JEFF DAMLER
Why did you decide to run for school board?
I decided to run for school board because we love living in St. Joe and the schools are the lifeblood of any rural community. That is why people move to places like St. Joe. That is why my wife and I decided to move here when we started having kids. We grew up in rural communities in Central Illinois of Tuscola and Arcola. We wanted to raise our kids in the same kind of community like St. Joe that we were raised in. We currently have two kids in the district and will have three starting next year. I have a vested interest in this community (working at a local bank) and school district. I want to make sure our schools are doing what is best for all the kids of this district, not just my kids.
What is the biggest challenge facing the district?
I think the biggest challenge facing our district is continuing to keep the best educators in our schools while financially keeping the district on solid ground. It’s no secret there is a teacher shortage across the state/country and teachers are continuing to leave the profession. The teachers and support staff are the front line of these schools and most important piece. We need to continue to retain the best teachers we have all the while able to attract the best candidates out there when we have openings. Some school districts have got themselves in financial situations where they need to hire the cheapest options just because they don’t have the financial ability to hire the best. We want to continue to retain the best that we have and fill openings with the best out there. Sometimes that means spending more money but the best teachers, like we have, are worth it as they work with our kids every day.
What are your goals for the next four years? Some of my goals for the next four years are to continue to make St. Joseph school district one of the best in the state. I have no agenda or plans in mind that I want to change if I get on the board. We already have a great school district in place and my goal would be to continue that work that people like Jeff Hoveln (school board) and Todd Pence (superintendent) have done as they leave the district. If something isn’t broke, don’t fix it. That being said, we always need to be able to adjust and adapt to anything new thrown our way, like a pandemic. No matter how good you think you are, there is always room to improve on certain aspects. I look forward to working with our current board and new Superintendent, Lance Landeck, to continue to make this district great.
How would you describe the actual job of a school board member? I think the job of a school board member is to make decisions for the school district that is best for all the kids. Just because something is good for one group of kids, does not mean it is in the best interest of all the kids. That is the challenge. Deciding what will benefit all our kids together. We have a very diverse group of students in our district and that is what makes us great. It would be boring if we were all the same and all thought the same. Disagreeing on something is actually ok in todays world and you don’t have to dislike someone just because you disagree with them. I also think the board members should be approachable members of the community that listen to other parents concerns and help educate people on why we made the decisions we made. These are the same people that voted for you to be on the board so they should trust you to listen to their concerns and consider all factors when making a decision.
What do you want the public to know about you? I come from a family of educators. Dad, mom, grandma, aunt, uncle, cousin, wife, and even my sister-in-law. My brother and I went a different direction and got into banking. I feel like serving on a school board would be my way of getting into education and continuing the family tradition. I grew up with my dad as a high school principal so I know what it means to make decisions based on what is the right thing to do and not always the popular thing to do. If you are fair and honest, and do what’s best for the kids, you can’t go wrong. I think I am a rationale individual that can see things from all perspectives and make unbiased decisions based on all the facts. We love St. Joe and the surrounding communities. We grew up in similar communities and have no plans to leave. We are here long-term and want what is best for our school district. In my opinion, growing up in rural communities is a great way for kids to learn their values in life and be prepared to become contributing members of society.
JEN WAGNER
Why did you decide to run for school board?
In 2019, I was asked to fill a vacant seat mid-term. I had worked closely with School Administration, being part of the St. Joseph PTC Board for four years, so I was familiar with some of the issues at hand, and I was interested in learning more. I attended a few meetings before officially being welcomed on and I liked what was happening, and wanted to be a part of it. This will be my first reelection.
What is the biggest challenge facing the district?
Ideally, growth would be a great ongoing decade(s) long challenge to conquer. With the percentage of tax dollars that actually make their way back to our local schools, an increase of both the population in our village and student enrollment would be extremely beneficial to our budget.
What are your goals for the next four years?
I’ve enjoyed working the last four years with the members of the Board of Education & Mr. Pence, Mrs. Wagner, Mrs. Franzen & Mr. Sennert, along with their dedicated support staff and our district’s amazing teachers. I look forward to continue working with Mr. Landeck as well, as we prepare for his transition to Superintendent, as we bid farewell to Mr. Pence this year. As far as goals for the next four years, quite simply face any issues presented to the board head-on, do the best research I can on any issues at hand I may be unfamiliar with, bring what knowledge I may have, and work closely with our Superintendent & other Board Members to make the best decisions for staff, students & our community. That’s how I would describe the actual job of the school board member.
How would you describe the actual job of a school board member? See above
In my short tenure we have worked together and have many accomplishments to applaud. In no particular order, I was proud to sit with my fellow board members and school staff during the hiring of Mr. Landeck, the most recent referendum (successful), Building, Parking Lot & Grounds improvements, the addition of solar panels to our schools, curriculum upgrades, the covid struggle, trials and tribulations.
What do you want the public to know about you? I’ve been married to Jim for 14 years. We have lived in St. Joseph for 21 years, longer than we lived in our own hometowns! This is where we call home. This is where our son Mason, 10, and our daughter Brynlee, 8, call home. We appreciate our community, our schools and our neighbors. We have three dogs- Wrigley, Banks and Dawson. I love to watch my kids play sports, love going to the beach and concerts. I LOVE concerts.
LOIS HEWERDINE
Why did you decide to run for school board?
