Meet Homer District 33C Board Of Ed Candidate: Lawrence Vacala

HOMER GLEN, IL — Lawrence Vacala is one of six candidates running for four open positions on the Homer District 33C Board of Education. Vacala is a police sergeant and has a degree in criminal justice and business management.

Vacala recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be found below:

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com.

Name: Lawrence Vacala

Age (as of Election Day): 44

Town/city of residence: Homer Glen

School district: 33C

Family:

Gabrielle 44, Vincent 12, and Joseph 9

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Yes

Education:

Associate Degree in Criminal Justice, Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management

Occupation:

Police Sergeant 23 years experience

Campaign website: None.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

None.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe the overcrowding of our schools is becoming a pressing issue. Class sizes are growing and the amount of children with special needs is also growing. We need to address this with the hiring of more staff, acquiring new land and/or buildings.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

As a law enforcement professional I have a unique skill set to address school safety issues as well as the security of our buildings. I also believe that there will be some mental health issues with our children as they transition back to full time education after having a year of being isolated at home. I have vast experience of working in the schools, as community policing officer I spent a significant amount of time in the schools with presentations, lockdown drill ALICE drills etc.

As a member of a public sector union, I also have a familiarity with contract negotiations and understanding contracts. I understand how to work together with everyone and understand you need cooperation from all parties in order to accomplish goals and objectives

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

As a challenger I believe the board has done a good job in general. The last school year posed a serious challenge to everyone and although as a parent I was t happy about the situation, but understood the restraints the board was faced with. I would like to curb spending as much as can possibly [be] done to keep our taxes from rising.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

N/A

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a 23-year law enforcement professional, I understand public service and understand what it means to serve your community. I have been able to jumpstart programs in my profession including starting a Crisis Intervention Team at our police department to address mental health calls and concerns. This required me to bring together numerous community agencies and work together with these groups to successfully address the ongoing issue. I have a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and understand economics and statistics. I understand unions and union contracts which at times can be complicated to navigate.

Why should voters trust you?

I am a long-time resident of Homer Glen [for] 17 years. I have two children in 33c schools and have vested interest in the policies that affect them. I am also a 23-year law enforcement professional who currently serves a sergeant which is a supervisory position. I wanted to serve the community where I live and the school board is a position where I have a vested interest with my children still in the system.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

Lowering class sizes and making sure our schools remain safe and secure. I also believe that we need to remain competitive with teacher salaries, administrators, etc., to get and retain the best employees we possibly can. There will be several contracts that come up in the 4 years and taking care of our people should be a priority.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

The board has done a good job of being fiscally responsible. But in an age where taxes are being raised all over in this particular state the school board should do the best it can to limit increases in taxes if possible.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

N/A

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

N/A

What are your thoughts on the district’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you in favor of remote learning, in-person learning or a hybrid of the two? Do you support a mask mandate for students and school staff, or mandatory coronavirus testing for both students and staff?

I am and have always been in favor of in person learning full-time. With a vaccine available now there is no reason to not be back full-time. Unfortunately the state has dictated rules that are to be followed which exposed the lack of space in our schools. Kids should not be forced to sit and wear a mask all day especially when science has shown that kids are not spreaders of the virus or dying of the virus.

When the vaccine is available to them, do you support mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff?

No

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Always have a positive attitude and a smile on your face, it’s contagious and creates a better world for everyone