Gordon Snyder, District 205 Board Candidate

ELMHURST, IL — Gordon Snyder is one of six candidates for three seats on the Elmhurst School District 205 board. Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Gordon Snyder

Age (as of election day)

51

Town/city of residence

Elmhurst

Family

Wife - Meg, boys Hayden (York '19) and Everett (York '22)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

University of Iowa, BS Engineering (Civil), 1992

Occupation

Construction Operations Manager - 25+ years

Campaign website

Gordon205.org

Previous or current elected or appointed office

District 205 Finance committee - current member

The single most pressing issue facing our district is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Of course, the most pressing issue today is the learning environment as impacted by the pandemic. I hope to work with the board to move our community towards the best possible scenario for in-person teaching and development in a safe, effective, and productive manner.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have a depth of understanding of engineering and construction. This long term developed competency, coupled with academic and professional learnings and accreditations, are unique to any other candidate. The district has started construction of $168.5M in building, remodeling and facilities improvements, but the bulk of the projects are still to come. Over the next few years – we need a subject matter expert on the board who can provide strong guidance. These are facilities that are going to stand in our community for decades. I want to ensure that they are designed, built, and maintained in the best capacity possible.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

The pandemic has brought about one of the most challenging times in our education system, if not the most challenging period to date. There are myriad opinions as to how a public education should be delivered today. If elected, I hope to distill the community concerns, and work collaboratively towards decisions that are beneficial to as many students, teachers and administrators as possible.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Every child has a unique set of needs, and our district should be dynamic enough to allow for a strong educational experience for each student. I support programs that allow for this flexibility. Also, I believe that there are many avenues for a child post York – be it a “traditional” path to college, one that includes a trade or vocational program, or perhaps a path that includes immediately entering the job market. We need to support a wide range of options for our students and set them up for success in any of these choices. Lastly, we need to remember that we have a diverse socio-economic population in our district. Understanding how to best meet the needs of every child – regardless of background – is imperative.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

This job needs an expert to help guide the building program happening now and in the next few years. As a licensed Professional Engineer, I understand the complexity of large-scale design and construction projects. This experience comes from years of managing projects in the Chicago area, within budget and on strict timelines. Since moving to Elmhurst over twenty-two years ago, I have been a very active volunteer. I am a current member of the District 205 Finance committee and was also on the Community Advisory team in advance of the $168.5M referendum. I was the Treasurer of the Emerson PTA for two years and have served on multiple committees for both Emerson and Churchville. I am a current member of the York PTA and Athletic Boosters Club. Finally, one of my passions is youth sports. I was a coach for many years for Elmhurst Eagles football, Elmhurst Youth and Electric baseball, Elmhurst YMCA and Knights basketball, and Elmhurst Lacrosse.

Why should voters trust you?

In my professional life as an engineer and manager, personally as a coach, volunteer, and active member of the community, as well as a father and husband – my integrity and ethics are at the core of my being. As I tell my sons, character is what you are doing when no one is watching. I ran for this board in 2019 for the same reason I am running today. I believe I can make an indelible impact on the framework of our education system in Elmhurst, to insure we leave a strong legacy of success for children today and tomorrow.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

I believe helping the district deliver to the promise funded by the referendum – building and remodeling facilities within the budget and timeline – would illustrate success. Also, assisting in a successful teacher contract negotiation (currently it expires at the end of June), would be an accomplishment. Finally, we need to work towards continuous improvement in our early learning center, elementary schools, middle schools, York and the transition center. We should never accept good; we should always be working towards great.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

As a member of the District 205 Finance committee for over two years, I have a working knowledge of the district budget, expense models, and fiduciary vision. I take very seriously the commitment to spend our dollars wisely.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Our city, state, country and world are in the midst of a demanding era. We need to come together as a people to provide a secure, healthy and accepting environment for all citizens.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

Racial equality is of paramount importance in today’s society. I am not aware of the actions or initiatives that have been adopted by the current board.

What are your thoughts on the district’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you in favor of remote learning, in-person learning or a hybrid of the two? Do you support a mask mandate for students and school staff, or mandatory coronavirus testing for both students and staff?

Much like my sons have learned from the York English department, there is always room for improvement! I want students to get back to school, in-person full time, as soon as it is reasonable and safe to do so. I support a mask mandate for students and school staff. I do not support mandatory coronavirus testing. Aside from significant cost, I doubt it will provide clarity or easily actionable information. There are already state (IDPH) and local (DPCHD) agencies providing data and guidelines that are fluid at best, and sometime contradict one another. I do not believe the District has the experience or capacity to direct different actions if our positivity rate is higher or lower than other reporting agencies.

When the vaccine is available to them, do you support mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff?

Vaccines should be strongly recommended for everyone. However, I do not believe it should be at District 205’s direction to make a vaccination mandatory. I also believe there will be practical and legal implications surrounding such a mandate.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was ____________

Do not define success by money, power or fame. Instead, measure success by answering the question, “Did I do my best today?”