David J. Macek
March 29, 2011 1:02PM
David Macek, candidate Summit Hill SD 161. | Supplied photo
Office sought: Member of the Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education
Name: David J. Macek
Address: 20235 S. Mary Therese Lane, Frankfort, IL 60423
Date of Birth: January 31, 1960
Contact Information:
Email: dave@threefor161.com
Web site: http://www.threefor161.com
Telephone numbers:
Home: 815-469-0485
Education: B.S. Marketing – Southern Illinois University
Occupation: Commercial insurance professional
Please list all sources of income: Commercial insurance profession
Spouse, spouse’s employer: Kristi Macek
Children, age of children, children’s employer (if applicable): Chris, 22, Teage, 20, Trevor, 17, Paige, 15
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?
None
What other elected offices have you sought? What year?
Summit Hill School District 161 School Board — 2007
Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners — 2003 not elected, 2005 elected, 2009 re-elected
Have you ever been arrested or charged with a crime? If so, for what? What was the disposition?
No
Do you have any criminal convictions on your record? If so, for what? What was your sentence?
No
Political (elected or significant appointment) experience:
Summit Hill School District 161 Board of Education since 2007
Frankfort Square Park District Board of Commissioners since 2005
In your view, what are the two most important issues facing your constituents? How would you address those issues?
1. Maintaining and improving upon our district’s academic, extracurricular and financial success.
2. The State of Illinois
In regard to the first issue, as a board member, it is critical to understand your role and to provide the guidance and oversight to the educational expertise that operate the district. As I have always stated, let the teachers teach, the principals run their buildings and the administration operate the district. Then as a board member provide the support to make this happen.
As for the State of Illinois, I do not believe anyone has an answer to that issue. I believe the state will get worse before it gets better and how it will affect schools is anyone’s guess. As a board member, I would like to see the board spend less time on operational issues and spend some time looking into the bigger picture of schools inclusive but not limited to funding, mandates etc.
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.
My priority is to continue to make District 161 the district of choice for teachers, administrators, and our current and next generation of residents. This can be accomplished by retaining the excellent teachers, administrators and staff that has been assembled by the superintendent with board support.
Please explain how you believe the office you’re seeking can help in creating local jobs.
Not applicable
Do you believe the current way Illinois pays for education is working? If so, why?
If not, why not? What would you change?
This deserves the classic business question answer, it depends. When your district is growing and new EAV (equalized assessed value of properties) is available, challenges of school funding is less burdensome.
Once the district matures and the double tax cap kicks in, the challenges escalate and the dependence on the existing property taxes becomes a burden.There has to be a better way and with more board time on board issues we can explore solutions, bring them to our constituents and then challenge our elected officials.
Would you make any changes to the budget of the governing unit to which you are seeking elected office? If so, what?
Under the current system, I believe the district has done an excellent job of managing our finances. Our cost per student is one of the lowest in the state; our number of students per administrator is one of the highest in the area, along with many other effective and efficient budgetary results. These financial successes can be reviewed in depth at www.threefor161.com.
Are there any other issues you want to bring to the public’s attention? If so, what?
At this time in our district’s history, the burden of the current economy and the state of affairs at the State of Illinois, experience leadership is crucial. A clear understanding of the role of a board member, a comprehension of financial matters and the ability to make difficult, non-emotional decisions for the success of our students are critical characteristics for a successful board member. I possess these characteristics and ask for and appreciate your vote.
