www.dailyherald.com/news/politics/elections/2009/race/candidates/?id=707&candidate=998Unit D204 board member
Dawn DeSart Incumbent: No
Occupation: Retired. For more than two decades, I have worked as a journalist in every medium: Print; radio and television. My last employment was at NBC5 in Chicago, as an anchor and reporter. I also served as a weekend anchor on WMAQ-AM,an all-news station.
Age: 46
Address: Naperville, IL
CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Family
I am married to a very supportive husband, Michael Kennedy. We have a son at Crone Middle School, and a daughter at Patterson Elementary.
Education/degrees
I am a Waubonsie Valley High School graduate (Class of 1981). I have a B.S. in Mass Communications (Journalism) from Minnesota State University, Mankato, Minnesota, my father's alma mater.
Civic Involvement
I am extremely involved in my community.
I have been an active member in the PTA and PTSA organizations for eight years. Through the years, I've done everything, from being the “party mom” to working on Red Ribbon week. There really is too much to cover ... eight years’ worth!
This school year, in particular, I helped at the Teacher Appreciation Luncheon at Patterson. Also at Patterson, I'm the Art Awareness Coordinator for my daughter’s class; a yearbook photographer; a party mom; and I'm the chairperson for the school's Reading Incentive Program, ""Read to Succeed.""
At Crone this year, I've helped with two field trips; am a volunteer at the upcoming Solo & Ensemble Contest; am the Chairperson for the 8th Grade End of the Year Dance; and am a co-chair for the 8th Grade End of the Year Party.
I'm also active through my church, where I've been a co-director for our church's Vacation Church School; helped with the annual Crop Walk for the hungry, etc. I have also served on the United Way of Aurora Board.
Candidate's Key Issues
Key Issue 1 My number one campaign issue is to bring back the respect and the trust that the current District 204 Board is so lacking. The parents in our community deserve RESPECT! A School Board member's job is to be an advocate for their community. Sadly, I believe there is a disconnect between the Board and their constituents, and when I'm elected, this will be repaired through transparency.
Key Issue 2 District 204, along with the other school districts throughout the state, are most likely, going to lose dollars from the state. The job of the Board will be to balance our income with our expenditures (going through those expenses line-item, with a fine-toothed comb), just as the families in our community are having to do with their own household income.
In the current financial climate across the nation, fiscal responsibility is a MUST!
Key Issue 3 District 204 is feeling the ""growing pains"" of transitioning from a two high school district to a three high school district. There are so many issues related to the opening of the new high school that need to be ironed out over the next year, which will consume much of the Board's time. Regarding siblings attending the same school or transportation issues, and everything in between, parents want common sense answers to the questions which arise regarding THEIR children. Every parent and every child in this District is important, and should be heard. There should be transparency on the Board, so parents can get the answers, respectfully, to their questions.
Questions & Answers
Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted.
1. What is the most important issue facing Indian Prairie Unit District 204 and how specifically would you address it as a member of the school board?
As I've stated above, in the months ahead,I believe the way the economy will impact the amount of money schools get, and how that money is spent will be the top challenge to the Board.
However, TODAY, 3-2-09, the top issue is setting into place a policy to protect our children while they walk the halls of our schools.
2. The district is negotiating a new teachers contract this year. Do you believe teachers should continue to get raises in this economy? If so, what percentage do you think is fair (counting step increases)?
I believe that District 204 MUST attract and keep the best teachers. District 204 shouldn't be a ""rookie stop."" Having said that, I have not had the chance to look at a line-item D204 budget. Just like the families in our community, we have to make ends meet. Are there other ways of compensation? Do we offer our teachers the very BEST healthcare/dental package available? Our we giving our teachers enough prep and in-service time?
Just to be clear: I'm not saying NO to raises this year. I'm saying that we, as a School Board, need to make sure we have the dollars available to offer, before we get ourselves into more debt.
3. The economic downturn will put a strain on District 204's budget. What specific ideas do you have for increasing revenue or cutting spending?
As I've stated above, the budget needs to be looked at line item, with a find-toothed comb. I don't believe that it's responsible to ask taxpayers (themselves feeling the pinch of this economy), for more money.
With the anticipated loss in some of the State revenue, we -- as a district -- will need to tighten our belts, just like the families in our community.
4. How can the district improve its curriculum to ensure students are prepared for college and/or the workforce?
I am hearing that some of the D204 textbooks are a decade or two old! This is not the ""cutting edge"" education we want to offer our children.
But are replacing textbooks (especially at the high school level) the way to go with this technologically savvy generation of kids? I would advocate looking into ""cyber textbooks"" (like the Kindl)as we take our D204 students into the future.
5. If you are an incumbent, outline your three major contributions to the school board. If you are a challenger, outline the three contributions you hope to make during your first term.
1. Transparency -- I don't want taxpayers to be surprised by decisions made by the School Board (example: full-day kindergarten)
2. Respect -- I want to bring back respect to the parents/taxpapers in D204, and have their faith and trust in the Board return.
3. Financial responsibility - In this current economic climate, our families are having to look carefully at how they spend their (fewer and fewer) dollars. So should the School District.
