Debbie Chafee running for North Palos District 117 School Board

I am a candidate for the North Palos District school board in the April 2nd elections. My husband, Ian, and I have lived in Hickory Hills for 20 years and have two daughters. Grace is a junior at Stagg High School and Katelyn is in 7th grade at Conrady Jr. High. I humbly request your consideration and support.

Below is information on why I am running for the NPD 117 school board and my qualifications.

Why I am Running for School Board

I firmly believe that a good education opens the door for future opportunities. I feel very fortunate to live in such a great community and to have such amazing schools for our kids. I am interested in volunteering my time as a school board member to help keep our communities and schools successful and strong. I do not have any hidden agendas or alternative motivations.

School Board Qualifications

A healthy school board is comprised of elected community members with diverse backgrounds that are willing to listen to each other. I have extensive experience in school district finance and school funding that would be of value to the school board that serves our community.

Illinois recently changed how the State provides funding for schools. The original proposal incorrectly identified our community as wealthy and would have eliminated almost all of our State education funding and would have asked us to fund our schools through increased property taxes. I have worked with State legislators and community groups over the past five years to tell our community's story and advocate for more State education funding for middle-class communities like ours.

The results have been very positive for our community and school district. Instead of eliminating our State education funding, our State education funding has more than doubled. In the new funding formula that recently became law, North Palos District 117 is in the group of school districts that receive the majority of any new State education funding. For example, the new school funding formula resulted in North Palos receiving an increase of 1.3 million dollars in State education funding this school year. The new school funding formula also contains a Property Tax Relief grant that provides funding for meaningful property tax relief.

Link to a Phil Kadner article about my role in school funding. Chicago Tribune article by Phil Kadner on School Funding

My Commitments to You

• Work with our teachers, administrators, staff, parents, and community to keep our schools strong and successful
• Ensure that we spend within our means and have balanced budgets
• Make decisions that are in the best interest of our students and communities for both today and the next generation
• Continue to work with State Legislators to further increase State education funding and decrease our reliance on property taxes to adequately fund our schools

Educational and Professional Background

• 20 years of experience working in the financial services industry as a business analyst
• Bachelor of Arts degree from North Central College with a double major in Accounting and Computer Science
• Master of Data Science degree from Elmhurst College
• Registered CPA
• Past volunteer as a room parent for 12 years and park district coach for softball and soccer