This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

Batavia School Board Candidates Divided on Spending Issues, Skill Sets

News Analysis: The most fiscally conservative at Tuesday's candidates forum were, in order, Karner, Stoops, Locke, Gaspar and Bleakley. Papka and Grizaffi were unable to attend.

The balancing act between School District 101 spending and quality of education was the main point of contention between the five candidates who took part in Tuesday night's candidates forum, hosted by the League of Women Voters of Central Kane County.

Two School Board candidates—Mike Papka and Gary Grizaffi—were unable to attend the forum, held at the Batavia Public Library.

Among the rest, there appeared to be a small philosphical divide between the two trained educators and the three candidates who participate in Batavia school affairs primarily as parents and Parent-Teacher Organiziation members.

Find out what's happening in Bataviawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

All five candidates emphasized providing the best quality education at the most affordable cost, but between the lines were subtle hints of a lean in the push-me-pull-you of affordable and quality education.

On Tuesday night, Jim Karner most often repeated the mantra of fiscal responsiblity. Tina Bleakley, the incumbent, said directly that she would be willing to accept a property-tax increase before she would accept a slip from a top-quality education.

Find out what's happening in Bataviawith free, real-time updates from Patch.

If Bleakley's and Karner's positions were at two ends of a spectrum, the order might have been Bleakley, Jonathan Gaspar, Susan Locke, Jason Stoops and Karner, based solely on their comments Tuesday night.

The School Board candidates were asked questions written by audience members, ranging from the use of cursive writing in the classroom to common core curriculum changes to technology spending to an assessment of a recent committee recommendation to pay as much as $13 million for new athletic fields and artificial turf at Batavia High School.

The candidates were in accord on most of those topics, although there was some disagreement regarding whether the athletic-field spending was simply good long-range planning or a "just say no" line in the sand.

Yes, labels are patently unfair, but for voters who want to simplify their choices in the April 9 election, here's what I came up with after seeing and hearing the candidates Tuesday:

  • The School Board Incumbent (Bleakley)
  • The Educator (Gaspar)
  • The PTO President (Locke)
  • The Business Professional (Stoops)
  • The Fiscal Conservative (Karner)

Here's a more-nuanced summary:

 

Tina Bleakley 

Key Qualification/Issue: Tina Bleakley is the only incumbent among the seven candidates for Batavia School Board; She also chairs the Batavia Interschool Council. “My experiences as a board member are invaluable,” she said.

Profession: Certified Social Worker Specializing in School Districts of Kane and Kendall County

Kids in School: Three.

On Fiscal Issues: “No one wants to raise taxes, but if we had to raise taxes to keep Batavia a top-performing district, I would be willing to do that.”

Three Priorities: (1) a balanced budget, (2) enhance communication between the board and the community, (3) keep working with the administration and teachers union "to continue our great relationships."

Quotable: “To me, it’s about making sure our students are taken care of. I don’t have three children in Batavia schools, I have 6,500 children.”

 

Jonathan E. Gaspar

Key Qualification/Issue: Both Gaspar and his wife are longtime educators; He teaches in Aurora and his wife in St. Charles.

“I hope my knowledge as a teacher and not as an administrator might give the perspective of what is needed in the classroom, because I believe that is the No. 1 goal.”

Profession: Industrial Arts Teacher at Waldo Middle School in Aurora, 33 years

Kids in School: One daughter, a junior at Batavia High School

On Fiscal Issues: “School Board members need to be fiscally responsible, just as we are in our own homes.”

Three Priorities: (1) Fiscally responsible, (2) safe schools, students, (3) keep quality teachers and administrators.

Quotable: “I believe in a strong curriculum, I believe in the common core standards.”

 

Jim Karner 

Key Qualification/Issue: Fiscal Responsibility

“I think we have a need for somebody with a financially conservative voice in this district. I think it’s important that we maintain some sort of fiscal discipline.”

Profession: Stay-at-home dad, formerly a financial adviser

Kids in School: Father of four grade-school-age children

On Fiscal Issues: “I’ve been talking to my neighbors, and I know they’re hurting with these increased taxes. I think we need to take some responsibilities. If you vote for me, you can count on me to fight for that end.”

Three Priorities: (1) Fiscal responsibility, (2) maximizing communication between board members and citizens, (3) "It’s about the kids. I want this school district to provide the best for them."

Quote: “I strongly believe we cannot raise taxes on people in Batavia. We already tried to raise taxes on several occasions … (But) we need to concentrate on getting back to reducing class sizes for our students and our teachers. It’s important that we get the best value out of the dollars we’re spending in the budget.”

 

Susan G. Locke

Key Qualification/Issue: Mom and PTO President at Alice Gustafson School

“I’m just a mom who’s trying to do the best she can for her kids. That’s what I will do if I’m elected and sit on the board. I will represent your kids and your tax dollars.”

Profession: Small-business owner

Kids in School: Two children attend Alice Gustafson

On Fiscal Issues: “I would not be in favor of raising taxes. I want to look to where we could cut something else.”

Three Priorities: (1) Fiscal responsibility and a balanced budget, (2) "communication is huge," (3) "ultimately, I would like to see smaller class sizes."

Quotable: “Class size has definitely become and issue, and I think that’s something that needs to be looked at. I’m just a mom, I’m the PTO president at Alice Gustafson, I’m in the schools all the time and I’d like to make a difference.”

 

Jason Stoops 

Key Qualification/Issue: Bacherlor's degree in economics and professional experience

“I believe my experience and background with fiscal responsibility would (benefit the School Board.) … Being responsible for current and future spending would be the top priority on my list.”

Profession: Runs a full-service staffing firm, also a majority partner in running a real estate investment firm

Kids in School: Three daughters, J.B. Nelson School and oldest at Rotolo Middle School

On Fiscal Issues: “Fiscal responsibility needs to be evaluated. It’s not so much what we should cut but what we should not add in the future. The Batavia athletic field (proposal) is one example. (It’s) not something I would support at this time.”

Three Priorities: (1) fiscal responsibility, (2) support common core standards, (3) evenly distribute resources and funds available to all schools

Quotable: “You have to want to learn to be on this School Board, and that’s what’s driven me.”

 

Not present:

  • Mike Papka, 45, a research scientist for Argonne National Laboratory and associate professor of computer science at Northern Illinois University.
  • Gary Grizaffi, 49, assistant superintendent of administrative services for Valley View Community Unit School District 365U. 

Read More

Download the movie

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?