New District 203 board member Dave Weeks isn't afraid to speak up

After just four months on the Naperville Unit District 203 school board, Dave Weeks already has proved he's not afraid to let his voice be heard.

The rookie board member has spoken out about issues such as health insurance plans, nonprescription medicine in schools and an alternative high school program. He even voted against a recommendation by then-Superintendent Alan Leis that involved staffing levels at elementary schools.

"It's been a learning experience, challenging," Weeks said. "I feel like it's been interesting and a positive experience to get to know other board members and how they operate and their strengths. It's also a challenge to be able to exert some influence."

That challenge, he says, is because he's still in a learning mode, and because his board colleagues still are warming up to him after an election in which he was painted by opponents as being anti-schools.

But he feels board members are "getting on the same page" now, and said board President Mike Jaensch "has clearly set an agenda for openness and discussion."

Weeks, a minister-turned-financial adviser, was elected in April to serve on the school board of District 203 where he, his wife and two daughters all once attended school. He said he and his family have all benefitted from the academic and extracurricular opportunities it provided.

"I run a business here, I just built a home and I know the school system impacts - property values, and I'm probably going to raise my grandkids here," Weeks said. "So I've got perspective and - I'm committed to keeping the schools strong."

Weeks, 58, grew up in Naperville from sixth grade onward and has moved in and out of the city since graduating from Naperville Central in 1969. Though as a teen he appeared headed for a career in music, in high school he became involved in the Young Life organization, which prompted him to shift gears to religion. He has a bachelor's degree in theology/biblical studies from Wheaton College.

For roughly 20 years he worked as a minister in Naperville, Orland Park, central Illinois and even Brazil. In the early 1980s he founded the Financial Freedom Ministries and traveled to churches to teach people about finance and consult with church boards.

His proclivity for finance stuck, and in 1992 he made the switch from the ministry into the financial services sector. Weeks joined Axa Advisors the following year and opened his own office in 2000. He now works with clients on retirement and estate planning issues.

"This is a fantastic career. I get to help people, it challenges my thinking, I've had to learn a lot," he said.

Weeks is active with Calvary Church, Naperville Area Young Life and the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce. His wife, Lynn, is an elementary schoolteacher in Lisle.

With his children grown and his business stable, he decided it was time to give back in a new way by running for the school board, offering his business acumen as a potential boon to the board.

"I think having longevity in the community and the work experience I've had with having to build consensus - I think I can bring a conservative voice without alienating everybody," Weeks said.

But in the spring election he was perhaps one of the most frequently attacked candidates. Critics questioned how both his religious background and fiscally conservative leanings would affect the district.

Weeks said he was shocked by the harshness of the attacks that categorized his money-conscious approach as anti-schools.

"I say I am for strong schools, not just now, but 10 years from now, and I know what it takes to get there and hard choices that have to be made," Weeks said. "I'm not willing to settle so we can install fancy programs today just to sell the future away and say that's someone else's problem."

Some also tried to use his religious background against him, saying he would try to infuse his beliefs into the schools.

Weeks dismissed those claims, too. He said values are tied into education, but he doesn't believe public schools should be teaching a single set of them.

"As much as I believe - in the veracity of the word of God and creationism, I do not believe the public schools should be teaching that as the single value system," he said. "But I do believe we should be exposing kids to values in general on every level."

When it comes to curriculum in general, he feels board members should take a hands-off approach, leaving specific details to the experts they've hired.

But business matters are a different story, and one of the biggest this year will be contract negotiations with the teachers union. Weeks believes there needs to be better communication between the union and the district, and the district, in turn, must be more open with the public.

"I'm not saying we invite them (the public) into every meeting we have, but to let them know (how things are going) because there are going to be some changes," he said.

"It's not going to be a contract like any of the others. It may be a very short, severe contract, or it might be a multiyear contract with lesser raises, but some raises. Who knows?"

Weeks said he considers himself someone who is a leader, empathetic and able to make tough decisions. While he may be opinionated, he said he also recognizes he has a lot to learn and is eager to do so.