Tina Zekich
March 29, 2011 12:34PM
Tina M. Zekich, candidate SD 135. | Supplied photo
Office Sought: Orland District 135 school board
Name: Tina M. Zekich
Address: 14347 Greenland Ave., Orland Park, IL 60462
Date of Birth: 2/11/1966
Contact information:
E-mail: tinatorney@comcast.net
Telephone Numbers:
Home: (708) 349-4577
Cell: (708) 269-9375
Work: (708) 349-4577
Education: B.S., Loyola University; J.D., John Marshall Law School
Occupation: Attorney at law
Please list all sources of income: Law practice
Spouse, Spouse’s employer: Single
Children, age of children, children’s employer:
Anthony Gaik: age 6
Colton Gaik: age 3
Political experience: None
Please list any relatives, including in-laws, who are employed by a government agency at the federal, state, or local levels. What are their job titles and with what agency are they employed?
Sister Lisa Stefans is playground supervisor for New Lenox School District 122
What other elected office have you sought?
None
Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime?
No
Do you have any criminal convictions on your record?
No
In your view, what are the two most important issues facing your constituents?
First: District 135 needs to continue to be fiscally responsible. All school districts in Illinois are operating under financial constraints due to our state’s budget crisis. It is imperative that the school district operate within its budgeted means.
Second: Keep class size low by managing our budget. The board, administration and staff need to work together to keep class size low and maintain morale during this economic crisis.
Please explain something significant you would like to accomplish within the next two years if you are elected to the office to which you aspire:
Negotiating a solid contract for the district by bringing my skills to the table. A large portion of the budget is employee costs, and it may be necessary to be more creative in contract negotiations to get the most out of the revenue while minimizing any negative effects on our students and our programming.
Please explain how you believe the office you’re seeking can help in creating local jobs.
Due to the current economic conditions a creation of jobs would be difficult. It is important to maintain our current level of employment within the district.
Do you believe the current way Illinois pays for education is working?
It is not necessarily the way Illinois pays for education, it is in the way the individual school district is managed.
Would you make any changes to the budget of the government unit to which you are seeking elected office?
District 135 has received awards for its financial excellence. However, there is always a need to look creatively at the budget and find ways where it can be condensed.
Are there any other issues you want to bring to the public’s attention?
There will always be issues, but it is the creative minds that you elect that will produce successful solutions consistently. District 135 has been successful, and I want to continue on that path for our families and community.
