2017 Election Questionnaire: William Slabich Jr., Plainfield School Board

Name: William A. Slabich Jr.

Age: 42

Town of residence: Plainfield

Position sought: School board member, Plainfield School District 202

Family:

Wife: Donna Chiordi Slabich

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education:

High School in order: St. Vincent in Lemont IL, Oswego High, and graduated from Waubonsie in 1992

College: Did a year at College of DuPage

Trade school: Local 265 Sheet metal union apprenticeship school

Occupation: Partner and project manager at Key West Metal Industries Inc. out of Crestwood IL. Which is a Union construction company with Plumbing, Pipe fitting, Sheet metal, Machinist, and Millwright divisions. Specializing in Industrial, and commercial projects

Previous or current elected or appointed office: I have served for one term on the Plainfield 202 school board

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

I bet just about every single person will say the finances of the district. To me it is what the lack of finances are doing to our district as a whole. We as a district are capped at a set amount by the State to collect. Just like a lot of the other collar county's in our area. With this capped amount, and the payments the state has not given us over the years it creates a balancing act for finances. Before I was on the board, and during the housing boom Plainfield built at a rapid pace. Creating a total of 30 buildings to date in our district. Some built at the same time, or in a short period of time. When it comes to maintenance and upkeep it equals about three to four million dollars a year to take care of the roofs, boilers, parking lots, upgrades etc for these thirty buildings in our district. Which intern depletes our funds rapidly in that area. Then add up the funds that the state has not paid our district over the years for transportation, special education and the Ed fund it creates a shortage to deal with.

Many years before I got on the board I was told there was a feeling of distrust when it came to finances. Some of the financial numbers the board was getting back then from previous administration wasn't timely, and would fluctuate cause of the rapid growth in the district from what I hear. Which as most know if you do not supply timely, or accurate numbers it can create tension, unease, or possible lack of trust. Which is the rumbling I hear from our Teachers, and support staff. Add in now the state being without a budget for a very long time, the state being behind on monies owed to the district, and a state pension shortfall cloud hanging over us all, it creates even more tension.

What do I intend to do about this, and what have we done to date since I came on the board? Lets start with what has been done since I came on the board to help:
* We have looked at refinancing existing debts to a lower rate to free up funds
* We have kept the budget balanced, and slowly increased our fund balance sheet. Allowing us to get a better credit rating from Moody's. Which intern has allowed us to borrow at a lower rate, and pay off debt at a quicker rate. With the higher fund balance (which equals a bit over one semester), It has allowed us a slight cushion in case the state goes into a free fall, or opts to not pay us like in the past. All unknown's at this time

FYI
* We have changed how we run our Health insurance in the district to create an overall savings, and also slow the rise in increased costs annually for our employees.
* I have been very strict on the site committee when it comes to bids. Overseeing that we always have multiple bids that are from comparable companies. Also even asking to see scopes and drawings on projects that the administration would like to complete. My background in construction gives the district a knowledge they maybe didn't have before in this area. Making sure we get the most out of our tax dollars
* Assisting in hiring our new Business and operations manger Rick Engstrom. Rick has become a huge asset when it comes to fixing some of our past issues. His quick turnaround times, and precise numbers has created more transparency for us as a district. Which makes life a bit easier when trying budget with an unforeseen future in this climate. It also alleviates some of the past mistrust the employees maybe had in the past. By supplying those numbers our unions, and other employees ask for quicker. Don't get me wrong the tension is still there because of the lack of funds, and the lack of ways to create more funds, with the ongoing uncertainty with the state.
* While I have been on the board we have looked at many ways of cost cutting to balance this budget for our local tax payers. Some of which were hard decisions and not the easiest of things to do. Some were also creative, and made a great impact for our students future.

What I plan to do in the future to help with this issue:
* Create more of an open door communication policy between employees and administration
* Look into our schools as a whole to see what ways we can create a savings to increase funds for technology to further our kids education
* Keep the ongoing transparency with our union members, and support staff to gain back some of their trust. The transparency may not make them happy with the numbers we have to deal with, but at least it is an upfront approach. With this upfront information it makes it harder to argue, and create unrest.
* Try other ways to create a more appreciative work environment with our limited available fund's, and creates more of a friendly work atmosphere. We feel our employees are valuable, and do a great job. The fact that we have so many unknown's, budget shortfalls, and a locked in budget makes it very difficult to show your gratitude monetarily. So it is up to us to work with our employees the best we can with what we have been given.

