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District 30 candidates show qualifications
Updated: April 15, 2013 6:15AM
NORTHBROOK — Residents running for School District 30 Board of Education believe having children enrolled in the district is an important interest in becoming a trustee.
The District 30 Caucus held a forum Monday night at Northbrook Public Library, where three of the group’s endorsed candidates spoke about the issues.
School District 30 serves Northbrook and Glenview.
Candidate Ursula Sedlak has two children who attend school in the district. She also is PTO president at Wescott School.
“I have a vested interest in this district,” said Sedlak, a first-time candidate.
“Not only because of my children, but because of every other child and family I have had the pleasure of working with and getting to know in my time there.”
Newcomer candidate Fred Sloneker has three District 30 children.
“Let’s put some candidates on the board who have children still attending District 30 schools. It is time to pass the baton,” he said.
His wife, Michelin, is co-PTO president at Willowbrook School.
“It should not be surprising that one learns the most about our schools during volunteer time spent on the grounds,” said Sloneker, a trading manager at Spiderrock Capital Management.
Seeking re-election, Ken Spero is a current school board trustee and has two children who are District 30 students.
Spero has served on the board for four years, during which trustees have maintained a balanced budget, expanded technology and started new curriculum, he said.
“Some of the highlights during my tenure on the board include offering Mandarin in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades. We are the only township district with this opportunity for our children,” said Spero, a radiologist at Northwest Community Hospital, Arlington Heights.
“We have also expanded our foreign language program to include Spanish in grades third through fifth.”
The three caucus-endorsed candidates face incumbent Karen Roloff — a school trustee since 1989 — and newcomer Donald Feinstein.
Sedlak’s professional background included general manager for a wholesale building products for 14 years, with experience in sales, credit and collections, inventory management and working with budgets.
“I have been involved in union negotiations, as well as hiring employees and employee evaluations,” she said. “I have a reputation for unbiased decision making and being community-minded. I am an open and respective listener and a team player,” Sedlak added.
Sloneker said he wanted to maintain the district’s “excellent record of achievement.”
“I want to make sure our students are on a cost-effective path to graduate from college or enter a career with marketable skills.”
“And I do not want to sacrifice the fun and nurturing atmosphere in our schools to attain those goals,” he said.
However, he added. the district faced challenges in state and federal funding and technological changes.
“Generalized analytical skills, flexibility, adaptability, and agility will be required. Experience and education have equipped me with what will be needed,” he said.
Looking ahead, Spero cited new facility planning and changes in administration.
“Our buildings are getting older and changes and repairs will need to be made. Hopefully, my tenure on the board and involvement with the community will help me to make sound decisions for future changes and repairs of our facilities,” he said.
