John Bomher: 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: WheatonWebsite: http://www.johnbomher.comOffice sought: Wheaton-Warrenville Unit D200Age: 50Family: Married to Pattie for 25 years. Three children who attend or have graduated from District 200.Occupation: Attorney/Executive, Illinois Hospital Association 22 yearsEducation: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign* Law, 1985* B.A., Political Science, 1982Civic involvement: Member, District 200 Finance Committee, 2009, 2010, 2002 - 2004Co-Chair, Friends of the Schools, 2002-2003Co-Chair, Citizens for Referendum '99, 1999Co-Chair, Citizens for Referendum '98, 1998PTA School Board Observer, 2000 - 2003Member Longfellow School Task Force, 1998Volunteer Coach, Wheaton Park District, 1998 - 2010Member, St. Michael Catholic Church, 1988 - 2011Elected offices held: Board Member, Community Unit School District 200, 2003 - PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I am running for re-election because I want to continue to provide each student with the opportunity to achieve his or her potential in a fiscally responsible manner.Education is the key to success. With two sons having recently graduated from Wheaton North High School and a third currently in middle school, I understand the importance of providing our children with a high quality education. For our country to continue to prosper, our children must be able to compete with those from China, India and Singapore.My vision is for District 200 to challenge every student, without exception, to acquire a core academic knowledge, master basic skills, and pursue excellence. We need to provide a rigorous learning environment that cultivates good character and where students acquire a broad based education, develop critical thinking skills and learn to communicate effectively.To succeed, we need to attract quality teachers and administrators and provide facilities that enhance the educational program. Yet, we must do so with fiscal discipline #8211; taxpayers must receive a good value for their investment. Key Issue 2 As a Board member, my primary responsibility is to set the goals for the District and then hold the Superintendent accountable for achieving those goals. By understanding the Board#146;s role and not micromanaging the Superintendent and staff, we are moving District 200 from #147;good#148; to #147;great#148;. I will continue to employ this philosophy to guide the District over the next four years. Examples of our accomplishments over the past four years include:• New Hubble Middle School completed on time on budget.• $14 million budget deficit eliminated without raising taxes.• Fiscally responsible contracts negotiated with teachers, administrators and staff. • Improved scores on State math, reading and ACT tests.• New Superintendent hired.• New web site launched.• Newsweek Magazine ranked Wheaton North High School as one of the #147;Nation#146;s Top High Schools#148;.Key Issue 3 As a Board member and representative of the community, it is important that the District work to preserve and enhance its communications with the community. I believe it is important that we always provide community members with the opportunity to share their opinions and ideas with the Board and that the District find cost effective avenues to keep the community informed. For example, during deliberations on budget reductions the last two years, I have sought to have community forums where parents, teachers and others could share their views on how we should proceed with these difficult decisions. Similarly, the Board has reinstituted #147;Chance to Chat#148; sessions on Saturday mornings to provide citizens with the opportunity to informally dialogue with Board members and the Superintendent on any issue they want to discuss. Finally, the District recently launched a new web site to improve communications with parents, students and the community.As we look forward, the District will continue to face many challenges. Through full and frank debate, we will find the best solutions to those challenges. I will continue to welcome and promote that type of robust discussion.Questions Answers How would you like to see the former Hubble Middle School property in downtown Wheaton redeveloped?First, we should be clear that the City of Wheaton, not District 200, will control how the former Hubble Middle School property is redeveloped. The City controls the zoning of the property which will effectively determine how the property can be used.I have supported the School Board#146;s position to sell the property for re-development, with the proceeds of the sale being used to pay off the District#146;s existing bond debt. Redeveloping the property for commercial or residential use would result in the property being placed on the tax rolls, thereby reducing the burden on taxpayers for future years. I appreciate the interest recently expressed by the Wheaton Park District in purchasing the property and will consider all offers once the property is formally put up for bid or auction. With a large portion of the property likely to remain green space since it is located in a flood plain, I would like to see the key players explore the possibility of some type of shared use of the property between commercial development and public space. At the end of the day, I continue to believe that this presents a unique opportunity to reshape the gateway to downtown Wheaton in a way that balances the desire for green space with the opportunity to act as a catalyst for commercial development.What are you thoughts about some wanting the Hubble property to become a Wheaton Park District facility?As a Wheaton resident, father and former Park District coach who has spent many hours at Hubble participating in Wheaton Park District programs, I understand and appreciate the desire by some to have the Hubble property become a Wheaton Park District facility. As a Board member for District 200, I have an obligation to act in the best interest of our students and taxpayers. A large percentage of the property in District 200 is not on the property tax rolls #8211; it is owned by park districts, other government units and churches. This means that residential homeowners have to carry more of the property tax burden. Given the financial pressure on the school district, the city and other local governments, I believe a key factor to be considered with regard to the options to redevelop Hubble is what future revenue each option is likely to generate for the school district, park district and City. What is your view of the federal No Child Left Behind standards?District 200 has made substantial progress in meeting the No Child Left Behind standards. This has been accomplished by having the curriculum aligned to the state standards, promptly identifying students who need additional support, and using targeted strategies to assist those students.I support the No Child Left Behind Act#146;s objectives of strong academic achievement for all children and closing the achievement gap. I believe that there needs to be a system of accountability that helps ensure all children, including children from low-income families, with disabilities, and of limited English proficiency, are prepared to be successful, participating members of our democracy. At the same time, I believe there are some aspects of the Act that could be improved. For example, I believe that measuring progress based on the student#146;s improvement in achievement as well as their progress toward satisfying a predetermined level of proficiency should be considered.If elected to the school board, how would you address District 200's ongoing budgetary issues?The prudent fiscal management exercised in the last two years must continue. Specifically, I will seek the adoption of a formal policy to set expectations and goals related to the District#146;s budget and financial condition. Having served as the Board representative to the District Finance committee and on the District#146;s negotiating team for the most recent teacher#146;s contract, I fully appreciate the financial challenges facing the District.Like many school districts and other governmental bodies, District 200 was hit hard by the #147;Great Recession#148;. Costs increased while revenues stagnated. Over the past two years, District 200 eliminated a $14 million operating deficit and has a balanced budget for the current school year. This was done without asking for a property tax increase. This financial challenge was confronted by asking the administration, teachers and staff to identify options for closing this deficit so that all would share in the sacrifice. The Board also asked a Finance Committee that included parents and local citizens to offer recommendations for addressing the crisis. At the same time, new contracts were negotiated with the teachers and staff that helped hold the line on salaries and benefits. As we look forward, it will be critical for the administration, teachers and staff to continue to work together so that we can continue to offer a high quality education to our students in as cost effective a manner as possible. Considering the problems that the state has had providing funding for school districts, should District 200 consider asking local voters to approve a property tax increase to raise additional money for the education fund?The District#146;s operating budget has improved in recent years and a substantial deficit has now been eliminated. This fact, combined with the continued economic uncertainty, suggests that a tax increase to fund operations is not likely in the immediate future. However, the District continues to face budget pressures due to increased costs for health insurance, transportation, heating, lighting, etc. Many of these costs are increasing faster than the rate of inflation. At the same time, the largest revenue source for the District #8211; local property taxes #8211; is essentially capped at the rate of inflation. Additionally, state and federal mandates and demand from parents for new and enhanced programs continue. These factors, combined with uncertainty regarding state funding, could challenge the District#146;s financial stability.