School Board Members Day in Illinois
by Jason Fields
Students of the Media Class had the
opportunity to interview school board members to honor them on
Sunday, November 15th for the School Board Members Day in Illinois.
A job well done to the following students: Bridget
Moore, Valerie Otto, Trevor Teal, Tom Marck, Briahna Marksity, Reba
Phipps, Angie Morrison
Below are the responses given:
Shari Teal
1. How long have you been a board member?
I have been a school board member since April 2009.
2. Why did you decide to run as a board member for Delavan
District 703?
I decided to run for the Delavan District 703 school board because
I not only have 3 children that are currently attending Delavan
school, Not only do I have a vested interest in the quality of
education my children receive but also other children in our
community are provided. Even though I did not attend Delavan, I
love our school and have a great deal of passion for our students,
teachers and our community. My husband graduated from Delavan High
School in 1985 and there is nothing more I would like than to have
all 4 of our children graduate from Delavan. Unfortunately it seems
that some of the smaller schools are not able to survive on their
own anymore and I am committed to help in whatever way I can to
ensure that our school survives. I have volunteered at the Delavan
Schools for over 14 years and have had the opportunity to see first
hand some of the challenges teachers face along with the challenges
the staff and administration face. I want students, teachers,
staff, administration and community members to feel comfortable
coming to the board and being able to voice their concerns and
opinions and not think that their opinions and suggestions don’t
count or aren’t being heard.
3. Do you have any children that currently go to school in the
district? If yes, could you elaborate?
Yes, I currently have 3 children that attend Delavan Schools. I
have a son that is a Senior in high school, a son that is in 6th
grade and a daughter that is in 3rd grade. I also have a daughter
that graduated this past Spring. (2009)
4. What do you think the greatest challenge of being a board
member is?
Wow, that's a tough question. It is challenging for many different
reasons. One being is that I am a new school board member so I have
a lot to learn. There are so many different aspects that are
involved with being a school board member and it isn’t something
that can be learned over night. My term on the board is 4 years and
I honestly doubt that even in that time I will know a ¼ of
everything that needs to be learned. There are many different
policies and procedures to learn and it can at times be
overwhelming. It is also challenging because there are decisions
that the board will make that people will not agree with, but as a
school board member we always have to keep the best interest of our
children and their education top of mind. That ranges from the
education we are able to offer, their safety and making sure that
money is spent appropriately so that we can continue to have our
school survive, especially during the economic hard times our
country is facing. As school board members we need to be able to
put aside our personal feelings and make decisions that are in the
best interest of our children and the school as a whole. Since all
board members are voted on by the community, it is also important
to me that input is received openly from community members as there
are many different viewpoints, suggestions and opinions that
sometimes need to be taken into consideration. Fortunately since I
have been on the board we have not had to make decisions on whether
or not certain classes need to be cut due to budget restraints.
This is largely due to the fact that our Superintendent has done a
fantastic job of managing the school budget in a conservative way.
Honestly, I could go on and on to the many challenges that come
along with being a school board member, but I will wrap it up with
saying that there are some extremely tough decisions that have to
be made and there are times that some of them weigh heavy not only
on my mind but also my heart, even though I know the decisions made
are ultimately in the best interest of the school.
5. Did anything in your professional life prepare you for your
role as a board member?
Over the past 19 years I have had to work with many different
personalities and diversified groups of people. In my professional
life I have had some responsibility of having to stay within a
budget while not impact the quality of product and service we
provide. My current job requires a high level of integrity and
confidentiality. I have a very strong conscience, an open mind and
do not represent any one group of people. Yes, I can be very direct
at times, but I strongly believe that there are times when people
need to agree that they disagree and move on. This doesn’t ever
make anyone “right” or “wrong”, I find it to be a learning and
growing experience for everyone involved. My work place provides us
with the opportunity to serve on boards and do volunteer work
whenever possible. I have volunteered at the Peoria Alternative
High School for the past 10+ years. During some of this time I was
a mentor for different students and I was able to learn first hand
many of the challenges teenagers face and been able to get a better
understanding and perspective of things from a students
viewpoint.
