Candidate Forum for City Council
School Board, and Township Seats
Collinsville Township Senior Center
420 E. Main Street, Collinsville
Thursday, March 21
6:00-6:15 p.m. Meet & Greet
6:15-9:30 p.m. Candidate Forum
Candidate Information Prepared by the League of Women Voters of Collinsville
Adam Latham
Biographical Information
I’ve lived in Maryville for ten years, and have three children in District schools boy/girl twins, age 14, who attend Collinsville Middle School, and a 12-year old son in the 6th grade at Dorris Intermediate School. I have an MBA degree from Webster University, and a Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri. I currently work as a Postal Inspector (a Federal law enforcement agent), conducting complex fraud investigations in Southern Illinois.
Top Three Issues of Candidacy
Return fiscal discipline after spending $4 million more than it took in last year, the board this year passed a budget with a projected $7 million deficit. Instead of conserving cash, the board went on an irresponsible spending spree. I will work to develop balanced budgets for the district.
Increase transparency of school board meetings I will advocate for placing board meetings exhibits on the district website for easy access to the public, and will also work to get audio and/or video recordings of board meetings made available to the public.
Raise student scores The district is not making Adequate Yearly Progress under the No Child Left Behind Act, due to the failure of students with disabilities and other subgroups to meet thresholds. As the parent of a child with a developmental disability, I will work to reverse this trend.
Gary A. Peccola
Biographical Information
Gary A. Peccola, 56
Married (Debbie), no children
School Board Member (8 years)
President, School Board (2009-Present)
Member, Board Budget Committee (2005-2009)
Master Board Member, Illinois Association of School Boards
Co-Chair of CLASS (Unit 10 Community Engagement Project, 2004)
Lifelong Collinsville resident
CHS graduate (1974)
SIU-E graduate (1978)
Former Air Force Captain (4 years active duty)
Collinsville contractor/developer (30 years)
Chairman, Team 10 (coalition supporting a drug-free community)
Top three issues in my candidacy:
Providing students with the best possible education in a safe environment while maintaining fiscal responsibility is the Board’s highest priority. I will continue to support:
Improving student test scores
Ongoing review of curriculum
Utilizing new technology
Promoting vocational program
Long-range planning
Board transparency
Staff collaboration model
Fiscal responsibility.
I am not in favor of increasing property taxes. With less revenue coming from the state and local property taxes, we must reduce spending. I am reviewing expenditures and all recommendations for reductions, and will work hard to minimize the impact on students and programs.
Increasing public awareness and community involvement.
I want to inform parents, community members and civic leaders of the positive opportunities offered by our district. They should also be aware of the unique challenges our district faces, including the fact that 55.8% of our student population is considered low-income.
Theresa Billy
Biographical Information
My name is Theresa Billy. I am a retired teacher in Unit 10, with 37 years of service, all at Webster School. I hold a MS plus 32 hours from SIU. I am married to Don and we have a daughter, Lori, a teacher at Kreitner and Head GirlsåÕ Basketball Coach at CHS. I am a member of the Kiwanis Club and Collinsville Christian Women. I am in my eighth year on the School Board.
Top Three issues of Candidacy
I hope to continue to serve the DISTRICT CHILDREN by promoting, in a fiscally sound manner, excellent schools and educators, utilizing the resources available from local and state funds. At this point it has become an intensely difficult responsibility, given the condition of our state financial status. Mandates No Money.
It is vital that we engage THE COMMUNITY TAXPAYERS in our endeavors to operate financially solvent schools and to hear their desires and work diligently for improvement at all levels. It is vital that trust be established and support be sought to continue an effective educational system. We need unity.
We are dependent upon a COMPETENT STAFF. Though we are responsible for giving the Superintendent authority to manage the staff, we cannot get involved in the day to day operations. We must trust them to carry out their duties. We have a moral obligation to delegate authority. We aren’t bosses!
Jim Achenbach
Biographical Information
Jim Achenbach, a graduate of Collinsville High School (1974) and the University of Illinois (1978), resides at 14 Willow Trail in Collinsville with wife Patti. He is employed in technical sales by the ITT Corporation. Jim has three adult children – Ronald, William, and Katherine. He previously served as a member of the Collinsville Board of Education (2003 åÐ 2011), attends St. John Evangelical UCC, and is an active supporter of the Boy Scouts of America.
Top Three Issues of Candidacy
Deficit Spending
From 2011 to 2013, the current board approved annual budgets with $8 million in red ink, depleting critical operating funds. Next year’s budget appears no different. Without change in district leadership, massive lay-offs, program cuts, and significant tax increases will occur over the next several years.
Property Taxes
The district’s large deficits are the result of a two-year hiring and spending spree. Instead of reducing spending, the current board is planning to increase property taxes another $750,000 by quietly shifting spending from one fund (Education) to another (Tort) where they have unlimited taxing power.
State of Illinois Pension Crisis
The State of Illinois faces $96 million in unfunded pension liabilities. There is a strong possibility that some of this burden will be shifted to local school districts beginning in 2013. This board needs experienced, fiscally responsible members capable of making tough decisions.
Gary Kusmierczak
Biographical Information
1970 CHS graduate. Debby and I have been married over 30 years; have 2 daughters who graduated from CHS in 2001 & 2006. Both have bachelor’s degrees. I have a BS in Accountancy from Illinois, and, an MA in Finance from Webster University. I am completing my third non-sequential term on the Unit 10 board. My work experience includes financial analysis, budgeting & forecasting, tax appeals and preparation, accounting, & commission sales.
Top Three Issues of Candidacy
First issue — Keeping taxpayers informed of board decisions concerning non-essential and non-sustainable spending. An elected official should act in a fiduciary manner and spend taxpayer money prudently. Current board members have not learned basic skills such as the effect of compounding annual salary and benefit costs. State and local funding are decreasing
Second issue — If Illinois shifts the current $95 billion unfunded pension liability to localities, make current and future beneficiaries assume that cost, not the local taxpayer. Their lobbyists secured the tax-free pensions and annual increases. Funding of pensions is unsustainable under existing law. Localities cannot afford any increased funding of those benefits.
Third issue — United States is ranked 17th and 25th in world math and science ability: how will Unit 10 increase students’ skill in those subjects? The district is shortening instruction time every Wednesday by half an hour, starting in the fall of 2013. Our country has the shortest school year and class time.