Toni Morgan for SD308 School Board: Patch Candidate Profile

Name: Toni Morgan

Age: 50

Position Sought: SD308 School Board

Family: My husband, Allan, is and electrical engineering business analyst. I have a junior and senior at Oswego high school.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No family in politics or government.

Education: I have my bachelor's degree from Illinois State University and my masters in educational administration from California State Dominguez Hills.

Occupation: I am currently a third grade teacher for Yorkville 115.

What do you hope to accomplish in office?

Three urgent issues that need fixing are as follows:

Downsizing the central district office organization by consolidating roles.

Offering all that we can for free which would make the district more effective and attractive like better communication at all levels, decreased bureaucracy, genuine inclusion of the input of all stakeholders.

Transparency of student data and district spending which we could do by using technology and the district website as a much better resource for the community.

Other issues will need consideration and good guidance as well.

How would you hold local government employees accountable?

The board is supposed to clarify the purpose of the district, connect with the community, employ a superintendent and hold them accountable with written board policy, delegate authority, monitor performance by using trustworthy and transparent data, and should take responsibility for itself.

I would hold our local government employees accountable by keeping track of how the superintendent ensures the efficient and high quality performances that will keep our district competitive. If the job is lacking, we need to consider remediation , a non-renewal of contracts and dismissal, if necessary.

I think that much accountability comes as well from the conversations stakeholder groups have with each other as issues are discussed. Standards for accountability need to be clear and agreed upon by all groups involved.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?

The board needs to verify and question information given by district officials as well as how financial projections are calculated. Contracts need to be read and discussedcarefully. Expenses that are questionable need to be challenged. Our job as board members is to inspire confidence in the community by making sound financial decisions that are based on realistic possibilities. The money entrusted by the community has to be put to use in a very responsible way.

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

Being a teacher for 28 years in five different districts has given me a great deal of perspective on educational institutions and how they operate. I am a good listener, so I hear from many perspectives and I take them all seriously. I am not impressed or intimidated by power so much as I am by insight and practicality. I love competence in my dealings and try to deliver the same for those who are counting on me. I am also a parent of two children in the Oswego school district and a home owner, so I am sympathetic to the needs of families, taxpayers, and the educational system.

In my past, I have served as a volunteer for the finance committee for seven years. I have been on many school comittees, helped with events and worked for fundraisers. For five years I have been a volunteer for PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) for Kendall and DuPage County.

What else would you like voters to know about you and your positions?

I would like people to know that I am devoted to giving students the best education and learning environment possible. Students need to be safe and motivated to learn well and reach their highest potential. We have great staff and students in Oswego who deserve our best leadership and cooperation.

If voters want more learning and less spending, I am the candidate that will use those values along with good, common sense to guide my decisions.

Photo provided by Toni Morgan