Board races packed in Dist. 203, Dist. 204
The field is set for school board elections in Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204.
Both districts have four open 4-year seats that will be up for grabs April 7.
In District 204, 13 candidates, including two incumbents, have filed.
• Dawn DeSart is a 1981 graduate of Waubonsie Valley High School. She has been a volunteer in several parent teacher organizations. She she would work to "rebuild a sense of community" in the district.
• Eric Hepburn, a nine-year resident of Naperville said the board needs an "infusion of new talent and outside viewpoints." He is senior director of operations for Excel Direct contract logistics firm.
• Cathy Piehl, who was appointed to the board in September 2008, said she is still learning and wants to continue serving.
• Mark Rising, an 11-year resident of District 204, said he has routinely attended board meetings since 2006 when discussion began about opening Metea Valley.
• Christine Vickers, a paralegal and IT administrator for a Chicago law firm, joined the board in 2005 and said she wants to focus the district on improving education, not just building schools.
• Janey Wagner is a four-year resident of District 204 but she spent much of her life in the neighboring Naperville school district. Having no children left in the school system, Wagner said she would offer a different approach to the board.
• Others who filed in District 204: Yuming Huang, Michael G. Strick, Susan Rasmus, Michael Crockett, Donald Muscato, Jerry Huang and Doug DiFusco.
In Naperville Unit District 203, meanwhile, 10 candidates are running for a spot on the board including two incumbents.
• Susan Crotty is a professional organizer with three children in the district. The board vice president is seeking a second term and said there are many projects such as facility improvements and hiring a new superintendent and high school principals she would like to see to fruition.
• Michael DelCiello works in finance and is both a district alumni and parent. He believes the board needs more debate about curriculum and finances and said he will bring creativity and dedication to the district.
• Jim Dennison is director of marketing for manufacturing company Thermique Technologies. He served as co-chair of District 203's Build the Future 203 referendum committee and his children recently graduated from the district. Dennison says he would like to continue to work on the facilities projects and believes he could help the district balance high performance with fiscal responsibility.
• Steve Deutsch works for Morningstar, Inc. and has served on the district's facilities committee. He has run unsuccessfully for the board twice. Deutsch, who has a son in the district, said the board needs to have more open dialogue and look at improving curriculum through additional foreign language and all-day kindergarten.
• Nancy Drapalik is a second -grade reading tutor at Naper Elementary. Having one child who has graduated from District 203 and two more still in the system she has volunteered at all levels and said she is open-minded.
• Lynn Hodak is a Lisle resident, owner of LOOK Staffing and a longtime District 203 volunteer with a daughter at Naperville Central. She is also involved in Summer Place Theatre, Naperville Independent Film Festival and Kidz in the Biz outreach program. Hodak said she will contribute energy, an understanding of business and love of education.
• Patti Mathewson has been a teacher, counselor and administrator and was a finalist for a school board appointment in 2007. She also served on the city's plan commission, Transportation Advisory Board and as a Naperville Township trustee.
• Jackie Romberg was appointed to the board in 2007 and is an active district volunteer and former financial consultant. A Naperville North parent, she said she wants to make sure students reach their full potential.
• Merle Siefken is a former District 203 teacher who is now the director of a project for the state board of education that helps form partnerships between parents and educators. His sons attend District 203 schools and he said he wants to help the district continue to move forward and meet students' needs.
• Dave Weeks is a certified financial planner and is active in the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. His children have graduated from the district and he believes it needs long-term financial planning during tough economic times.