Doug DiFusco

[SouthernWolf]

Mar 17, 2009 11:58:45 GMT -6 rural said:

Mar 17, 2009 11:35:30 GMT -6 SouthernWolf said:

I like him as a candidate and SB member. His wife has already stepped down from the union leadership. Historically, the SB has not been heavily involved in the day to day negotiations (I think that should change and at least one SB member should be present first hand at the negotiating table to ensure SB gets not only Dr. D admin take on it but also gets a boardmembers view as well.) Doug would need to recuse himself on teacher contract votes to ensure there is no hint of "funny business" and maintains the integrity of the office/SB.

I am sure this will not be a problem and it will not affect my vote in the least.

If his wife is no longer involved with the TU, then "legally" there is nothing barring him from any vote or discussion as there is "legally" no conflict of interest.

Understood, but ethically/morally he would need to recuse himself in my opinion and I am sure he would, but it is a good question to ask. I know I would if I was in his place.

[casey]

Mar 17, 2009 10:10:46 GMT -6 kidsfirst said:

Thanks, arch. A green beer does sound kind of good tonight! I guess my friend and I will attend WE on Wednesday.

Casey, are your numbers just for siblings and obviously not addressing those that want to stay for sports, correct?

Also, these 44 families... is this just a case where they currently have a child at NV? Would they only get a one-time grandfathering and their younger kids in say ES are out of luck? I really don't see a problem with grandfathering if you make it elective but I think the policy-making could be tough. Do you reward the family with an already existing older child and get to grandfather the younger one this year but if you have an 9th grader who is your second oldest being grandfathered, then what happens to your youngest when he/she enters a year or two later? Out of luck because the grandfathering is done or do we keep extending the grandfathering and for how long? There could be multiple families with multiple kids spaced 3 years apart where this could be drawn out for years. I guess I am confused as to what the policy would be and would it be fair to all?

Thanks, Kidsfirst for checking with me before blasting my plan as to why it won't work. It's amazing what one gets back when they use respect ;D. That being said, the plan that I'm referring to showed ALL siblings all the way to 2015 that would have a sibling at NV being granted an exception. The whopping number in 2015 is 7 kids. I'm not making this up - there would be a total of 7 kids in the year 2015 that could be granted a sibling exception to stay at NV.

Also, FWIW, when I ask around to families I know with siblings, not all of the families would choose NV. Many of the kids would choose to stay with their friends. Why can't the SB allow the family to make a decision that works best for them? We're not talking a huge number of kids but again to those of us caught up in the mess - the implications are HUGE.

[kidsfirst]

Mar 17, 2009 13:21:59 GMT -6 casey said:

Mar 17, 2009 10:10:46 GMT -6 kidsfirst said:

Thanks, arch. A green beer does sound kind of good tonight! I guess my friend and I will attend WE on Wednesday.

Casey, are your numbers just for siblings and obviously not addressing those that want to stay for sports, correct?

Also, these 44 families... is this just a case where they currently have a child at NV? Would they only get a one-time grandfathering and their younger kids in say ES are out of luck? I really don't see a problem with grandfathering if you make it elective but I think the policy-making could be tough. Do you reward the family with an already existing older child and get to grandfather the younger one this year but if you have an 9th grader who is your second oldest being grandfathered, then what happens to your youngest when he/she enters a year or two later? Out of luck because the grandfathering is done or do we keep extending the grandfathering and for how long? There could be multiple families with multiple kids spaced 3 years apart where this could be drawn out for years. I guess I am confused as to what the policy would be and would it be fair to all?

Thanks, Kidsfirst for checking with me before blasting my plan as to why it won't work. It's amazing what one gets back when they use respect ;D. That being said, the plan that I'm referring to showed ALL siblings all the way to 2015 that would have a sibling at NV being granted an exception. The whopping number in 2015 is 7 kids. I'm not making this up - there would be a total of 7 kids in the year 2015 that could be granted a sibling exception to stay at NV.

Also, FWIW, when I ask around to families I know with siblings, not all of the families would choose NV. Many of the kids would choose to stay with their friends. Why can't the SB allow the family to make a decision that works best for them? We're not talking a huge number of kids but again to those of us caught up in the mess - the implications are HUGE.

I've got to agree with you casey. I wish the SB would have done some sort of survey and gotten a feel of how big a can of worms we are looking at. I think they were afraid it would be a huge one but you never know until you inquire. Again, the feeling that we as taxpayers don't need to be included in decision-making is really getting to me. I don't care if they agree with me on every issue and I don't expect them to. But at least act like they are interested and they might get more in touch with what people are thinking as a WHOLE district, instead of just assuming that those with the loudest emails represent everyone's feelings.

[doctorwho]

Mar 17, 2009 16:04:34 GMT -6 kidsfirst said:

Mar 17, 2009 13:21:59 GMT -6 casey said:

Thanks, Kidsfirst for checking with me before blasting my plan as to why it won't work. It's amazing what one gets back when they use respect ;D. That being said, the plan that I'm referring to showed ALL siblings all the way to 2015 that would have a sibling at NV being granted an exception. The whopping number in 2015 is 7 kids. I'm not making this up - there would be a total of 7 kids in the year 2015 that could be granted a sibling exception to stay at NV.

Also, FWIW, when I ask around to families I know with siblings, not all of the families would choose NV. Many of the kids would choose to stay with their friends. Why can't the SB allow the family to make a decision that works best for them? We're not talking a huge number of kids but again to those of us caught up in the mess - the implications are HUGE.

