Live from Evergreen Park, it's the Meet the Candidates Forum

Welcome to the live blog from the Evergreen Park Community High School, hosted by the Evergreen Park PTA Council. Today's forum: Evergreen Park School District 124, District 231 and Moraine Valley Community College board candidates. For District 124, eight candidates are vying for three seats. District 231 has four candidates running for four seats.

9:11 p.m.

Everyone has just cleared out of Evergreen Park Community High School.

8:54 p.m.

Candidates are still around answering questions from residents. Dawn McNamara's husband is handing out campaign flyers with the slogan, "It's time for change," then the url for her website.

8:46 p.m.

The last question of the evening went to Rohan: What needs fixing in the district?

"I feel that communication is huge," she said. "Many of our issues are complex and it's very important to get that information out to the public." Rohan explained that a lot of the issues the district sends out in a blast, but it's not always effective. Rohan said finding ways to communicate effictively has been a huge challenge.

8:43 p.m.

Rohan was asked: What's the present financial status of District 124?

"The financial status is excellent," said Rohan.

This is the first year that we are operating in the deficit," said Rohan. "We'll be operiating from our reserves. We do have a nice fund balance, but we are seeing people contesting their taxes at an all-time high. "

8:37 p.m.

Question for Steve Duffy: How will you get the respect back in the district?

"That's a challenge," Duffy said.

"I think in order to do that, you really need to be involved. Not only at the board meetings, but talking to community members...and giving them honest feedback in what you feel the direction of the district is going. Also, listen to them...take that back to the board meetings and present it to them."

8:27 p.m.

Question asked to Dave Marzec: what technology needs improvement and how will it be funded?

Technology in the Computer lab at Central Junior High is outdated, he said. Marzec said they would look at funding more closely.

8:25 p.m.

An audience member asked Kathleen Rohan if it was more important to be fiscally responsible or having the needs of every individual child met?

"I have to look at everything as a whole," said Rohan. She said she noticed the need to balance all parties involved, taxpayers, businesses, students, parents, teachers and administration. Rohan said the district has to get creative in meeting the needs of each individual student.

8:23 p.m.

Asked why he described a state of "unrest in the district," 124, Steve Duffy replied, "The community is not really satisfied with the type of communication they've received." Duffy described how unhappy many parents and residents are with the state of District 124.

8:15 p.m.

A question raised asked Thomas Schergen about the number one issue he thought District 124 Board of Education was facing. He said funding the schools in the district, making sure the district remains fiscally responsible and finding alternatives to fund...thinking outside of the box.

8:11 p.m.

The forum resumes with the first question going to District 124 candidate Kathleen Rohan. The question asked what the urgency was in renewing Superintendent Diane Cody's contract. Rohan replied that it was normal for the board to renew the superintendent's contract before it expired.

7:41 p.m.

Candidates and forum guests break for fifteen minutes. Guests are submitting questions.

7:38 p.m.

Christopher Trzeciak, who's father Ray Trzeciak is also on the board, is a graduate of Evergreen Park Community High School as well.

"Consolidation is a big issue," Trzeciak said. The referendum idea, bond issues and finance issues are also issues according to him.

He noted that there are a number of individuals on the board with financial experience. "The high school is in excellent financial shape," said Trzeciak.

7:31 p.m.

Shaun Murphy, a 1997 graduate of Evergreen Park Community High School, said in addition to a few other things, "I want to make sure money is spent efficiently and in the right way in our classrooms."

Candidate Larry Symanski, a 1976 Evergreen Park Community High School graduate, has experience in the retail industry, financial and health management industries

"I understand the committment and responsibility this position brings." Symanski said his father also sat on the DIstrict 231 board.

Symanski said he wants to make sure that the "students come first so that they are prepared for future success."

7:29 p.m.

Candidates for District 231 begin their opening statements. Board of Education member

Christopher Brett said the real reason why he decided to go for election was his experience on the board and with his daughters attending the school.

"We have a strong, committed board...blessed with a very strong and committed superintendent and principal...and I want to continue that," said Brett.

"My daughter Eileen, a senior, will be my 4th daughter to graduate. Everybdy that I've known who've graduated from EPCHS has been prepared to do whatever it is that they want to do next," said Brett,"  and I want to continue that."

7:20 p.m.

Current District 124 Board president Kathleen Rohan spoke about the importance of serving more than one term on the board of education.

I have nothing but good things to say about our experience" in the district, said Tom Schergen, newly voted District 124 board member.

7:06 p.m.

We were led in the pledge of allegiance by Evergreen Park PTA Council's Peg Burns.

Candidates begin to give their opening statements, 3 minutes each.

No Candidates from Moraine Valley Community College were able to attend. District 124 Board of Education candidates Dwayne Pierre-Antoine and Raymond Richter are not in attendance.

7: 00 p.m

Welcome to the live blog from the Evergreen Park Community High School, hosted by the Evergreen Park PTA Council. Today's forum: Evergreen Park School District 124, District 231 and Moraine Valley Community College board candidates. For District 124, eight candidates are vying for three seats. District 231 has four candidates running for four seats.

We'll be live blogging frequently throughout the evening. Stay tuned.