2013 Election Profile: Greg O’Neil

Address: 5400 block of Half Round Road, Oswego

Campaign contact information: gregoneil1959@gmail.com, 630-552-5399 

Family: Wife - Suzy, 2 daughters: Gillian 14, Rheannon 11

Education: University of Montana, BS Business Administration/Accounting, Northern Illinois University, MBA

Occupation: Self Employed - consulting and property management.

Why are you seeking office?

To try and bring a balance between community and school needs and issues and to try and modernize the current educational system that will allow it to operate more efficiently.

What set you apart from other candidates?

I have a great deal of experience in the private sector and as a former elected official. I have a strong background in finance and accounting that will be critical to the function of the school board.

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

We live in one of the highest taxed areas in the nation and its putting an undue amount of stress and pressure on many of our residents. The challenge will be to operate the school district within the means of the community it serves.

What do you consider to be the main issues facing the Oswego 308 School District today?

445 million dollars in total debt and growing enrollments are the districts greatest challenge. The tremendous debt to EAV ratio must be addressed with every decision made on the board.. We need to make better utilization of the expensive facilities that sit idle more than they are in operation.

How do you feel about the proposed school sales tax for District 308 and Kendall County? Would you support it?

We need more information about a sales tax but it is important to recognize that local taxes, regardless of the type, essentially come out of the same pocketbooks as property taxes. I would not support a sales tax unless it is temporary and a property tax freeze is put in place for its duration.

What suggestions do you have in the future for re-drawing boundary lines for schools as the district continues to grow?

We have boundary committees that spend a lot of time and effort to make recommendations that are fair and reasonable. I would very likely follow the recommendations of this group