readily available to trustees. When it became apparent that some in the college community thought detailed budget expenditures should be more accessible to them, the college's Finance Office began on-line posting of expenses. Thus as informational needs change and interests are made known, the college is able to update practices.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Service to students and the community through academic excellence needs to take a more prominent position in discussions as voters consider who would best serve District 502 as a College of DuPage Trustee. In addition, as College of DuPage Board Policy 5 - 15 indicates, there are many roles expected of COD trustee. In addition to fiduciary responsilbity, these include ensuring the quality of education provided by the college and reviewing matters recommended by the President then causing appropriate action to be taken. Keeping educational perspectives in mind, it is important to have individuals on the Board who have knowledge of higher education leadership through direct professional experience and matching degrees in Higher Education.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis inspires me due to his simple focus on service to all.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My older brother died when he was 15 so I learned it is important to make the most of each moment.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I have enjoyed the beautiful moments and learned from the challenging ones. I would not do-over any aspect of my life.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math was my favorite subject. I learned to pay attention to detail and to analyze problems. Numbers and facts are my friends.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Live each moment to the fullest.