Dist. 70 candidates stress communication

Libertyville District 70 isn't facing any pressing problems or contentious issues, but residents still may see a greater flow of information regarding school matters.

Though fairly extensive avenues to communicate with the public already are in place, the 11 candidates running for four school board seats on April 7 agree that sharing more details may be in order.

Principals at each of the five schools e-mail parents when online newsletters have been posted, for example. Also, a newsletter that includes an annual report, budget information and news of major changes, is mailed quarterly to all residents and businesses in the district.

The district also relays major information, such as the recent hiring of a new superintendent, to parents via e-mail, and most employees are told to respond to questions within a 24-hour period during a normal business week.

The Daily Herald asked the candidates their opinion of communication in the district. Following are their responses.

Attorney Tom Vickers said he'd like to see greater use of the Web site.

"I recognize there are certain things you just can't broadcast (but) I'd like to see the board meetings streamed on the Web," he said. "The budget should be on the Web site. Different contracts should be on the Web site."

Incumbent Joy Schwerman, a human resources director, said communication is an important element at this juncture.

"It's one of the issues we are stressing very much, especially in the coming year because we have a new superintendent coming on board," she said.

Pat Quenan, a stay-at-home dad, suggested daytime board meetings as a possibility to increase public involvement.

"The amount of communication and the types of communication will need to be very different," he said. "I don't think we can expect taxpayers to just come to the meetings."

Individual schools do a good job of getting the word out to parents, said Jason Newman, owner of a business that provides speech, behavioral therapy and other services to children.

"I do think the board can improve its communication with the community," he said. Technology allows for information to be shared by schools in a more unified way.

"We now have a better way to do that," he said.

Commercial banker Tom Milowski, who ran as a write-in candidate two years ago, says the board meetings are "a little too orchestrated." He said the board and administrators always have been available, however, and have done an "outstanding" job.

"There's no problem in my opinion with the communication. Maybe the style could be better." He also suggested more give and take between the district and the high schools.

Attorney Tim McGrory described district communication as "very good" although it should be monitored to ensure continued quality.

Jennifer Lund, a stay-at-home mom and former scientist, said the Web site can be used to provide more information. Involving interested parties in school board meetings via teleconference was something to consider, she said.

"There should be a public meeting that's more interactive," she said.

Incumbent and current board president Inna Kerrigan says the board needs to be transparent. Issues that will be up for an official vote at a later time are discussed during informal committee of the whole meetings "but we don't have much public attendance." She said she'd like to find ways the public could be more involved at board meetings.

"We have to be careful not to micromanage," she said of district efforts to provide and share information.

Cathy Jackson, a retired teacher, said residents don't always have time to read newsletters. Board members need to attend functions, such as association meetings, she said.

"Communication to people has to be something that's short and sweet. In order to produce that type of communication, you have to be involved." Issues such as state legislation may best be shared in that manner rather than on a Web site, she said.

Anne Brandt, who works part-time at a nursery school and heads the Butterfield Family Association, said board meetings are not welcoming to the public and people get defensive if they feel left in the dark.

"There's no reason people should feel things are being kept a secret from them," she said. "The Web site for me is a big thing."

With 20 years, longtime educator Laura Beltchenko is the senior board member. The assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction for Wauconda District 118 says the public may not realize that items voted on at regular board meetings have previously been discussed publicly at committee of the whole meetings.

"We don't have enough people come to that meeting," she said.

She said information is made available to everyone, including senior citizens, regarding how their tax money is being spent.