I've got to agree with you casey. I wish the SB would have done some sort of survey and gotten a feel of how big a can of worms we are looking at. I think they were afraid it would be a huge one but you never know until you inquire. Again, the feeling that we as taxpayers don't need to be included in decision-making is really getting to me. I don't care if they agree with me on every issue and I don't expect them to. But at least act like they are interested and they might get more in touch with what people are thinking as a WHOLE district, instead of just assuming that those with the loudest emails represent everyone's feelings.

btw - they have had plenty of time to look into as I raised these issues in a series of emails and face to face questions to the admin & individual SB members starting in late 2005 - and continuing until present - siblings and athletics issues - concerns. Didn't have to be a priority but 3 1/2 years is enough time to take a peek at- if they actually cared what we thought.

This was not a MV @ AMES issue- it was going to be an issue regardless if we added a 3rd HS.

[jftb]

Just curious, how was the grandfathering issue handled when NV opened?

[wvparent]

Kathy Birkett has said at 3rd high school info meetings that there was no grandfathering when Neuqua opened. The situation was the same as will be with Metea -- no Varsity sports the first year and no upper level music.

[doctorwho]

www.dailyherald.com/news/politics/elections/2009/race/candidates/?id=707&candidate=1003

Unit D204 board member
Doug A DiFusco, Sr. Incumbent: No
Occupation: I am a partner / owner in an electronics firm specializing in outsource assembly work. Our predominant market is electromechanical assembly. We range in medium technology product to high end MRI units. My specialty is supply chain management.
Age: 46
Address: Naperville, IL

CANDIDATE INFORMATION
Family
I have been married to my wife Kerry since 1989. We have two wonderful children Danielle a freshman and Doug a seventh grader.
Education/degrees
BA – Business Administration from St. Bonaventure University
Civic Involvement
Executive Director and President of the Naperville Patriots Youth Football organization. The Patriots are a non for profit travel youth football league which I have had the honor of running. The organization being quite young entering its 6th year has achieved national acclaim in winning 2 national championships while placing second in two national championships as well. We serve approximately 250 to 275 families yearly from the Naperville and surrounding towns. I also sit on the Chicagoland AYF Regional Board. In total in 2007 I volunteered 670 plus hours to the many families and kids the Patriots organization is here to serve.
Elected/appointed offices held
n/a
Other Government services
n/a


Candidate's Key Issues
Key Issue 1 Fiscal responsibility and accountability. Making certain the district remains profitable in an environment where the public can view the budget and district check register on line. Complete financial exposure (transparency) is extremely important. We must as a school board begin to push back at the supply chain. We spend approximately 65 million operations / maintenance, debt services and transportation a minimum 5% cost savings negotiated with quarterly price concessions from the supply chain is feasible. This would garner approximately 3.2 million dollar savings to the district. I would be happy to explain the model utilized to achieve these financial milestones. Having specialized in this field many available avenues exist within the current supply base to reach this goal. We must then begin to maximize alternative revenue available to the district by utilizes our largest asset grounds and buildings. A comprehensive effort to rent building space to cultural groups can be implemented. Currently I am aware of multiple cultural groups spending in excess of $70,000.00 per year each in district 203 for building space on weekends. Multiple year agreements would generate over 1.5 million in additional revenues annually. We would utilize our field space to set forth a rental plan to the immense youth sports programs from the community. Park district land is not available do to demand beyond available capacity. League rental agreements would be a very real and viable revenue stream. Our district must maximize every asset in the effort to generate revenue to remain profitable. Optimizations of transportation can also be done from our own resources. Current estimates based on our district map would garner additional savings beneath the estimated 15.4 million dollar budget for this line item.
This is a public corporation including land it is a 1 billion dollar corporation. The board requires business people who specialize in running companies, working with supply chain, optimizing revenue streams and optimizing operations. This is the way fiscal responsibility is achieved. Anyone can say it, only some like me actually do this when running corporations where employees depend on you.

Key Issue 2 Communication and listening to the people of our district. A continual monthly town hall meeting schedule, with two to three communities each month, to listen to their concerns and feedback. This allows the board to be proactive and ahead of the curve instead of reactionary where it is always playing catch up. The communities I have met with share many common interests and concerns about the district. They also share many outstanding ideas and well thought out solutions for the district. By on going town hall forums this will provide a tremendous communication link to all areas of our district. It will provide the community the real opportunity to take ownership in the direction of the district. The customers of this business are the children and parents of district 204. One cannot expect to satisfy these many customers if you do not make a concerted effort and take the time to listen to issues and ideas in their own community. Through this process the board will be very proactive with the ability to implement many of the common interests of the community. COMMUNICATION, LISTENING AND BUILDING A RELATIONSHIP OF TRUST AND RESPECT, through this process many positive programs can be implemented and enhancements achieved.

Key Issue 3 Safe optimal learning environment with current learning materials both in books and technology platforms. I believe every student has the ability to learn and we want to give them the best possibility to succeed by making sure they are in a proper learning environment. We are committed to being creative about financing air conditioning in elementary schools at a fraction of the retrofitted 40 million dollar estimate given to our district. I am committed to making sure our curriculum and materials are up to date and soliciting feedback from teachers and parents as to whether the curriculum is relevant. I am committed to making sure every student feels safe at school and that parents are comfortable sending their children to school. I am committed to evaluating policies regarding personal safety on and off school grounds, including on the Internet. I am committed to improving the technology infrastructure and curriculum in the district.