Election 2011: Richard Skoda

Campaign info

• Position sought: School Board Member, Hinsdale Township High School District #86

• Website: http://hinsdalehighschools.com

• E-mail address:  http://hinsdalehighschools.com 

• Home address: Hinsdale

• Age: 57

• Family: Janet, wife; Susan, daughter; Laura, daughter

• Education: B.S. in History and English from Illinois State University; M.S. in History from Illinois State University; Doctorate in History from Illinois State University

• Occupation: 35 year career educator on the secondary and university level, retired

• Political party affiliation: This is a nonpartisan election without party designation, but I am a registerd Republican and an active conservative.

• Previous elected offices: Three-term member of the Hinsdale Township High School District #86 Board from 1997-2009

• Related experience: Having been a previous 12-year member of the Hinsdale Township H.S. School District Board, a 35 year career educator in secondary public schools, a member of the community for more than 30 years, having two children who went through the system and being an involved taxpayer adequately qualify me for the position I am seeking.

What is the primary reason you are running for this office?

Team Davidson/Manley/Skoda was motivated to run for the District 86 Board because of the disconnect between the school board/administration and the community. The school board and administration have embarked upon irresponsible and ill thought out spending schemes during this economic downturn, all of which raise taxes. Furthermore, the board has publicly stated its unwillingness to involve the community even at the level of an advisory referendum, which I asked for at the Jan. 10 meeting.

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

Team Davidson/Manley/Skoda will bring a previously unseen openness and transparency to the running of this district. Primarily, one will see this priority in our pledge to put the district checkbook online. Our team also will not authorize any backdoor referenda that allow the board to borrow money, which raises taxes, without taxpayer approval.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Our team offers a stark contrast to the incumbent slate. Kuhn and Sharma are “rubber stamps” for the “tax and spend” philosophy of the board majority. Planson was one of two community members on the Facilities Steering Committee, which backed the $103 million facilities upgrade. Kuhn and Sharma approved going forward with the $103 million wallet-busting facilities project, which includes unnecessary projects such as a parking garage at Central and a new administrative center.

How long have you lived in District 86? 

I have lived in District 86 for 32 years.

What's your favorite thing about District 86?

My favorite aspect about District 86 is the wonderful support that the community gives to the school, the fine teachers that we have hired to instruct our children and most of all our children, who come as motivated and eager learners.

What is the biggest problem in District 86?

The biggest problem with District 86 is complacency. This complacency is seen in the sparsely attended board meetings, which have empowered the board majority to embark on unneeded and unwise actions, including “backdoor referenda” that raise taxes without the voters getting to voice their approval or disapproval. Moves such as extending a superintendent’s contract by three years, just two months before an election when he already has more than 17 months on his existing one, are irresponsible.