After the 21-year legacy of Mr. Pence, the district will be passing the torch to Mr. Landeck. We are excited and confident in Mr. Landeck’s ability to successfully make a smooth transition and continue to lead our schools forward. https://docs.google.com/document/d/19NvJeT8ZawjGrSAYHca2mf-UZXHc9VlmBuX7sgTcIA0/edit The Board’s most important work is to hire a superintendent. We have accomplished that after a many months-long process. Now, the support and transition of Superintendent Landeck becomes our main focus, for his first year of leading the district. We will establish new superintendent goals, and will develop an updated strategic plan. Those are some factors that led me to run again.
What is the biggest challenge facing the district?
Listening to the community. Scrutiny of building safety and the provision of a safe and secure environment for staff and students is paramount. Staffing with the excellent teachers and support staff is crucial for learning to continue and for students to reach their personal best in achievement. Social and Emotional Support of students who continue to recover from the Covid lockdown continues to be important. Teaching and learning through the adopted curriculums will also be continued in order to reach/exceed the state standards.
What are your goals for the next four years?
Refer to #1 and #2
How would you describe the actual job of a school board member?
Members have an obligation to attend all meetings as humanly possible. Each member has a voice and is elected to the seat by the community. Each voice has a unique set of experiences and perspectives that contributes to the whole board. Form positive working relationships with all members and the administration. Many candidates begin their tenure as a board member with a particular agenda. Newly elected, one realizes that there is at least a 2-year window to somewhat learn the cycle of the business of school districts. Every candidate needs to remember that cooperation, discussion, and consensus is how change and excellence begins. Each member has only 1 vote, the voice of the President is equal to the other 6 voices. Above all, listen more and talk less. Grow thick skin. Form opinions by research and training, not on one’s own. Get the facts, there are many facets to every issue.
Keep a cool head, cooperate, and listen to concerns. All is needed to keep progressing in the right direction. Loud angry voices are not helpful. Be prepared with researching issues and current events; those actions give credence to voices. Read the monthly board packets and reports. Come to the meetings prepared. Be prepared to have your day and night interrupted when the superintendent needs direction on a particular issue.
Read, read, and read some more. What do you read? School board Journal articles, legislation, news media, and emails, all the while adhering to the Open Meetings Act. Attend state-wide trainings, watch webinars, and get involved at the Illinois Association of School Boards division and state levels. Complete all mandated training set forth before you required by the legislature. Seek help from the local legislators and voice concerns. Form opinions on research and training, not on your own opinions. Get the facts, there are many facets to every issue. A member is obligated to understand policy and understand how those policies will influence the handbooks for employees and students. Know the laws of Illinois and the School Code.
Be patient, be kind, be empathetic. Actively appreciate the teachers and staff. Celebrate families and student success. Ask questions. Listen to constituents, it takes a lot of bravery to step up to voice concerns. Be aware of what issues face the village and the SJOHS Board, governing is all intertwined. Be prepared for the assignment to 1 or 2 sub-committees that exist for board work. (Finance, Negotiations, Policy, Building and Grounds, or represent the district in the Rural Champaign County Special Ed Co-Op Board). Form your questions by the voices that contact you about issues and read legitimate research. Maintain confidentiality. Don’t assume that one’s opinion is the only one that matters or counts. Don’t assume that a member is a conduit when a parent makes a contact out of concern. Channel communication in the appropriate way and recognize there is always a back story.
When newly elected, members immediately must focus on mandated training. Note the following link for your readers: https://www.iasb.com/IASB/media/Documents/mandatoryboardtraining.pdf. DCFS mandated reporter training is also required. Training helps members be successful, but does not prepare a member for the whole of the position. Requirements change with the state legislature’s passage of new legislation.
This is one view of board work. These are only some of the behind the meetings activities that go on to keep the schools running in a great way.
The community has elected members as stewards. Take it seriously. Earn the respect for the position entrusted. Be a positive leader. Remember realtors list our community as desirable because of our schools. It takes all of us to make the schools excellent, even if you are not on the board.
What do you want the public to know about you?
I am a wife, a parent, and a proud and an actively engaged babysitting grandma, albeit a bit tired. My 2 children are graduates of the St.Joseph Schools. My husband is a retired Industrial Technology teacher from SJOHS and a track coach of many years who took many athletes to the state level competitions. He is inducted in the Illinois Track Coaching Hall of Fame. Needless to say, I have learned a lot about track and field and am a built-in track volunteer. I have spent 38 full time years in the classrooms of Schaumburg District 54, Oakwood District 76, and Rantoul City Schools District 137. My career experiences include teaching early childhood education classes, general education 6th grade classes, and have taught self-contained education classes with students experiencing Social Emotional Disorders. I have served as an advocate for children with special needs, on occasion. I completed my career teaching as a resource special education full inclusion teacher for classes in the 7th and 8th grades. I designed and implemented the Student Assistance Intervention program and the After Hours Tutoring Program at J.W. Eater Jr. High School with the help of dedicated staff at J.W. Eater Junior High in Rantoul City Schools. I am a volunteer for the Carle Auxiliary and a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. I have served as past IASB Illini Division Vice President for many years. Locally, I have been a member of the St. Joseph School Board since 2003. I have served as the Board President, serving on the Policy and Negotiations committees, as well as the Rural Champaign County Co-op representative for the district. I answer all phone calls and emails sent my way.
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