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

There are a few differences:

1) I am working for our school districts future. By planning my future family with my wife I need to look long term in our communities future. I need to make sure we are getting the best education for the money, and provide the most well rounded education. By providing this type of school district it keeps our community succeeding and our property values in check, because people will want to move and live here
2) With my background in budgets, and construction it gives the board an edge that we wouldn't have without me. It creates a checks and balance approach to spending, and ideas we did not have before. Which I feel we need.

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

I feel this is all in your definition of "failing." If you feel trying to balance a budget to get the best education for the money by looking at tough ways to save money is a failure, you're always going think we are failing at our job. Looking outside the box creates friction sometimes, but is sometimes needed to get the most out of the little we have to work with as a large district. I always have the best intentions in mind for our students, tax payers, and parents. It is a very tough job to deal with our citizens two biggest concerns in life. Their children, and their finances. Trying to create a successful district when the majority of your bills are payroll creates difficultly, and judgement from the outside. With some always thinking you are failing and not trying hard enough. All I can say is that I stepped up, and I have tried for our community. I was sick of complaining about how things were, and decided to try and make a difference. I'm sure I won't always make the right decisions but I know one thing. I will always have the best of intentions for our children, and taxpayers in mind.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Things I would like to see get accomplished in our district:

* All day kindergarten for all students in our district
* An eight period day in our high schools to open up more opportunity to create a more well rounded student
* Offer more AP classes in summer school for athletes, band members, and other student's with extra outside club desires.
* Assist in keeping our budget balanced for what looks like a bleak financial future for our district around 2019-2020

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

* I would like to look into creating a special education system that could reduce the amount of student's we send out of district with special needs.
* Also completing the implementation of the all day kindergarten in our district

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

Never judge a book by its cover. If you someone is acting different, if there is a problem, if someone is acting out, if they are down. Look into it! My first couple times on student discipline was a shock. You could see a kid that is getting bad grades, acts of yelling, stealing, fighting etc. Until you investigate their history, see why their grades have dropped, read about family issues, lack of structure. You need to know the history before you can act. No different than one of my employees sometimes. You see a person having a bad week, attitude change etc. You need to have a meeting. Let them talk to you, and you listen. Sometimes it is as simple as that. Other times they may ask you for a hand. We all run into issues in our life that feel like endless weight on our shoulders. Student's, parents, spouses, employee's, bosses everyone. We sometimes wish someone would take the time to listen, care and invest in us. That is our job on the board. By doing those things we hope we can turn that one student around, that thought they never had a chance. Doing your homework while on this board is an invaluable asset for the administration, your fellow board members, and the students.

Why should voters trust you?

I have no agenda, I am here as a concerned Plainfield citizen, and I want our district to be the best for our community and my future children. It is simple..... Investing my donated time to our school district, attending church near by, assisting local charities, makes me someone who wants to be a difference maker in our community.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

"Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people." Eleanor Roosevelt

"Try to be a great mind." Bill Slabich

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

1) What do you bring to the board to make it better, and more well rounded?
2) What do you expect to accomplish on the board, and how do you see completing that accomplishment?

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

I have gone into depth above on spending in the other questions. My attitude is simple. Get the most you can out of the funds given, all while creating a stable financial, and learning future for our district. Never over extend the districts finances, and be and advocate for living within our means.

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

* Implemented the new security alert system in all of our schools for children safety
* Voted always for safety in regards to our teachers, and students during discipline hearings
* Have our technology department and curriculum departments looking into increasing technology towards tablets possibly in the future
* Voted for bus safety measures for our students
* Implemented more security camera's outside buildings after too many issues have come about with vandalism
* Voted to replace band uniforms cause of age, sizing issues, and wear and tear. Our band program is a great one, and was in dire need of upgraded uniforms.
* Voted to replace the score boards at the high schools with ones that will allow us to advertise and raise money to pay for them, and future other costs.
* Assisted in raising our credit score to get our district finances back in better shape

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

Best advice for a board member I have heard:
Think of yourself in a booth as oversight only. If you surround yourself with knowledgeable people, and let them do their job with the tools you have given them they can succeed. You are not there to be an employee, but as oversight to carry on the vision of the district, and community.

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

I am a dedicated citizen trying to make a difference. I am a business owner that likes to think outside the box to create success for others. I let my employees, and those around me give me feedback. That way I can learn as I grow. This position can be one of the most gratifying, and probably one of the most judged positions. It is all volunteer based position that is always scrutinized by others, but when you see those kids walking through those graduation lines, winning competitions, succeeding at sports, and returning to Plainfield after they get their careers you realize this is all worth it.

I would appreciate your vote in April, and I will try the best I can to help our district move forward.

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