2017 Election Questionnaire: Rod Westfall, Plainfield School Board

Name: Rod Westfall

Age: 61

Town of residence: Plainfield

Position sought: Plainfield District 202 Board of Education Member

Family:

Married, 2 children

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: My wife is a Secretary for District 202. She was hired five years before I became a School Board Member.

Education: Some college

Occupation: Facility Manager for a National Corporate Real Estate Firm

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Current member of the Board of Education

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

Finances. Since 2007 the State of Illinois has short changed us payments that they legally owe us in the amount of 61.6 million in General State Aid, 1.6 million in Special Education payments, and 9.9 million in Transportation costs. For a total of 73.5 million dollars. In spite of this we have a cash balance to keep our buildings open for 90 days. This while the State has not passed a budget in over 2 years. We have an AA- Bond rating which is reflective of our cost saving measures over the last 10 years.

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

My years of experience with Facilities, Construction, and Budgeting. When I was the chairman of the site management committee I was able to work with our architects to have our buildings constructed with the same foot print which saved our district hundred's of thousands of dollars. Also as the representative of District 202 for the Wilco Career Center including the last 3 years as President giving our children other options for a career after High School due to the expense of College.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Sound financial responsibility. Working all across the District to listen to our community. We had a District wide survey of which our community wanted 3 things, Full Day Kindergarten, Foreign Language in Middle School, and adding an 8th period to the high School Day. Two of these are implemented now and we are working on the third. Plus we now have cash reserves that will keep us running for 90 days. And we have a AA- S&P rating which is good. We offer more AP classes than ever before, Our School District has been named to the 7th annual Advanced Placement District Honor roll. This prestigious honor recognizes 433 school districts across the country and Canada.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?

Continuing to be able to provide our children with a quality Education so they can be successful.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career.

Listening to people who have ulterior motives.

Why should voters trust you?

I am up front. I get calls all the time from people that live in our community and I do my best to get them answers. They might not like the results but they know that I will bring forward their concerns.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

I say what I mean and mean what I say.

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?

Work together both Parties to pass a responsible budget that provides adequate and responsible funding for Education. Without adding to the growing deficit.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

We have been fiscally responsible we as a community have accomplished Great things considering the financial shape of our State. We have also updated our Facilities as they are constantly used by our residents for meetings and Sports activities.

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

We have saved taxpayer dollars by bringing in Special Ed programs by repurposing buildings that have save our community 2 million dollars a year. We had our architect's design our buildings the same to save in fees for each building that was constructed during the rapid Growth time. Also when the time comes we can sell the buildings to either a college for an off site campus or to a Senior Living Facility. We have added thru Tax Exempt working cash bonds an upgrade to our High School Track and Football fields which will save us 200 thousand a year not counting water cost for utilities. We are also working on generating other revenue streams.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

There are usually 3 sides to each story.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

That I will continue to work hard for our children and our community.

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