6. What do you feel is the greatest reward serving as a board
member?
Hhmm, personally I consider my greatest reward came when I was
voted in as a school board member. Just knowing that I have been
allowed the opportunity to work with other great school board
members, teachers, staff and community members to ensure we are all
working collectively in the same direction is my reward.
Sue
Howard
1. How long have you been a board member?
I have been a board member for a little over 2 years. I am halfway
through my term.
2. Why did you decide to run as a board member for Delavan
District 703?
That's a good question. I wanted to get more involved with the
school and to be able to contribute to its success. I am very proud
of our school.
3. Do you have any children that currently go to school in the
district? If yes, could you elaborate?
I have a daughter who is a junior in high school. We moved here in
2005. One of the reasons we moved here was because of the school.
We had looked at several other small towns but it was the school
that made up our minds.
4. What do you think the greatest challenge of being a board
member is?
Having to expel students. When a child is expelled it affects their
future. Even though it is a last resort, it is still a hard thing
to do.
5. Did anything in your professional life prepare you for your
role as a board member?
When making a decision at work, every aspect must be reviewed. That
is also true for the School Board decisions. What may look like the
best option at first glance may not be the best option once you
have reviewed everything.
6. What do you feel is the greatest reward serving as a board
member?
Seeing the school prosper and grow. Hearing other schools praise
ours and knowing that I was involved.
Jeff Johnson
1) How long have you been a board member? Currently in
my fourth term, four years per term. 14th year.
2) Why did you decide to run as a board member for Delavan District
703? I was asked by the PTO chair, I believe. It has been a long
time to try to remember. I have always been one to get involved and
with children ready to start school I thought it would be a good
idea to be involved with not only their education but with all
students’ education. Having children in school should not be the
reason to be on the board of education, but wanting to ensure all
students receive a quality education.
3) Do you have any children that currently go to school in the
district. If yes, could you elaborate? Two boys: Dalton Johnson a
senior and Tollin Johnson a 4th grader.
4) What do you think the greatest challenge of being a board
member? 1. Time. Most people don’t fully understand how much time
is involved; it is not only meeting once or twice a month formally,
but committee meetings and frequent communication with the
superintendent. 2. Money is always an issue, with any business it
takes revenue and in order to receive a quality education it takes
money! 3. The students and knowing that each needs to take
advantage of all that is offered, Delavan has so much to offer and
not all the students take advantage of it.
5) Did anything in your professional life prepare you for your role
as a board member? No, it was a learn as you go process, not sure
there is any profession that could prepare one to be on the board
of education.
6) What do you feel is the greatest reward serving as a board
member? Knowing that I have tried along with other board members to
prepare ALL students for life after high school, whether it is
college, trade school or work. The contacts that have been made
from past and present members, knowing that each are on the board
to make sure education is a top priority.
Matt Shipton
1. How long have you been a board member?
I was elected to the board in March 2009.
2. Why did you decide to run as a board member for Delavan
District 703?
As a parent of three children that either currently attend or will
attend District 703, I felt that it was an opportunity for me to be
active in their education. I also felt a desire to give back to the
school and community where I was raised and educated, and felt that
serving on the board would offer me a chance to fulfill that
desire, particularly since I was ingrained about the importance of
education at an early age by my mother who taught at Delavan.
3. Do you have any children that currently go to school in the
district? If yes, could you elaborate?
Yes. Reid is in 8th grade and Hanna is in 6th.
4. What do you think the greatest challenge of being a board
member is?
The greatest challenge for me is finding the correct balance
between the needs and capacities of the district. This primarily
concerns the district’s financial situation, but also extends to
personnel and student opportunities and resources.
5. Did anything in your professional life prepare you for your
role as a board member?
