Election Issues: District 113A Candidates Talk Central School

On March 4, Patch published its , a complete guide to the April 5 consolidated election in Lemont. There you'll find voter information, recent election news and complete candidate biographies.

Before Lemont voters head to the polls, Patch wants to give readers an opportunity to compare where candidates for the School Board stand on key issues. We will publish the questions in separate posts over the next two weeks, along with responses from all nine candidates.

Are you in favor of closing ? Why or why not?

If the referendum does not pass I would be in favor of any measure that would
reduce the need to cut more teachers and keep the class sizes from becoming any
bigger. It is estimated that the board will need to cut another $670,000 from our
budget next year to balance it. Closing Central will save us $356,747 per year. It
is not all we would have to cut but it is a start.

No. However, in the future with declining enrollment, it may make sense to close Central School after making a full analysis of the situation at hand. The Board members making the decision should responsibly consider the impact on the parents, children and staff directly affected, as well as the benefit/loss to taxpayers and others indirectly affected by closing the school, in addition to the financial aspects.

I am not in favor of the closing because it isn't necessary. This is another empty threat from the current Board to force passage of the referendum. If elected, I will work with the Board to reverse any decision to close the school.

I am against closing of Central School. The proposed savings are immaterial when compared to the costs in terms of what our students would lose.

This community has had four schools since combining with Bromberek School. Ten years ago, when enrollment and revenues were lower, four schools were needed and used. This community should continue and needs to have four schools. 

I believe that closing Central school is fiscally responsible, especially given our current financial state. The district can save a significant amount of money by using existing facilities and without raising class sizes. I would rather close a school than have fewer teachers.

Central is currently using eleven classrooms; there are considerably more than eleven open classrooms available in the other district buildings. Those students would not be added to existing classes, they would be relocated to their own classrooms in a different school.

I think it is important to keep in mind that while the building may be closed, the faculty and students would be absorbed into other buildings in the district. It is the people, not the building, that make Central a great school.

Another question with no simple answer. Should the referendum not pass, closing Central School may be the only option. The School Board is already expecting reductions in revenue for next year of $670,000. In order to actually start building funds again, they may need to cut yet another $500,000. The closing of Central school will save approximately $350,000. Removing three bus routes that are no longer reimbursed by the state would save another $120,000. This means that even more admin/teacher cuts may be needed.

Should the referendum pass, we would need to keep Central open to return anything more than four teachers (the number of classrooms left available without Central).

I am not in favor of closing Central School because it represents the history of Lemont and is loved by many families — mine included. It is a wonderful small school with an excellent principal, teachers and staff. With all that said, if the district’s financial position does not change it might be necessary to close Central School to reduce expenses. That is not what I would choose but I am willing to make the difficult decisions needed to maintain a great education for our children.

The current board claimed at a Board meeting last month that an additional $670,000 must be cut from next year’s budget to comply with the state-mandated financial plan. When I spoke with the person who oversees our state financial plan, she told me our plan can be amended. I believe that no more cuts are needed, and certainly not $670,000 worth of cuts. The Board said they had to choose between additional cuts to teachers or to close Central School. I believe this is a false choice.

I believe a reasonable and conservative estimate of the increase in revenue for operations next year is well above $1 million.

Since we are running a $2 million surplus and reasonably expect well above $1 million in new revenue for operations next year, I see no good reason to close Central School. Further, the savings from closing Central School was estimated at about $350,000. Next year’s total revenue will be over $30 million (1.16 percent of the budget). The money is there, and the additional service cuts of $670,000 are not needed. If elected, I will vote to rescind the closing of Central School because it is not needed.

No, I do not favor closing Central School at this time. The current Board and administration’s cuts to programs, services and teachers that directly affects our students have been “self-centered.” I believe we need to make “child-centered” decisions and begin cutting at the top with administrative positions, salaries and benefits instead.

Editor's Note: Each candidate was allowed a maximum 200 words for their response.