2013 Election: Richard C. Ward

Name: Richard C. Ward

Position Sought: Board Member - Summit Hill School District 161

Campaign Contact Information: 

RCW.District161@comcast.net

(815) 806-2210 (cell)

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

Home Address: 

21311 Longview Drive

Frankfort, Illinois 60423

Family Members:

Susan (wife) 51

Nora (daughter) 15

Geoffrey (son) 14

Julia (daughter) 8

Education: 

University of Illinois (Urbana)

Bachelor of Science - Nuclear Engineering

May 1987

Current Occupation and Employer:

I am a Registered Professional Engineer with over 30 years of construction management and engineering experience. I am presently employed by Superior Construction Co., Inc. out of Gary, Indiana.

I am also a Short Term Lecturer at Purdue University - Calumet Campus. I have taught upper level classes including CMET 44200 Constructions Costs and Bidding.

Political Party Affiliation: Unattached

Why are you seeking office?

I hope to bring positive ideas, good business practices and strong policy making processes to the Board.

We need leadership. We need involvement from the community. We need action.

It is time to step up and be part of the solution and ignore any whining about how we have arrived at any unpleasant situations.

It is time for answers, not excuses.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Ensure the proper and most efficient use of any and all assets available to the District.

The most obvious of assets is money, but people, equipment and facilities are assets also.

We must be thoughtful in how we assign duties and responsibilities.

We need to nurture talents and encourage innovation to gain the most from our employees.

We must use our facilities and equipment wisely to ensure its fullest utilization at the lowest operating cost.

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

My experience managing small and large construction projects in both the public and private sectors affords me a perspective and set of tools that will benefit the School District.

Working experience with union labor, and the nuances of negotiated work rules and complicated compensation packages is also a plus.

Finally, having stood in front of a group of students with the sole purpose of teaching provides an insight that cannot be gained in any other way.

How will you address those challenges?

MONEY!

We cannot afford to beat around the bushes.

We are running out of money, running out of it way too fast.

The State is only paying 80 cents of each dollar they owe.

Our costs are rising.

And our tax base has been stretched to its limits.

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

We need to establish clear priorities and implement strong policies to achieve those priorities.

We need transparent methodical processes that drive our decision making.

We need unobstructed and unfettered problem identification.

We need innovative problem solving.

We also need to identify and keep all those things that are good.

Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

This is a great School District! Let's make it even better.

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

We have a mandate to “Teach the Children”

 That is the only mandate we have been charged with.

There are many ways to teach. There are many things that need to be taught.

Teaching and learning occurs in the class room and outside of the class room.

However, in the end, all of our decisions and all of our choices must be guided by that single Mandate:

“Teach the Children”