About James Gaffney

Name: James Gaffney

Position sought: Board Member, CUSD #303

Campaign contact information: J.Gaffney@Gaflandltd.com

cell no. 630-430-6180

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

I want to try and make sure every student is educated to their ability and that they are educated in such a manner, that they become a success in any endeavor and become a useful participant in society.

Home address: St. Charles, IL. 60175

Family members: Maria — spouse

Four children, all graduates of St. Charels East High School

12 grandchildren, some in or graduated from Charels East High School

Education: "Graduate, St. Charles High School — 1965

IBEW journeyman electrician, 1970-2012

NECA — Schooling on estimating, foremanship, supervision.

Current occupation and employer: Retired former owner/CEO of Gaffney's PMI, (electrical Utility Contractor)

Political party affiliation: N/A

Why Are You Seeking Office?

I'm asking to be re-elected.

I want to make sure the district has the proper leadership team, high quality support personnel, (teachers, maintenance, mechanics, bus dtivers, office staff, etc.).

As being a business owner, I learned, and bring experience in finance, dealings w/personnel, barrgaining unit contracts.

I have no specific agenda for this office, but I will, as I have in the past, way every decision, with the best interest of the student in mind, and be financially responsible to the tax payer.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I am — who I am.

I am dedicated, loyal, and value my principals, along with the principals of the tax payer.

I bring the proven appraoch of a business owner to the board and staff. The rewards to the tax payer are numerous, when a professional business man is part of a board,. In all, most successful business owners have a keen sense for finance along w/being somewhat frugal. It's your money, how you want it spent is up to you, I perfer, someone who understand the aspects of business, remember the school district - is a business.

Issue 1: What steps will you take to maintain/improve the quality of education in District 303 schools?

Continue to hire qualiified and compentent educators and personnel.

Maintain a safe environment for students and our personnel.

I will continue to suppor the staff in their thinking “outside the box.” I firmly believe that the board along with the staff is a team, and I will continue to insist that there is always a team effort, and that there will be no single agenda items, there is no room for “I” individuals, in a team.”

Issue 2: What will you do to keep the district within its budget?

"The staff and board must continue to monitor the expendures.

Myself and along with the other board members, must maintain a balance between the cost of education and cost to the tax payer.But everyone must understand that there are cuts/adjustments that can be accompolished — but — there are other cost, which fall outside nthe control of the board. This is where the tax levy falls into play, to maintain a balance budget it is necessary to review the levy on a year to year basics.

Issue 3: The state of Illinois is grappling with a pension crisis that some blame on the practice of pension spiking. What is your stance on pension spiking and How do you propose to address the issue during contract negotiations?

Diffucult question, as of right now, I don't think any one can predict, what exactly, if anything, what the legislators will do.

As a business man, I have a real hard time understanding how it seems as though the local tax payer always ends up STUCK, for the failure of others on making good decisions. If you are part of the private sector and your funds are misappropriated, there is no one bail - you out. Why then, I ask, should the local tax payer be held responsible for bailing out the legislators for their bad decisions.

As far as any opinon or comment on contract negotiations, I am not part of the team doing the negotiation, so I have no comment, until such time as the contract is brought to the board for a vote.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

I have been part of numerous boards and committees over the years, and I will say this without hestiation, this D 303 board is by far the finest board I've ever been involved with. They vote on all types of subjects, and they may not agree at the table, but after the vote is taken, the board comes back to solidarity and moves on, along with that, this board has a mutual respects and liking for each other, there is no animosity amount these individuals, either towards each other or staff and visa-versa.

To the voter, I would highly recommend re-electing the present board members, they do have your best interest in mind.