A candidate forum sponsored by the Lake Zurich Community Unit School District 95 PTO groups addressed reports made in the media that all four candidates running for the School Board believed creationism should be taught in science classrooms.
The candidates were quick to dispel the reports at the March 3 forum stating they misunderstood the question asked during candidate interviews and responses were taken out of context. Political newcomer Chris Wallace, while not backing down from his opinion, went so far as to say he felt the candidates were being used as pawns by the news outlet which first ran the story.
"What is perceived to be a hornet's nest of an issue detracts from our addressing the real issues faced by the students, parents, faculty and the school board," Wallace read from a statement. The statement is also posted on a Boycott District 95 Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NoCreationismAtD95 .
"It is unfortunate that the question that should have been asked was not -- does this candidate support the teaching of a unilateral curriculum of creationism versus the current theory of evolution in a science class? The answer to that question is most assuredly no. Regardless of the current Supreme Court ruling that prohibits this type of curriculum in Illinois, personally, I believe that it is not only profitable, but it is critical for our students to look at scientific evidence in the classroom setting and let their thought process take them where the evidence leads them, and that the thought process should be recognized for what it is," the statement continued in part.
In addition to Wallace, incumbents Jim Burke, Tony Pietro and Douglas Goldberg are each seeking one of the three available seats on the school board. All four candidates stated that the teaching of creationism has no place in a science classroom.
After addressing what has become a much discussed issue in the community, the candidates got on to other issues within the school district, including addressing the district's facilities issues and technology needs.
"I run for re-election on the board because I feel we've made great progress in the last four years... but there's still more to be done," Pietro said.
Pietro would like to continue working towards a budget surplus and improve the maintenance of district facilities.
Burke said that while the district's finances are good, more work needs to be done.
"I feel a sense of unfinished business," he said.
"We need to start investing (our surplus) into facilities... and technology," he said.
Goldberg would also like to place an emphasis on facilities and technology. He'd like to see the district's student-to-computer ratio improved as well as more frequent curriculum reviews. Currently curriculum review takes place on a seven-year cycle. He added the district also needs to continue focusing on managing its finances.
"We cannot predict the future right now," he said.
While Wallace also supports facilities and fiscal responsibility, he would like to see the district place more emphasis on green initiatives to save money as well as focus on more transparency of the school board. He'd like to see an e-mail blast service residents could sign up for that would deliver agendas, minutes, etc.
The candidates were also asked about teacher contract negotiations. All candidates support teachers' rights to collective bargaining. When it comes time to renegotiate the contract, the candidates said they wanted to remain competitive with neighboring school districts.
"We absolutely want to make sure we can hire and maintain key staff to continue what we have going on here," Goldberg said, adding his thought that raises should be tied to CPI.
Wallace, who has a background in health care, would like to examine health care costs and look for ways the district can work within its means when it comes to providing health care coverage.
Pietro said he would support looking to neighboring districts while keeping the marketplace in mind when it comes to negotiating the contract.
"District 95 should be a destination, not a revolving door for our teachers and administrators," Pietro said.
Asked about teaching to the ACT college entrance exam, none of the candidates supported teaching to the exam, but rather offering a rigorous curriculum with plenty of choices for students. Pietro and Wallace support AP offerings and encouraging students to try an AP class. Burke wants to see the district work on standardizing its curriculum across all elementary and middle schools.
Goldberg does not believe a focus should be put on raising the district's ACT scores. He would rather see the district offer a variety of classes and extracurriculars to support students as a whole.
"I really do not believe we should focus on raising the ACT scores," Goldberg said.
The District 95 PTO groups will sponsor a second candidate forum at 7 p.m. March 22 at Middle School South, 435 W. Cuba Road.
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