District 113A Candidates Square Off at Tea Party Event: Live Forum Blog

9:10 p.m.

Proft asks all candidates if any of them have accepted campaign contributions from the Tea Party. All candidates say no.

9:05 p.m.

Proft gives candidates the opportunity to ask their own questions of specific candidates. All decline except Aurelio and Hughes.

Q: Would current board members support not using the $20 million bonds all at once, that way the board can recall the bonds if they do not need them? (Asked by Aurelio of the current board members)

Taylor: Declines to answer the question. Says there are certain rules about discussing board issues in the public, and because there were a certain number of board members present, he says he feels uncomfortable answering.

Murphy: Says the board is governed by certain laws, and that it would be very difficult to do that.

Hughes: Says the referendum won't pass. Thinks the board is wasting people's time and money and efforts on something that has no chance of passing because nothing has changed.

Q: How could you approve budgets that spent more money that what we took in? (Asked by Hughes, directed to Sue Murphy)

Murphy: Says individual board members do not make decisions. They act as a whole. "One person alone does not make any of these decisions."

9 p.m.

Proft asks if any of the board members have accepted donations from Citizens for District 113A or the PTO. All candidates say no.

8:58 p.m.

Q: For current board members, why should voters elect you back on the board?

Hughes: Says she was elected in 2009 and uncovered the financial problem. Says she's not part of the problem, and that she's trying to bring openness and honesty to the board.

Murphy: Says she understand people's concern. Says she's a person of integrity. There was no mismanagement. She says a "perfect storm" hit Lemont, and they knew it would happen eventually. Says reforms are in place, there's a balanced budget. She believes they have done their jobs as board members.

Taylor: Says he's barely been on the board for a year. Since he's been on the board, there has been no deficit spending. The board has adopted policies to with regards to finances, and has taken steps to restore the public's trust.

8:53 p.m.

Proft asks candidates to raise their hands if they would support putting the check registry on the District 113A website. All candidates raised their hands.

8:45 p.m.

Q: Are teachers overpaid, underpaid or fairly compensated?

Taylor: Says the district did not make AYP because of subgroups. The district should be striving to get every group, but there are limits to how far they can go with limited spending. Other scores are very good, he says. Thinks the teachers have been providing very good education, so thinks they are getting fairly compensated.

Reigle: Says the pay is fairly compensated, but takes issue with benefits package.

Murphy: Wishes teachers could be paid more, but believes they are fairly compensated for the economic climate. No Child Left Behind is unfunded federal mandate put on districts. Statement that the district did not make AYP does not reflect overall quality of education in District 113A.

Molitor: Thinks teachers are in tough work environment with large class sizes, so they probably feel like they're underpaid for what they're doing. However, he feels they receive adequate compensation.

Malley: Believes the teachers are fairly compensated and the taxpayers are getting a lot for their money.

Kelly: Says it's stressful as a substitute teacher in classes with so many kids. Teachers earn every penny they make, especially this past year.

Hughes: Thinks teachers are fairly compensated, but is concerned about administration. Takes issue with taxpayers paying for the administrators' benefits.

Bradley: Says the teachers are paid on a salary schedule based on experience and education. Thinks if the teachers thought they were underpaid they would likely seek employment somewhere else.

Aurelio: Believes teachers are fairly compensated.

8:30 p.m.

Q: What is your opinion on Superintendent Tim Ricker's performance and thefuture of his contract, including the costs that would be associated with terminating that contract?

Aurelio: Says he's aware of his contract. Adds he is not happy with his performance.

Molitor: Says he's concerned with the legal costs. The district should look at his performance in 2013 when it expires.

Reigle: Reads Ricker's contract, including a clause about failure to perform his duties. Says she thinks the clause speaks for itself.

Murphy: Says she doesn't feel comfortable discussing the contract.

Bradley: Says the community wants change, and that may require the superintendent to go.

Hughes: Says the superintendent's contract is available on her website, but not on the district's. Thinks there is just cause to terminate his contract, but it's a matter of getting the board in place to do it.

Kelly: Thinks she would look for another superintendent if she was on the board, but only when his contract is expired. Thinks there would be too many costs associated with an early termination.

Malley: Thinks the board needs to wipe the slate clean.

8:22 p.m.

Proft asks is anyone is in favor of state takeover. None of the candidates raised their hands.

Q: Is the threat of state takeover real?

Malley: Asked ISBE what would trigger state takeover. "I do believe threat is real, but it's not tied to referendum."

Kelly: Also talked to ISBE. Says she was told the state would come in to see what money was needed to become financially stable.

Murphy: "The state does not want to take us over. That would be a last resort. I believe the paperwork was ready to go, but we were able to get funding through the generosity of District 210."

Q: For those who oppose the referendum, how will the district get tax anticipation warrants if they can't get a bank to issue them?

