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MINOOKA – Five candidates are vying for three seats in the Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201 Board of Education election April 7.
Three of the five candidates – Kristan Crouch, John Clucas and Al Skwarczynski – already sit on the board, with only Kevin Hannon leaving after a four-year term without seeking re-election.
A two-year seat is open on the board, with candidate Curtis Jebens running unopposed for this position.
School board members in this district will face the rollout of the new all-day kindergarten program, which includes the hiring of new teachers and staff, and the debate over fine arts availability. The search for a new superintendent also will be a hot topic, as well as keeping budgets in check.
The candidates running for the three four-year terms are:
Kristan Crouch, incumbent
What is your experience with Minooka School District 201?
"I originally applied for the open position on the board due to Mr. (Don) McKinney's decision to step down. I was chosen by the other board members to fill that spot. I have learned a lot since then and have now chosen to run for a full term."
Why are you running for a seat on the Minooka 201 board?
“My husband and I moved into the area over 10 years ago, and have eight children. Five are currently in the Minooka school system, with another entering kindergarten next school year. I am highly invested in the success of our schools. I have a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southern Illinois University, and worked in the social services field helping young teenage girls get on the right track, and now enjoy raising my children at home. The reason I am running is, simply put, I love the kids and I want the very best for them. I plan on shifting the emphasis away from standardized testing and the assembly line mentality that’s been imposed on us by ‘the experts’ in government. Our children are not a product we crank out of uniform molds. Teachers know better than bureaucrats how kids learn best.”
What changes do you think the board needs to make?
“I believe in setting priorities and letting them dictate how and where the taxpayer’s money is spent. My emphasis is always on people. Money is always better spent on people rather than more stuff. When children have wonderful school experiences it’s due to the relationships they had with their teachers, not their iPad.”
Mireya C. Martin
What is your experience with Minooka School District 201?
“Before having children, I was an attorney specializing in school law. Once my children began attending Minooka 201 schools, I became involved in the district as a PTO treasurer and substitute teacher, and I now continue to remain involved as a classroom and PTO volunteer.”
Why are you running for a seat on the Minooka 201 board?
“I’m running for school board because I believe that my extensive experience with schools has given me the knowledge to pass educational policies that meet the needs of students, preserve the interests of the taxpayer by controlling unnecessary costs, and comply with governmental regulations without losing local control over our curriculum or what best suits the needs of our Minooka 201 community.”
What changes do you think the board needs to make?
“I believe that being an effective board member requires a commitment to provide a quality, common-sense education to students, to encourage lifelong learning that does not require an over-reliance on standardized testing. And, control unnecessary costs that, if left unchecked or allowed to continue, will eventually lead to increased taxes imposed on the local taxpayer. I have the knowledge, experience and desire to make this commitment. I want to provide a quality education to our students at the best value to our taxpayer.”
Editor’s note: Mireya Martin is married to sitting Minooka 201 school board member Doug Martin.
John S. Clucas, incumbent
What is your experience with Minooka School District 201?
“I have been a Minooka 201 board member for two years, was on the Minooka 201 finance committee for eight years, and I was on the Minooka 201 education committee that updated the policy manual for the district.”
Why are you running for a seat on the Minooka 201 board?
“I am running for re-election to the school board for Minooka 201 because I believe school finance and the management of the district’s resources is critical to ensuring a high-quality, affordable education. I want to ensure that high quality education for all children, that is affordable for the community. We can’t allow a personal agenda to cloud our vision; it’s about providing the best education we can provide with the resources [money] we are given.”
What changes do you think the board needs to make?
“The biggest problem our school district faces is the lack of funding, and the biggest challenge we face is to preserve a high-quality academic program. Despite our low spending, the district is still facing financial challenges. We have done a great job maintaining an affordable, high-quality education for our students, but the declining funding coming from the state and federal government, coupled with the dramatic reduction loss of local funding due to falling EAVs has posed some real problems for our district that won’t go away.”
Alan Skwarczynski, incumbent
What is your experience with Minooka School District 201?
“I have been a member of the Minooka Elementary School Board since July 2010. While on the school board, I have not missed a meeting. I have given input into the allocation of resources within the Minooka Grade School District. I also serve as a Minooka Fire Protection District Commissioner. I have been a commissioner on the Grundy County Planning Commission for the past 19 years serving as chairman for 18 years.”
Why are you running for a seat on the Minooka 201 board?
“I have been a Minooka resident for 25 years, and this is a chance for me to give back to our community. I have considerable expertise in school finances and educational instruction which will enable me to make sound decisions regarding the education of our students. As a taxpayer in this community, I am sensitive to the concerns of taxpayers relative to the cost of education. I am a firm believer in high-quality education and I understand the importance of professional and dedicated teachers and staff members.”
What changes do you think the board needs to make?
“The first, is to increase the high level of student achievement for all students within our schools. A second, would be to prudently use our limited financial resources and provide a strong educational program for all of our children.”
Ed Cronin
What is your experience with Minooka School District 201?
“I have lived in Shorewood for 22 years and all three of my children attended Minooka 201 schools.”
Why are you running for a seat on the Minooka 201 board?
“All of my children received a good education from Minooka, so now it is time for me to give back. While I will represent the whole school district, I want to be a representative for the children in Shorewood, as a lot of children in this area attend Minooka schools. I have been in the floral industry for 28 years, with now being a vice president. I have managed people, I have business experience, and I feel like I am a practical, common sense type of guy.”
What changes do you think the board needs to make?
"I truly believe in teachers, principals and staff and want to give as much support as they possibly can have. I want to bring practical points to the district's budget issues. I also feel like I can bring value to the service of finding a new superintendent."