Tom Trefilek: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: LombardWebsite: http://www.TT4SchoolBoard.comOffice sought: Glenbard H.S. D87Age: 60Family: Wife: Cherie Children: Alex - Ensign in the Navy Ben - Butler University Olivia - University of St Thomas Spencer - Glenbard East High SchoolOccupation: Ortho-Med Services, Inc., Owner, Distributor/Sales Representative of Orthopedic ProductsEducation: Bachelor of Science in Commerce, DePaul UniversityMaster of Science, Physical Education, George Williams CollegeMaster Board Member Level IICivic involvement: Chairperson of Troop 140 Pack/Scout Pancake Breakfast. Glenbard East Future Rams - Girls Basketball CoachBooster Club MemberPast President of the Elmhurst YMCA and Villa Park Swim TeamsDuPage Swim Conference Official and RefereeFormer IHSA Basketball OfficialFormer 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 2007-2011Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Even in these tough economic times, District 87 must continue having a balance budget and maintain solvency. Maintain highest Financial Recognition status with ISBE. Also D87 must continue not to issue Tax Anticipation Warrants (TAW). With the State in financial problems and potential national inflation, it will be a challenge. The District and Board has been financial responsible these past years and must continue to do so in the future. The district must continue to bring the best education possible to the community with the fund given.Key Issue 2 An area which needs constant monitoring is the unfunded mandates to our schools by our Legislature and the Illinois School Board of Education. Unfunded mandates can cost the district millions of dollars over the years. They can come to the district as a new law or a state#146;s organization declaration. The district bears the cost.Key Issue 3 One out of five students in the district is in reduced or free lunch program based upon federal poverty standards. The district must ensure that all students have the opportunity to participate in programs that require fees such as AP tests, ACT review courses, and extracurricular activities. The District must continue to give all students to chance to succeed.Questions Answers What are your thoughts on the district's recent move to a standard curriculum across all four schools?We are ensuring that all students receive a common district curriculum which raises the bar. The district owes each student the experience of a rigorous curriculum. The District#146;s has the responsibility to close the achievement gap and have the support systems developed for students who need extra assistance. Honor and AP courses will still exist. Also, there is a movement nationally to evaluate teacher performance on student achievement and a common curriculum will help. We are currently working with our feeder schools on their curriculum so the students will be ready to meet this rigorous curriculum upon entering high school. Currently we offer a bridge program during the summer for incoming freshman. How does the district maintain its momentum, budget-wise, after digging out of a huge deficit in recent years to essentially break even this year?D87 has done a great job reducing cost, centralizing purchasing and energy efficiency programs. D87 has done a great job reducing cost, centralizing purchasing and energy efficiency programs. The factors which the district has no control: The CPI has been very low these past years. State funding #8211; can we depend on it? Healthcare costs are rising and inflation is looming in the U.S. economy. With these negative factors, D87 has maintained a balanced budget, maintain solvency and no TAW (Tax Anticipation Warrants) for the past 5 years. Also D87 received the highest financial recognition from the Illinois School Board of Education. Factors to maintain our momentum: A fiscally responsible teacher#146;s contact. We still need the best teachers for our students but this is our largest cost. Studies show that our enrollment the next 5 years will decrease about 700 students. With lights coming soon and turf installed last year, how do you maximize the benefits that Memorial Field at West provides to the district? Should anything be done to accommodate nearby residents who have complained about this?I don#146;t know if lights will be coming soon. The Village has to approve any variances and then the D87 Board must approve. After that private funds must be raised in the amount of $300,000. No tax payer money would be used.With lights in the spring and fall will extend the use of Memorial Field. This gives the students a safe field to play games or practice on. Also benefits West having more home games. Keeps student on campus and improves West#146;s pride and spirit. In the summer West can host summer camps and park district games. The community concerns are important. The new light technology has less light spill off from the field. The light is directed at the field and not at the community. We should have a limit of 10pm to end playing. To keep the sound down West would follow Village ordinances. For the West game we would only use a portable sound system for introduction and play by play. Rentals would not be able to use any sound system. Traffic safety is a big concern. There will probably be increase traffic flow but there is limited seating being proposed in the enhancements so the attendance may not be significant. Crescent Blvd. improvement by the Village will add to the safety. I also see the businesses in the area benefiting from the games at Memorial Field.In light of an incident at Glenbard South High School last year in which violent-sounding notes were passed among students, how do you balance parents' need to know with students' privacy when such situations arise?As a parent, I feel that I need to know more than the government allows. The school works closely with the local police and follows certain procedures based on the circumstances. The District is really concerned about the safety of the students and I know the district board does not tolerate those students behavior. If the authorities felt children were in danger they would protect them. Communication to the parents is necessary to inform them of the situations so they can make decisions about their children#146;s welfare and avoid rumors. Unfortunately schools cannot control outside sources like social media.How satisfied are you that your district is 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?I am very satisfied on how we are the preparing our district students to succeed. We are planning a rigorous curriculum which was developed with the feeder schools. The feeder schools will know what skills their students entering Glenbard 87 as freshman need to be successful. Studies have shown those students are better prepared with rigorous curriculum for succeeding in college and being prepared for the workforce training programs. I can see problems with students who move in to our district and have not been in a rigorous curriculum. A support system is needed to help them catch up to the Glenbard system. This may be summer school or different classes during the school year. Remember we want all students succeed.