District 68 candidates say planning, communication are keys

With only one of three incumbents running for re-election, there is guaranteed to be new blood on the Oak Grove District 68 school board.

But that doesn't necessarily translate to a change in direction. The five candidates for three open seats agree quality of education, teaching staff and community involvement are district strengths.

Refinements in long-term planning, continued assessment of curriculum and student performance and a close watch on finances, particularly given the potential impact of state action, are key issues.

A spirit of collaboration with teachers during ongoing contract negotiations and open communication with the community are musts, candidates agree.

On the ballot are: Amy Frantz, a freelance digital project manager; Anthony Giamis, a scientist/business manager at AbbVie; incumbent Lane Hasler, board vice president and an attorney specializing in corporate restructuring and construction; Martin Jacobs, a retired school administrator and educator with 33 years experience; and, Elaine Vong Salton, a stay-at-home parent and former manager at Abbott Laboratories.

The following is from Daily Herald endorsement interviews and questionnaires and other public sources.

Frantz served as secretary of the parent teacher organization in 2012-13 and has three kids attending Oak Grove. She said she passionate about education and the issues it faces.

Creating a strong vision and clear strategic plan is a priority, Frantz said.

"The more we continue to align our decision making, the better the outcomes are going to be both from an educational standpoint and a fiscal standpoint," she said. That should include a clear process for input, according to Frantz.

Giamis moved to the district four years ago and has two kids at Oak Grove, which he described as the "heart of the community." He said he is committed to transparency and improving communications.

"If we really want to proceed forward, we have to reestablish these layers of trust and communication between the different portions of our community - teachers, parents, students, administrators, the board - it has to be one of openness and discussion moving in line with a unified vision," Giamis said.

He said the financial picture is going to change and the district will have to be agile and share priorities with the public and other groups.

Hasler helped create and served as the first chairman of the board's finance and facilities committees. The groups established oversight, developed shared services with Libertyville District 70 and developed a comprehensive building and grounds renovation plan. As he did four years ago, Hasler is representing the board in teacher contract negotiations.

The atmosphere has changed considerably in his six years on the board, Hasler said, and continuity of service is needed as three board members have one year of service and three seats are open. Ongoing renovations and teacher contract talks are big issues he wants to see through.

"I've seen the district go from six years ago from very little in the way of controls in all areas - facilities, business - to a district that is by all comparisons running well," he said.

At his urging, the board has adopted a policy of first approving a budget and then setting the tax levy, rather than taking the maximum allowable tax increase every year, he said.

In making a run for the board, Jacobs, a retired educator, touts his 33 years experience as a teacher, coach, elementary school principal and administrator, and said he has a passion for education.

Being on both sides of the table would provide valuable insight as issues arise, he added.

Teachers are District 68's biggest strength. Attracting and retaining good ones is a priority, according to Jacobs, and those with extended experience should be rewarded.

As a board member, he said, he would always opt to take the maximum allowed tax levy.

"I would never turn down money. To me, a school is like a family and emergencies happen," he said.

Vong Salton has extensive volunteer experience with the district including the strategic planning team, foreign language task force and as founding member and former vice president of the Oak Grove Education Foundation.

She said Oak Grove needs to develop "clear, efficient and focused processes for evaluating, selecting, piloting and purchasing new curriculum" with the goal of continuous improvement.

She also said the strategic plan needs to be strengthened and trust between parents, teachers, administrators and the school board needs to improve.

She criticized board decisions in 2012 and 2013 to not levy to the maximum.

"When we cut our levy, we cut our future," she said.

She said the board needs to balance fiscal responsibility with strategic needs, particularly in light of possible state funding cuts or directives.