INTERVIEWS WITH THE MEDIA
Thanks for taking the time to read my interviews.
Nancy Swart - D26
D26 Candidate Swart details problems and solutions
Some of my goals include:
1) The schools are primarily funded (60-80%) by homeowner’s taxes. I want to see what can be done to lower our taxes here in the district. With teachers, bus drivers and students leaving the district, overhead should be less, right? I would like to see more funds going to the classrooms versus enlarging the administrative staff.
2) Spending money on social programs that have not been vetted, or have a negative outcome, is not a wise investment. Let’s invest the funds in better curriculum.
3) According to the districts own report card, our children are failing reading, writing and math. We need to get back to the basics. Critical thinking skills need to be taught and are a must for a child to succeed in today’s environment. There are black and white, right and wrong issues that are critical in a child’s life. If they do not have this solid foundation then they are standing in quicksand.
4) I want to take a closer look at what types of curriculum are being used and taught. This is where we start to build that solid foundation for our children. Let us, together, raise the scores on the districts report card. Parents, teachers, administrators and, yes, the board, working together to KEEP OUR CHILDREN FIRST.
The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them:
According to the D26 Illinois School Report Card, our children are failing in the basics of academics, including reading and math. These should be a school's primary focus. I will be taking a critical look into D26 curriculum, at all grade levels. There has been a departure from, what most understand, as a basic education in the classroom.
When teachers are asked to teach about issues happening outside their classroom it gives them less time to teach the basics. The report card shows that there is a breakdown between what is taught and what the children are learning. We all want our children to succeed, but they must first be given the correct tools to achieve that goal. What we are doing now is not working. Change is necessary. I intend to see that change happen. We should, and I will, KEEP THE CHILDREN FIRST!
What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?:
I am not supported by any teachers unions. Since the board must negotiate with the union I believe this to be a conflict of interest. Can the 3 incumbents agree to not take union money or endorsements? Can they also agree that this indeed, is a conflict of interest?
If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?
Finances. In, Sept. 2022 the board voted to increase Cary property taxes by 5%. Property taxes are the majority income source for our district. To burden homeowners with more taxes during the present financial environment concerns me that the board thought this to be a wise move. Students are exiting the public schools, teachers and bus drivers have also left the employment of the district. This is due to decisions the board has made over the past 3 years. The board is called to be a good steward of our funds. Are they?