Politics & Government

Election 2013: Ramona Stephens-Zemaitis

Ramona Stephens-Zemaitis is one of five candidates running for four open seats on the Gower District 62 School Board.

Name: Ramona Stephens-Zemaitis            

Position sought: Member of Board of Education, Gower School District 62

Home address: Burr Ridge

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Family: Husband Alexis Zemaitis; Son Aurelius Zemaitis (8 years old, 3rd grade at Gower West)

Education: Saint Xavier University, B.A., French and International Business; Certificat pratique de français commercial et économique, Paris Chamber of Commerce; Also: School of the Art Institute of Chicago, visual communications courses; National Louis University, M.A.T. course

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Occupation: Primarily, I am a full-time mother and elder caregiver, but I also work part-time as the recording secretary for the Board of Trustees of the Lemont Public Library District (2001-present).  I have ten years previous professional experience in public relations, sales, marketing and management in travel, hotel and publishing industries. 

Previous elected offices: Only non-governmental—I was elected to the Board of Directors of the Lithuanian Foundation, Inc. by its membership.

Applicable experience qualifying you for the position:

I have 18 years of relevant experience serving on the Board of the Lithuanian Foundation, Inc., an $18 million, 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization which supports educational and cultural endeavors.   Working in a complex organization which bears accountability to nearly 8,000 members worldwide as well as to state and federal authorities was challenging but rewarding.  It required reconciling the adamant views of 18 board members and learning to cooperate, despite varying perspectives, to achieve the foundation’s goals.  I first worked as Chairman of LF’s Scholarship Subcommittee, then as a member of its Grants Committee, eventually becoming its Chairman, responsible for evaluating hundreds of requests and allocating $500,000 to $1,000,000 in project grants and scholarships annually. 

My employment with the Lemont Public Library District has involved me in the often esoteric workings of local government, including its obligations to the State of Illinois, financial responsibility to district taxpayers, and the constant need to update and incorporate technological improvements and respond to the ever-changing demands of resident patrons. 

Nurturing creative, conscientious children and preparing self-assured, trustworthy future leaders has always been among my primary concerns.  I have been a Boy and Girl Scout counselor for over 20 years, most recently enrolling to continue my training in the BSA Wood Badge program.  

Over the past four years, I have become increasingly involved in District 62.  Starting as an in-class volunteer, I soon joined the Gower PTO, became its Manna fundraiser coordinator, taught the third grade Junior Achievement program, and began to attend Board meetings regularly.  I also participated in interviewing the final candidates for the District Superintendent’s position.  My being elected to the Board would be an extension of my commitment to the Gower community.

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

I am running in a slate with the three incumbent candidates (current Board President Ryan Asmus, Secretary Young Ra-Hurka and board member Joe Schulte) because I hold their accomplishments in high regard.  I hope to contribute new ideas and considerations, while finishing crucial improvements which the Board has already initiated:  i.e. updating facilities to make them even safer and better equipped to meet 21st century educational goals, and transitioning from “No Child Left Behind” to the more comprehensive “Common Core” standards. 

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

There is no simple answer to this question.  The Board’s single, all-encompassing priority is to serve the district’s children well.  The success of the district’s two schools is determined by the extent to which its students not just meet but exceed goals and expectations, develop their natural talents and abilities, and gain the skills and confidence to lead meaningful, productive adult lives.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I am a firm believer in maintaining a network of open communication.  A small school district such as ours can only benefit from strengthening already existing bonds amongst parents, students, teachers, support staff, administration and board members.  Everyone entrusted with the protection and upbringing of our community’s most valuable resource, our children, should be well-informed and their input—often sought and highly valued. 

How long have you lived in District?  I have lived in the district since 1995.

What do you believe is District 62’s biggest strength?

District 62 is no unwieldy monolith.  Comprising two schools with approximately 900 students, the district is small and attentive enough to address the educational, social and developmental needs of every child entrusted to its care. The schools are well-funded and consistently high-performing, with an experienced, compassionate teaching and support staff and considerable parental involvement.

What do you believe is District 62’s biggest weakness? 

With its impressive, nationally recognized record of academic excellence, it would be all too easy for Gower to rest on its laurels.  Fortunately, the district shows no sign of succumbing to that temptation.  The bar is continually raised, as exemplified by the recent hiring of a dynamic new administrator and the regular monitoring of parental opinion and student achievement.

In terms of a school district, how would you describe a board that is fiscally responsible? Does District 62 currently have a fiscally responsible board?

Gower School District’s reputation speaks for itself: it recently received the highest recognition given by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) on its 2011 Financial Profile of 868 districts in the state. District 62 finances have been confirmed fiscally sound by an independent source.

Trustees who are fiscally responsible treat the district’s monies as they would their own families’: they prepare a balanced budget, prioritize their goals, plan for the short term and the long haul, take no unnecessary risks with the public trust, and remain responsive to current financial capabilities as well as periodic economic fluctuations which limit spending.  


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