Jeffrey Fapp For Y115 School Board: Patch Candidate Profile

Name: Jeffrey A. Fapp

Age: 43

Position Sought: Board of Education Member, CUSD 115.

Family: Kristen (former 1st grade teacher), and our four kids.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? Not currently

Education: Bachelors of Science in Computer Science from Elmhurst College, with a minor in English (1996).

Occupation: Web Application Designer (20 years).

Why are you running?

I believe schools are the heart of our community, and I absolutely support public education. The ongoing vilification of unions, and of public education in general, is completely unacceptable to me. Unions like the YEA are the backbone of the middle class, and a quality public education is the bedrock to build a career on. Teachers deserve our respect and our trust, and they have mine.

The northern end of the district lacks board representation. When I spoke to election officials, they weren't even sure someone in my neighborhood could run, and yet my neighborhood represents the majority of the Bristol Grade School population, and a sizable percentage of Autumn Creek Elementary (grades 4-6). I believe voices from every corner of the district should be heard, and have representation. Both of the other candidates are from the south end of the district, which is already well represented on the board by Mr. Senffner.

Having kids currently in the schools is a very valuable asset, and the majority of the current board have no children in the district schools at this time. I think it's time that parents have someone to turn to who is going through what they are experiencing. I have children in three different schools right now. And in four years, my kids will be spread across four different schools, at the same time. The policies established in the next term will directly impact my children, so I have a vested interest in making sure they are right for our children.

We've made this community our home, and have entrusted our children to the care of this district. I am invested in serving this community through involvement in the schools, and would be honored to have the chance to be your voice for the next four years.

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None

Campaign Website: https://www.facebook.com/JAFap...

What do you hope to accomplish in office?

I want to help build a district where the educational experience is more equitable for all the students, and where we can set appropriate balance between technology and tradition.

Equity has many different aspects to it. It means a consistently excellent level of instruction in the classrooms across the entire district. It means equally robust sports and intramural programs in each appropriate building. It means access to after-school educational experiences—like a STEM club, a Young Rembrandts, or drama programs—would be available more broadly. It means that when a student reaches the end of their Y115 journey, they can look back and reminisce with another alumnus about how similarly positive their experiences were.

The push for equity should never limit opportunity. If one school finds success in a way of doing things, the other schools should work to bring that idea into their school as well. Our kids deserve the best. Our neighbors’ kids deserve the best. The kids on each end of town deserve the best.

In terms of technology, we have to focus on providing tools to teachers that enhance the teaching experience, without becoming a distraction. Appropriate use of technology can help students engage and interact, but we still need to focus on getting kids to communicate directly with each other, without a screen separating them. We need to do more to prepare kids to be members of a globally-connected, 24/7 media culture, and help them to differentiate between facts and fake news. Technology also comes with a set of financial risks, which we need to carefully manage.

Some of the my other priorities include:

• A move towards full-day kindergarten.
• Activity buses to help out families with working parents.
• More student practical experiences within the community.
• Greater parent involvement within the schools.
• More same-grade-level teacher collaboration between schools.
• Vastly improved communications between the district and the parents.
• Greater preparation programs for students who are not college bound.

How would you hold local government employees accountable?

As citizens of this district, it is important for all of us to be engaged in the political process, and that is even more important for elected officials. We need to have an open dialogue and mutual understanding between the board and state and local officials. When an issue comes up involving the schools, I would expect board members to be working with local government representatives to advance the agenda of the schools.

Should some issue arise that puts the board at odds with local government, I believe it is the responsibility of the board and the district to communicate directly with the citizens to explain the situation and promote the desired outcome.

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

The simple answer is that you can't spend more than you can reasonably expect to bring in. If the state and federal governments paid their bills on time, the school district's budget would be in good shape for the long term. Unfortunately, Illinois hasn't been timely in delivering over the past few years.

The board of education must be very careful with spending, and making sure the focus is on services for the students. A lot of things are going to need to be pushed to the "nice to have" list, and saved for a future time when funding is more reliable.

Should the district find itself in financial trouble due to the state and federal governments not paying their bills, we cannot go to property taxes to close the gap. We also cannot cut back on the services offered to our kids. They get one chance at an education, and we owe it to them to provide the best we can. We'll need to be creative in seeking resources from public/private partnerships, and exploring new revenue streams.

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

I served on the executive board of the Bristol Grade School PTO for several years, was a member of the Boundary Committee, and have served on numerous committees within the companies I have worked for in the past. In my professional life, I've led and contributed to team efforts, and run solo projects.

That said, its not past accomplishments that make for a successful board member. What makes a successful board member is dedication to the children of the district, the educators who teach them, and the people who pay the bills. You have to have respect for all three of those groups, a willingness to make hard decisions, and a vested interest in the success of the board. If elected, I will work with--and for--the people of the district.

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

I believe a strong board of education will represent all the people of the district, and all the areas within the district. It should encompass a variety of viewpoints, but should be firmly focused on the success of the students in the system right now. It is imperative to have parents of current students on the board, relaying what they hear from other parents, and being their voice in decision making. My children will be in the schools for another 15 years, so I can be that voice.

We moved here to be part of the Yorkville school district. We sought out this district. We made the right choice.

If you have any further questions, please reach out to me on Facebook and I'll share the answers for all to see.

Photo provided by Jeffrey Fapp