D200 Candidates Tackle Voters' Questions

District 200 candidates continued to press their case for voter support during a League of Women Voters and Wheaton Chamber of Commerce forum Thursday night touting stances on merit pay, Hubble Middle School and board transparency.

Speaking to a crowd of nearly 100 people, the six candidates fielded audience questions about various issues facing the school district, as well as those concerning the voters, including whether or not the candidates had support from or ties to union support.

Each candidate said they have received no financial support from any public or private union, although incumbents Rosemary Swanson and John Bomher, along with James Vroman said they were endorsed by teachers’ organizations.

Candidates spoke about the need to carefully plan the district budget and plan for even more reductions in state funding. Currently, the state owes the district approximately $8 million. Both Vroman and Swanson said the newest proposed budget is balanced without having to make deep cuts in classroom programs.

Jim Gambaiani said the district should be budgeted like a corporation to make sure the district runs efficiently and emphasized shared sacrifice at all levels of the district.

Harold Lonks and Michael Radencich each suggested looking at administration spending as a place to find money to put toward classrooms.

Bohmer though challenged administrative cuts, calling it an “easy political sound bite.” He said if too many administrative cuts are made, there will not be funds to run the district. He suggested the board look at streamlining health benefits.

The candidates, with the exception of Bomher and Swanson, criticized the use of using working cash bonds for short term financial goals. Those bonds are not subject to voter referendum. Both incumbents said the use of those bonds were necessary for the district to meet its financial needs.

The board candidates agreed that budgeting and most other business should be transparent.

As was the case in a previous D200 forum, as well as one featuring for city council candidates, the question of what to do with Hubble Middle School was a top concern for voters. Candidates were asked what they, as board members, would do if the minimum bid of $10 million is not met.

Swanson said if there is no bid that meets the minimum amount, then the board would have to rebid the property, or vote to accept one of the proposals.

Lonks, who said the scenario would call for the property to be rebid or discussed with the park district, criticized the board’s lack of a contingency plan for the property. He noted it costs the district $200,000 annually to keep the building open. Gambaiani was also critical of the lack of a plan.

Bomher said there have been 20 requests for Hubble bid packets, which he said gives him optimism for the property’s future. If there is no bid agreement Radencich said he would work with the local business community to use the former school as a training site to generate some revenue until the property could be sold.

A question was also raised about the restoration of B-team sports in the district. The school board eliminated the program to save approximately $150,000 annually. Each of the candidates said there were other programs or positions that should be restored should that money become available, including the rehiring of teacher’s aides. Lonks again suggested $150,000 could be found for some of those programs by looking at administrative costs. 

The candidates also addressed the issue of merit pay and tenure. Each candidate agreed the two issues go hand-in-hand and will need to be addressed when it comes to renegotiating teachers’ salaries this year.