Bradley: Thinks it was a healthy thing to get money from Lemont High School District 210 because the interest stays within the community. Argued for a unit district between the elementary district and the high school.

Hughes: Says she asked why the banks denied District 113A for tax anticipation warrants in December. Thinks the board needs to be open and honest with the community.

Reigle: Agrees with Bradley. Thinks interest would be lower on tax anticipation warrants.

8:15 p.m.

According to a presentation last week from Liberty Markets, expenditures have been exceeding revenue when enrollment has been declining. Why would another $20 million help?

Malley: "I agree with the statistics. There is no money, and while we fight about it, there are kids hurting ... As a father, I'm worried about my child's education."

Molitor: Says the board made a decision to educate kids regardless of deficit spending. The board needs to start saving money because the state and county are falling behind on payments. Says $8 million will help build reserves.

Aurelio: Says he is only supporting the referendum because the district is broke and needs the money.

Murphy: Says the bottom line is that teachers like to be paid and the district needs to go to referendum to do that.

Taylor: Says there's no way to manage classroom sizes and keep teachers without passing a referendum.

Kelly: Says the board will do what it promises with the referendum money and operate on a balanced budget.

8 p.m.

Q: For those candidates that oppose the referendum, what would you do to address the financial situation if you were elected to the school board?

Bradley: Says he would plan to use $2 million surplus in district budget to do whatever is necessary to improve the situation.

Hughes: Says she has called the Illinois State Board of Education and requested someone address the District 113A Board on what's at stake. Thinks the district needs to cut at the top and work its way down.

Reigle: Says she went down to Springfield to meet with officials about District 113A. At the end of the fiscal year, there will be a surplus to put into the district's account. Claims the surplus will continue each year for the next few years. Thinks a viable solution is to bring back staff and not make such drastic cuts. Says she talked with ISBE about state takeover in District 113A, and that there is no documentation proving there is no way to get tax anticipation warrants.

7:53 p.m.

Q: What is your position on the referendum, and what would you say to those who claim a "no" vote means you don't support education?

Taylor: "Personally, I'm voting for it. The schools are unfunded ... Just looking at budget, there's not much left to cut ... The reason there's a question on the ballot is so the community can make a decision ... I'm not going to tell you which way to vote. You need to vote the way your conscience tells you to vote."

Reigle: "I'm voting no for the referendum ... I have done some research into this. I don't necessarily think funding is 100 percent the issue. I don't think saying we don't care about the kids is a true statement."

Murphy: "As a community member, I support the referendum ... I believe we do need systemic change. The other part of the question — this is the United States of America. This is why we all get to vote ... I think it's our community's decision to decide. I don't think a no vote means you're against education. I think it means you have a right to do what you want.

Molitor: "I am voting yes for the referendum ... There's a definite need for funding. We're just not keeping up with expenses ... If people vote no, it's because they're voting with their conscience, or they have other reasons."

Malley: "I am supporting it. I'm not happy about it because I don't think it's the best choice. I'm relunctantly supporting it because I think it's the best thing for the classroom ... The situation we're in now isn't good."

Kelly: "Yes, I am in favor of the referendum ... This will allow the district to avoid state takeover. State takeover would have ramifications for citizens and businesses.

Hughes: "I'm opposed to raising taxes ... The board has not been open and honest with us, and now they want us to bail them out again ... This board has been unable to solve this financial problem without raising taxes, and I say enough is enough."

Bradley: "I'm voting no for the referendum, and it's not because I'm against education ... It's never been proven successful to throw money at something going down the drain ... My opinion is you take (tax anticipation warrants) and supplement the need for cash when you need it."

Aurelio: "I'm voting yes, but I am a fiscal conservative and normally vote against tax increases ... I have and I hope you do have serious reservations about giving $20 million to this current board ... There's no reason to issue a $20 million bond."

7:40 p.m.

Proft says he knows all of the candidates are qualified

7:32 p.m.

Reigle defends criticism of Freedom of Information Act requests that Molitor claimed have cost District 113A thousands of dollars. She said the requests were the only way for the community to learn what was going on.

"It was well worth the cost," she said.

7:21 p.m.

Candidates are introducing themselves through prepared statements.

Many individuals, including Tea Party members, applauded after Hughes finished her statement. Molitor also received a loud applause.

7 p.m.

Proft informs the audience that the candidates will each have five minutes to introduce themselves, and will then answer questions.

6:50 p.m.

The event is just getting started and all nine candidates are present and accounted for. Dan Proft, former candidate for Illinois governor and WLS-AM 890 radio personality, will serve as the moderator.

Things start off with a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance.

6:45 p.m.

Thanks for stopping by Lemont Patch as we live blog from the Lemont Tea Party's forum for school board candidates in Lemont-Bromberek Combined School District 113A.

There are four seats open on the District 113A Board. Nine individuals are running, including write-in candidate , a current board member. Candidates on the ballot are: , , , , , , and .