2013 Election: Jean Stanker

Name: Jean Stanker

Position Sought: Frankfort School District 157C Board of Education Member

Campaign Contact Information: jmstanker@comcast.net

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

My highest priority is to work with other board members to get the best value for the taxpayers that we can. Included in that is to work to get Springfield to cover their end of the bargain, and not push it off on local taxpayers after they've promised to fund education when they raise our taxes, then they cut funding.

Home Address: 62 East Bowen, Frankfort, Il. 60423

Family Members:

Tom Stanker, husband.
Kelsey Stanker, daughter, 22
Katie Stanker, daughter, 19
Cara Stanker, daughter, 14

Education: 

University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana, LAS English/Teaching, 1981.

Current Occupation and Employer:

AmSan, Sales representative. 28 years in the industry.

Political Party Affiliation: Independent.

Why are you seeking office?

I am seeking re-election to the School Board because I believe that the most valuable thing we can give our children is a good education and a thirst for learning. They will be facing challenges and situations that we cannot even dream of, and need all the tools and advantages we can give them, considering the state of the world that we are handing over to them.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I am just a normal, working mom, but I've been very involved in the schools and with the children for the past 15 years. I work outside of the education space, so I bring a business perspective, which has been valuable. I think my greatest value is that I really care what happens to out schools and our children, and am a hard worker.

In you opinion, what are the primary challenges facing this district?

Finances are, and probably always will be, a major challenge for all school districts. The economic downturn has not made things any easier, nor have dropping EAV's. We watch our finances very carefully, have been blessed with a great, supportive taxpayer base, and good admininstrative team that manages to keep us very lean and mean.

How will you address those challenges?

We have refinanced some of our long term debt and continue to tighten our belts wherever possible, and will look at every option to continue our upward trajectory as one of the best districts in the south suburbs. We address all of our challenges as a board, however, not as individuals, so I would address all challenges as a part of the team.

If elected, what will be your philosophy as a board member?

My philosophy has always been to do what is best for the kids, and find a way to make it work.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

I would really like to have more community input into our district, in many forms. I think that our schools are an intrinsic part of the community, and that they belong to everyone, not just parents who have children who go to the schools. I would love to see our retired residents get more involved, and the kids interact with the community and local groups.