Editor’s note: There are four candidates (vote for three) running to serve a four-year term as a member of the Lombard Elementary School District Board of Education. District 44 is comprised of six elementary schools, one middle school and one early childhood center.
Here are the candidate profiles, listed in alphabetical order. Attempts by The Lombardian to reach candidate Jeff Hansel were unsuccessful. The Lombardian will not be endorsing candidates in this race, or any of the other races in the April 4 election.
Tony del Alcazar
Office sought: District 44 school board member
Family: Wife: Heather, three boys, all products of District 44 (and 87)—sophomore in college, freshman in college, junior in District 87
Occupation: High school science teacher
Education: M.S. Education Curriculum and Instruction; B.S. Biology
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 44 Board of Education?
To keep Lombard students moving forward, and develop a passion for lifelong learning.
What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?
Change is a challenge that is constant in any community. Some of tomorrows change may not be on the radar today. Policy should always be determined by what is best for the district. Those decisions should be based objectively on data, and truly what is in the best interest of the whole. Regardless of how difficult some choices are, school board members should be trained/able to see changes coming and handle unforeseen changes with objectivity and data.
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?
The quality of schools has always been a major aspect of property values. I believe, and have been part of, decisions that have improved the quality of schools and the community. There are creative, non-traditional ways to fund school improvements without increasing property taxes. The District 44 Connect Center is an excellent example of fulfilling the need for a growing middle school population. The public money is minimized as we generate income from the private sector through rentals and sponsorships.
Stephen E. Flint
Office sought: District 44 school board member
Family: Wife Diana 42 years; son Chad and daughter-in-law Stephanie; daughter Elizabeth; grandson Aiden
Occupation: Self-employed architect with Flint Architects
Education: Bachelor of Architecture from University of Illinois Chicago; Associates in Applied Science from Southern Illinois University
Community or civic involvement: Village of Lombard Plan Commission, former commission member for 34 years; Village of Lombard Board of Building Appeals Committee, current member; Lombard Rotary Club, former president, current member; Paul Harris Fellow; Lombard Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry, former president, current ambassador; The Outreach House Board, current member; AIM-CIL Board, vice president, current member; Prevention Leadership Team, current member.
Awards received (either professional or community related. Lombard Man of the Year, 2000; Lombard School District 44, Kathy Bernard Friend of Education Award, 2001
Previous elected offices held: Current Lombard SD 44 board member since 2010.
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 44 Board of Education? I am currently a board member completing my third term. I want to continue advocating for the children with looking at the social and emotional aspect. I want to continue keeping the district fiscally solvent, attracting the best teachers and improving out facilities.
What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges? Attracting and keeping the high-quality staff which includes the administration, teachers and substitute teachers down to the janitors. We need to look at creative ways such sign bonuses to attract the best graduates. Create a culture where everyone wants to stay long term.
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes? The need to continue looking at our spending without sacrificing increased classroom student numbers. Continue looking at federal and state grants to help programs. The district is capped with increase property taxes. Currently the district is renting out the Connect 44 Center on the weekends as an example of helping pay for the bonds. This is an example of thinking outside the box. The students are using the facility during the day for classroom activities and evening for athletics.
Gayln Piper
Office sought: District 44 school board member
Family: Matt (husband) Cora, Georgia, and Susan (daughters)
Occupation: Director of Public Programs at Cantigny Park
Education: Augustana College
Community or civic involvement: PTA Manor Hill and Madison Elementary
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 44 Board of Education?
I am running for office to serve all students within the District 44 boundaries. I believe all students deserve a wonderful and challenging education in a safe learning environment. I will serve to ensure that District 44 continues to offer high-quality classroom and out-of-classroom experiences to build and nurture each child’s unique abilities.
What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?
The pandemic has offered us an opportunity to re-ignite the love of learning. I would like to build upon student led project-based learning. Having been a part of fourth-grade presentations on products needed in their school store, I am inspired to see what the other students of the district can do, build,and solve!
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?
As a school board member, I will oversee the budget to ensure that the funds are well spent and upcoming projects are forecasted. Building the Connect 44 Center without referendum or added taxes to the taxpayers is an expression of what can be accomplished.
