Write in Dan Sodaro for 229

Hi all,

For those that don’t know me, my name is Dan Sodaro, a life-long resident of Oak Lawn.  I am a graduate of St. Gerald’s Elementary, Oak Lawn Community High School and Governors State University.  I have served on the Ridgeland 122 School District Board for the last eight years and as its President for the past six.  Most importantly, I am husband to Dawn and a father to Jacob (sophomore at OLCHS), Lucas (fifth grader at Columbus Manor) and Abbie (third grader at Columbus Manor).

I am a write-in candidate for the Oak Lawn Community High School 229 School Board.

First, a back story on why I’m a write-in candidate.  I decided that after two
terms it was time for a new set of eyes to come to the 122 Board and I opted
not to run.  OLCHS decided to cut a period from their school day and I attended those meetings and spoke out against the cut.  I came home the night
of the vote and told my wife I was going to run.  The next day I asked my son, Jacob, how he would feel about it.  His response was “dad, for eight years everywhere in school I heard your name…”  I stopped him there and told him no problem, enough said, I understand.  End of story.  I didn’t like what was going on at the school but deferred to him, he is 15, been there, done that.  Fast forward three months and registration for the 2013-2014 school year comes through and he realizes the effect of the lost period and asked “dad is it too late for you to run and bring that class back?  I know it’s too late for it to help me, but Lucas and Abbie will be there soon enough.”  That was all it took.  I registered as a write in the next day.

No, I am not a single issue candidate.   There is much work to be
done at any school and OLCHS is no different.

A few highlights of my time at Ridgeland 122 in no particular order.  I don’t
stake claim to any one of these as my own. These were accomplished by cooperation between Board Members, Administration, Staff (Union and non-union), parents, and the students.

• Turned projected eight digit deficits into cash reserves to last into the future

• Restructured debt obligations to decrease property tax burden on homeowners including two tax abatements in the last four years

• Instituted a foreign language program

• Lowered student fees

• Expanded technology, including instructional programs, computers, and smart boards in all class rooms

• Successfully negotiated three contracts that are fair to the staff and the taxpayers

The list of accomplishments could go on, not because of me but because there are so many things the school, its Board and its staff need and do accomplish. There are so many things that I am proud of that we have accomplished.  There are always tough decisions and many that will be second guessed, but I can honestly say that in my eight years on the Board, I have cast the vote I thought was best.

I wish nothing but the best to the other candidates for the 229 School Board and all the candidates up for election tomorrow.  It takes a lot of time, hard work, sweat and tears, and you lay yourself out there for the world to judge. 

Please exercise your right to vote tomorrow and when you see

Board Member, Oak Lawn Community High School District 229

Please write-in Dan Sodaro

Thank you for your consideration.

Dan Sodaro