District 301 school board candidates talk about transparency, trust

Challengers for the Burlington-based Central Unit District 301 school board cite curbing rising taxes and addressing a lack of transparency and trust in the district administration and board as key issues in the race.

Two incumbents - Duane Schmitt of Burlington Township and Jeff Kellenberger of Plato Township - and five challengers - Tina Johnson and Michelle Schmidt, both of Elgin Township, and Neile Litton, Christina Johnson and Maria Crawford, all of Plato Township - are vying for three 4-year terms April 4. The board can have just three members from one township and currently has two members from Elgin.

Crawford, 49, an Elgin substitute teacher, said as educators grapple with growing emphasis on testing and changing standards, it seems administrative decisions are being handed down without teachers' involvement or a clear picture of the district's direction.

"Things are being implemented without any previous discussion," she said. "A lot of things are not discussed with the teaching staff. It has caused a lot of distrust and resentment. It seems the board has been rubber-stamping."

Tina Johnson, 47, of Elgin, a senior director of regional marketing for Scholastic Education, said district leaders have been less forthcoming in disseminating information, such as before passing a $22 million bond request in November to accommodate student enrollment growth at Burlington Central High School.

"Last fall's referendum, even though I was a parent sitting in those forums, I didn't feel lot of information was being shared," she said. "Lack of trust just naturally comes from lack of information."

The district could better use social media to keep the public informed, she added.

Litton, 47, of Elgin, a strategic account executive for WebMD, said rising taxes are forcing families out of the district. She added that the district needs a better way to communicate with parents than email.

"Communications needs to be in a simpler form," she said, adding using text alerts is a faster alternative.

Christina Johnson, 39, of Elgin, a self-employed educator, says lack of trust in district leadership stems from a lack of "connection between the board and the community."

The district's website doesn't offer basic biographical information on board members, nor are they visible in the community, she added.

"That's where people are going to get to know you and feel more connected," she said. "That's when they are going to start trusting you."

Schmidt, 50, of Elgin, an elementary school teacher, suggested school board members have community coffee nights or attend parent-teacher organization meetings for face-to-face interaction.

Schmitt, 61, of Hampshire, a retired construction superintendent and current school board vice president, said improving communications is an ongoing effort and that officials are working to upgrade the district website. Community members can get more details of what's on the board meeting agenda through the board book published online, and the district now has a mobile app, he added.

However, some of the other candidates said they weren't aware of the app.

Kellenberger, 52, of Elgin, a real estate broker and current school board president, said publishing the electronic board packet online was one of his first moves after being elected.

"We put that board book online for all members of the community to download so they would have the same access to the 100-, 200-page packet and can follow along," he said.

While board member gets complaints about not informing the public, he wonders why so few people show up at the meetings.

Kellenberger added that he wouldn't be opposed to video recording the meetings and posting them online, but officials would have to review the cost.

"It might be a good project for even some of the students," he said. "It is certainly something that we could consider."

Kellenberger said while the district's tax rate kept climbing because of the economic downturn affecting assessed valuations, the board and administration have worked hard to abate some taxes through retiring bonds.

A candidates forum is set for 7 to 9 p.m. March 21 at the Central High School library, 44W625 Plato Road in Hampshire.