Geneva School Board Election: It’s Your Move…

So, you ask, who should I vote for in the school board election?  Eight candidates, four open seats. 

Because I have been present at most all school board meetings in the last year and strongly support the concept of GenevaTaxFacts.org, I hear this question often. 

First, it is important to remember that GenevaTaxFACTS.org is non-partisan and does not endorse. Its sole function is to encourage residents to be informed about their local taxing bodies so they will vote wisely. However, there is no reason for me to not voice my personal opinion. 

With the school board accounting for about 70% of our property tax dollars and incurring taxpayer debt of over $300 million, the decisions of school board members affect every homeowner. This has been an eye-opening year that included exposure of a 2007 referendum based on inflated enrollment numbers and prolonged teacher contract negotiations. It is essential for voters to check out the candidates so they can vote wisely starting on March 25 for the four open seats on a seven-member board. There are many ways to be informed. 

Because many do not have the time to attend these meetings, GenevaTaxFACTS.org site has volunteers who diligently post all meeting videos, convert them to both ipad/iphone/and PC format and code them so at anytime, residents can simply click on a meeting, use the coded dropdown menu and see who spoke on an issue and how the board voted. One could easily review the highlights of an hour-long meeting in about 10 minutes! 

This volunteer effort was done to enable the community to observe firsthand how board members handle community input, financial issues, and determine tax levy rates. Voters are more informed about deciding who they want to elect. 

Two current board members are candidates for re-election; Mark Grosso, Board President, and Bill Wilson, current chairman of the Finance Committee. Mr. Wilson is one of the three current board members who couldn’t recall how the enrollment figures got skewed in the 2007 referendum. If you have been impressed with their decisions, then vote accordingly.  

Just recently, I noticed a disconcerting board action where a teacher who was a part of the union negotiation team was appointed to the finance committee.  

If you watch the meeting of February 11 video (select item 2.3) you will notice no one on the board questioned this. In the February 25th video (item 2.1, 6.1, and 10.1), the board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation. I presented the pros and cons of this action on February 25 and still strongly feel it is a conflict of interest and not in the best interest of taxpayers. 

Three of the six new candidates are very closely connected to the teaching community. One is married to a GHS teacher, another teaches in Naperville, and a third is a substitute teacher in Batavia. This is not necessarily a negative, but something that voters should consider when they evaluate the candidates.

Consider this scenario. If the teacher’s union can continue to exert their strong influence and our community continues to be apathetic in local elections, we could have three new board members closely tied to the teaching community to accompany the one just appointed to the finance committee. During the 2011 election, the Geneva Education Association (teachers’ union) sent postcards supporting three candidates. Will they do that again this year?

We desperately need people well-grounded in understanding bonds, budgets, and property valuations to help steer us wisely through the mess we are in. Look for sound business experience and financial acuity in the candidates. We have very highly paid educational staff advancing educational standards and issues to the board. The board is all that taxpayers have to speak in their interest. 

Take advantage of a great opportunity to personally hear each candidate answer questions about their goals. Mark your calendar for Wednesday, March 20, and attend the Candidates Forum on Fiscal Responsibility.

It’s your move.