District 54 candidates compare credentials
The five candidates vying for four available seats on the Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 school board agree the district is in a relatively enviable position, as its financial health allows for an emphasis on education.
But they each believe their own credentials can help the district maintain its current position against mounting challenges.
Board President Charlotte Kegarise is seeking her seventh term on the board and is joined on the ballot by recent appointee and former teacher and principal Bob Kaplan, as well as newcomers Jim Pye, Matt Saternus and Kenneth Van Dyke.
Kaplan, 61, who taught in the district for 28 years and retired as principal of Einstein Elementary School in Hanover Park six years ago, was appointed to the board to fill a vacancy last summer.
He believes his background in education provides a unique viewpoint on the board as it plans for further improvement of programs and to overcome ongoing threats to its financial strength.
"I think we're starting from a strong base," Kaplan said. "I would like to see some work on closing the achievement gap. I think we've made great strides but could do better. My motivation has been what's best for kids."
Kegarise, 64, said that whatever the outcome of the election is, the District 54 board will have experienced the biggest turnover within a year since when she first ran in 1993.
"I feel we're giving our kids a good solid base to build on," she said. "I'm really concerned about things that are out of our control, like pensions. I'm as concerned about the retiring teachers as the taxpayers."
She believes District 54's 7½ months of financial reserves can help it overcome some, but not all, external challenges.
Though a member of the Schaumburg Township Republican Organization, Kegarise is worried by suggestions, such as Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner's property tax freeze. This is purportedly to help seniors but isn't the way Illinois works, she said.
Kegarise said Rauner has told District 54 officials they can have a tax-hike referendum to overcome a property tax freeze, yet the state is already cutting its school transportation funding.
Pye, 57, as real estate director for Caleres - the parent company of Famous Footwear - believes his business experience can benefit the board.
He said he's pleased the district has put so much focus on its financial concerns and sees the strength of the schools as a factor in the area's home values.
As a newcomer, Pye said he recognizes the value of the adage to listen twice as much as one speaks.
"I think Char's done a phenomenal job," he said of the senior candidate in the race. "I think she can mentor us. I'm impressed by how Char defuses situations."
Pye added that a strong board would be one exhibiting a wide range of skills, his own being the ability to find mutual benefits in business negotiations.
Saternus, 33, is a Cicero firefighter, but he has been a classroom teacher and wants to bring that experience to the board as his young daughters begin their educations in District 54.
He has much praise for the district but wants it to be proactive on any and all rising concerns, such as growing class sizes.
"District 54 is set up as well as any district I know of," said the eight-year resident of Hoffman Estates. "It's made it a little difficult to find campaign issues. I think the district has a lot of good leadership."
Van Dyke, 42, said his status as the parent of young children in the district is his motivation for running. The postal carrier had been volunteering in the district and attending board meetings for a few years before becoming a candidate.
"I felt like I wanted a little better base," he said of his patience. "I think the district is in real good shape. We're in a good financial situation."
Like Saternus, he said increasing enrollment in some of the district's 28 schools is one issue he wants the board to stay on top of. But it's the cooperative approach he's seen the board exercise since 2013 that will help overcome such new challenges, Van Dyke said.