School board races taking shape in districts 203, 204

Five hopefuls have filed to run for school board seats in both Naperville Unit District 203 and Indian Prairie Unit District 204.

Tuesday was the first day to turn in paperwork to compete in the April 7 election in two of the state's largest school systems. The filing period ends Jan. 26.

Each district has four open 4-year seats.

In District 203, incumbents Jackie Romberg and Vice President Susan Crotty made their candidacy official, as did challengers Merle Siefken, Nancy Drapalik and Steve Deutsch.

At least 12 residents picked up nominating packets but must obtain the necessary signatures and file them with the district to appear on the ballot.

Two other incumbents, Debbie Shipley and Dean Reschke, have said they are not running again.

Crotty, a professional organizer, is seeking a second term. She said there are many ongoing projects such as facility improvements and hiring a new superintendent and high school principals she would like to see to fruition.

Looking back on her first term, she said she's proud of negotiating a contract with bus drivers instead of outsourcing the service and of helping choose architects for facilities projects.

Romberg was appointed to the board in 2007. She is an active district volunteer and former financial consultant.

"I'm passionate about education and I really just want to make sure students of all abilities are reaching their full potential and ... I want to make sure students are achieving and for them to be ready for the global society they're coming into," she said.

Deutsch and Drapalik were two of Romberg's competitors for the 2007 appointment to fill the seat vacated by the resignation of Jim Caulfield.

Deutsch, who works for Morningstar Inc., has served on the district's facilities committee. He has run unsuccessfully for the board twice.

"I want to try again because I still think the board needs more common sense parents and not politicians," he said. "My impression really is that the current board and many of its aspirants are way too political, way too partisan and it has been detrimental to students and the community of District 203."

Drapalik is a reading teacher at Naper Elementary School and has been an active Home and School volunteer. She could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Siefken is new to running for school board but taught in the district for seven years at Kennedy and Lincoln junior highs. He is now the director of a project for the state board of education that helps form partnerships between parents and educators.

"I just feel involvement is important for any family and I wanted to be involved in District 203 any way I could. I would like to see 203 continue to move forward and be a progressive district that meets the needs of all its students," he said.

Five candidates also filed in neighboring District 204, which includes portions of Naperville, Aurora, Bolingbrook and Plainfield.

Incumbents Cathy Piehl and Christine Vickers were among those filing. Also filing Tuesday morning were Mark Riesing, Michael Strick and Janey Wagner.

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.

"I believe we have a lot of work to do for the students of District 204 and I want to be part of raising the educational, academic bar for 204 kids," she said.

Piehl, who was appointed to the board in September 2008, said she is still learning and wants to continue serving the district. She is looking forward to the opening of Metea Valley High School and wants to see the district implement additional "green" initiatives, which she said can be both cost-effective and a good example for students.

Riesing, Strick and Wagner could not be reached for comment.

Incumbents Jeannette Clark and John Stephens do not plan to seek re-election.

At least 17 residents picked up nominating packets in District 204.