Tom Trefilek: Candidate Profile

Back to Glenbard Township High School District 87 School Board

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: LombardWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Glenbard Township High School District 87 School Board Age: 64Family: Wife: Cherie Children: Alex, Ben, Olivia and SpencerOccupation: Medicsl Distributor - Ortho-Med Services IncEducation: Bachelor of Science in Commerce, DePaul University Master of Science, Physical Education, George Williams College Master Board MemberCivic involvement: Chairperson of Troop 140 Pack/Scout Pancake Breakfast. Glenbard East Future Rams - Girls Basketball Coach Booster Club Member Past President of the Elmhurst YMCA and Villa Park Swim Teams DuPage Swim Conference Official and Referee Former IHSA Basketball Official Former College Women's Basketball Coach at Dominican University, UIC, University of St Francis, George Williams CollegeElected offices held: Glenbard High School District 87 Board Member 2007-2015Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately preparing students for the next stage in their lives, whether it be from elementary into high school or high school into college or full-time employment? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?District 87 does an excellent job preparing young men and women for their future in college and life. The District has created opportunities for students to challenge themselves in order reach their maximum potential and dreams. As a district we were ahead of the curve in implementing the Common Core. Also through the increase in AP opportunities, increase math and science requirements and extracurricular opportunities, our students succeed. These extracurricular activities help student stay engaged with the school and their own personal goal. With new resource periods during extended lunch students are able to seek academic assistance. Starting this year, IPads will enrich instruction and accelerate student learning. As a District we need to continue our working with our feeder schools so that the incoming students will ready to face our tough curriculum spending less time taking courses to increase their skill level before entry to D87. We need to continue with our minority achievement initiative programs as this necessary for the success of this growing student population. We need continue to work with our parents through our nationally known Glenbard Parent Series: (GPS) Navigating Healthy Families. Not only do we want to develop children into adults but educate our parents on how they can help their children grow and face current issues of the family and the youth of today. We live in a mobile society. Extra effort should be focused on students who enter after freshman year and may lack the foundation which our current students possess.What budgetary issues will your district have to confront during the next four years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, be specific about programs and expenses that should be considered for reduction or elimination. On the income side, do you support any tax increases for local schools? Again, be specific.District 87 has done an excellent job these last few years to become excellent fiscal stewards of the taxpayer's hard earned money. D87 continues to maintain Highest Financial Recognition status with ISBE for financial success! There are new fiscal obstacles we as D87 will face if the pension funding is placed upon the individual school districts. If a change in the method in disbursing funds among the different district occurs. And the decreasing of state funds to education will cause concerns. Let's not forget the continued creation of unfunded mandates. Programs: We will develop a plan to have a budget which makes across the board cuts while maintaining high academic standards and the safety of our schools. In this tough time, we just passed a referendum for needed work on our facilities without increasing taxes of our community. The community trusts this board to be responsible with their money and I would not ever abuse that trust.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?Not applicableAs contract talks come up with various school employee groups -- teachers, support staff, etc. -- what posture should the school board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions from its employees, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?District 87 should continue to reward excellence in all areas. The economy e.g. CPI or inflation etc., also state and federal problems controls a majority of the factors which are taken into our discussion with contracts. D87 want to hire and retain the top administrators, teachers and staff for our students. There are so many unknowns these days. This is why our state economy is in such a wreck. People are afraid to do take the chance to invest in Illinois. Our 5+ year projections with various scenarios will guide the Board. Concessions from employees: See above. If we are in the middle contract, we can open it for negotiations if our state or economy acts to jeopardize our budget. That is something as a board I would not like to see done.If your district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, would you support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits? Why or why not?A district that has a contract in place at hiring would not need to increase his/her pay. If the board seeks to hire an influential person, they may need more adjustments that offer a competitive salary.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Participants in Special Olympics - They love life, work hard and share joy with everyone they meet.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents often reflected: Stop dreaming of the Cubs winning a Championship. Become a Sox Fan!If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?There are no do-overs. Just make the best decision, learn and go on.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?After coaching in college for 15+ years, a quality H.S. education can give the confidence and knowledge to be the best version of yourself.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?May you live long enough to do much good. May every place you go and everyone you meet be better because you passed by.