2017 Election Questionnaire: Deborah Sykora, Valley View School Board

Name: Deborah (Debbie) Sykora

Age: 64

Town of residence: Bolingbrook

Position sought: Valley View 365U School Board

Family:

Richard Sykora (65) - Spouse - Retired Teacher
Jacqueline Sykora (36) - Daughter - CPA (Graduate of BHS)
Jonathan Sykora (33) - Son - Designer for accounting software
(Graduate of BHS)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: None

Education:

Bachelor's Degree from Illinois State University
Master's Degree from National Louis University
+ 40 hours past my master's degree

Occupation:

Retired Teacher
Taught for 37 years
Taught 35 years in Valley View

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Position: I am currently serving on the Valley View School Board

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

The single most pressing issue facing our district is the unfunded state mandates. The only thing that we can do is to make sure that our district continues to focus on what is best for our children in Valley View. As an example, we are currently converting the old administration building to be able to accommodate an expansion of our Early Childhood Program.

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

I feel that what sets me apart from the other candidates is the fact that I understand the workings of a school system and I understand what is educationally sound for children due to the fact that I taught for over thirty-five years. I have served four years on the Valley View School Board and would like to continue the work that I am currently doing to make our school district one of the best in the state. I serve on several committees that help to make decisions on discipline, safety and curriculum for the district. Not only have I taught for over thirty-five years, but I have also been a consultant for two major textbook companies as well as a presenter at a National Middle School Conference.

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

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Valley View School District is a front runner in many aspects of education. I feel that one of the reasons that we continue to improve is because of the focus of senior leadership and our board.. We are constantly keeping our children up to date with such things as 1 to 1 technology devices. By the end of the 2019 school year all of our children will have their own chrome books to be used in school as well as at home. I serve on the academic committee for the district that has helped to incorporate the chrome books into the classrooms as well the experts that are necessary to facilitate the chrome books into the curriculum.

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

I would like to see the Early Childhood expansion completed and successful. By this I mean that I would like to see the data that shows that early childhood is indeed a strong component in a child's educational success. I would like to see the number of students that are college and career ready increase. I would also like to see administration work at easing the stress on the teachers about their rigorous evaluations and let them concentrate on their teaching of the children.

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

One mistake I have made that is very funny is the day that I wore one black shoe and one blue shoe to school. I was in such a hurry to get to school to tutor that I didn't take notice of the different colored shoes. After having a fellow teacher tell me about it, I was quite embarrassed. However, I did learn that I needed to slow down and take notice of the small things around me.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I have lived in the community for over forty years. I taught in the district for over thirty-five years. I served as a mentor for new teachers and was a math key leader for the district. I have served on the Valley View School Board for the past four years. Both of my children graduated from Bolingbrook High School. I have a vested interest in the community and especially the school system.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

Be the change that you want to see in the world'
-Mahatma Gandhi-

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

I would like the government employees to be fiscally responsible to the taxpayers.

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

I believe that we should be fiscally responsible in our spending of funds. We need to make sure that the money that is spent is spent on making our schools safe and on making the education of our children the best that it can be.

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

My proudest accomplishments from my past that would cite as evidence that I can handle this job is the fact that I taught in the Valley View District for over thirty-five years. During that time, I am proud of the fact that every year I got to know all of my students (180 of them). Many of my former students have gone on to become teachers and have told me that I am one of the main reasons that they became a teacher. I served on many committees during the thirty-five years of teaching and since I have been on the school board I continue to serve on many committees to help better the district.

The best advice ever shared with me was ...

The best advice ever shared with me is, you can't complain about something if you are not willing to be a part of the solution..

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

I would like the voters to know that I truly care about children and their education. I would not have served in the capacity of a teacher and board member for the past forty plus years if I truly did not care about our school system and the children.

More via Sykora's campaign website

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