Both interpersonal communication and fiscal responsibility come to
mind. I have attempted to hone those skills in my professional
sales and marketing roles, and I think that helps me to be a
contributing board member.
6. What do you feel is the greatest reward serving as a board
member?
The greatest reward is having an opportunity to work closer with
the fine individuals that make up our school system. From my
vantage point on the board, I interact with many more persons
within the district than I would as a parent only, and I get to see
the hard work and efforts that so many put into the school, and
also see the successes that result.
Mark Vannaken
1. How long have you been a board member?
I am new to the board. I was elected in April 2009.
2. Why did you decide to run as a board member for Delavan
District 703?
I graduated from Delavan as did my parents and five of my children.
I feel it is away to support the school district and the city of
Delavan.
3. Do you have any children that currently go to school in the
district? If yes, could you elaborate?
Yes I have a son Brady, who is in third grade.
4. What do you think the greatest challenge of being a board
member is?
Making sure that I make the right decisions when I vote on issues
that will effect the District.
5. Did anything in your professional life prepare you for your role
as a board member?
Yes, the management skills I have acquired in my career taught me
that you need to work as a team to accomplish goals.
6. What do you feel is the greatest reward serving as a board
member?
I look forward to being able to make some positive changes while I
serve on the board.
Michael J. Gresham
1. How long have you been a board member?
2 ½ years
2. Why did you decide to run as a board member for Delavan District 703?
To help contribute to the quality of education, and longevity of our school.
3. Do you have any children that currently go to school in the
district? If yes, could you elaborate?
2 Children – Sidney, third grade, and Molly, first grade
4. What do you think the greatest challenge of being a board member is?
The biggest challenge is ensuring the financial stability of the district in tough economic times, while providing the best education possible to students. Also developing policy that is fair to all involved is a challenge.
5. Did anything in your professional life prepare you for your role
as a board member?
Nothing specifically prepared me for the role. It is a unique
role that is hard to describe, that you just have to experience for
yourself. However, I did have a pretty good familiarity with
education. My parents were both teachers, my brother is an
administrator, my sister-in-law is a teacher, and my wife is an
administrator.
6. What do you feel is the greatest reward serving as a board
member?
Having the opportunity to contribute to the educational process. Seeing first-hand the achievements of our students, teachers, administrators, and staff, and how diligently they work and how passionate they are about education. I enjoy working with the true professional educators we have in our district, and to see our students achieve great things, not only while in school, but in higher education and in life.
Wendy Schweigert
1) How long have you been a board member?
Since April, 2009
2) Why did you decide to run as a board member for Delavan District
703?
I have two children in the school district so I am motivated to
help make District 703 be the best it can. In addition, as a
college teacher and a researcher in cognitive Psychology I think I
have relevant knowledge and experience that can be helpful to the
District.
3) Do you have any children that currently go to the school in
the district? If yes, could you elaborate?
I have two children in the district. Emma is in 4th grade and Harry
is in 8th grade.
4) What do you think the greatest challenge of being a board
member is?
There is a lot to learn about how a school district is run,
especially related to finance, but also related to policies and
practices of all types.
5) Did anything in your professional life prepare you for your
role as a board member?
My career as a faculty member at Bradley University gives me sound
information about what colleges expect from students. Also, as part
of my work I have been on a wide variety of committees that
involved changing policies, implementing policies, and evaluating
whether others implemented policies correctly. I have also been a
department chairperson, so I have an understanding of difficulties
that can arise as a manager.
6) What do you feel is the greatest reward serving as a board
member?
I have really enjoyed seeing the evidence of how much the faculty,
staff, and administrators at Delavan Schools truly care about the
students. They want the students to learn, but even more so they
want the students to be happy and successful. Being on the board
lets me see the many actions taken by faculty, staff and
administrators, actions that are often inconvenient for them, that
are done for the betterment of the school and the sake of the
students.
