David Faber
March 29, 2011 1:02PM
David Faber, candidate Summit Hill SD 161. | Supplied photo
Office sought: Summit Hill SD 161 School Board
Name: David Faber
Address: 7730 North Ave., Frankfort, Ill.
David.Faber@att.net
Education: MBA, Roosevelt University; bachelor’s, business and technology, Governors State University; Associate’s, photography, Prairie State College; studying for a Masters of Science in accounting — expected graduation in 2014
Certifications: C.I.A. — Certified Internal Auditor — Institute of Internal Auditors
Occupation, employer: Internal Control Consultant, Health Care Service Corporation
Please list all sources of income: Salary from Health Care Service Corporation
Spouse, spouse’s employer: Karen, Stay-at-home mom
Children, age of children, children’s employer (if applicable): Alyssa, 9, Allyson, 8, Bree, 5, Delaney, 4
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?
None
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?
Not Applicable
Political (elected or significant appointment) experience:
None
In your view, what are the two most important issues facing your constituents? How would you address those issues?
Obviously, the overriding issue facing residents of the district is the economy. District residents are tapped out and cannot be expected to contribute more of their income to their children’s public education. Therefore, I believe the school board has a responsibility to conservatively manage the district’s finances while still offering the same quality of education and programs to the students attending its schools.
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.
If elected, I would like to return an atmosphere of compromise and respect to the proceedings of the board. Currently, there appears to be issues of trust, cooperation and civility amongst board members. Differences of opinion are healthy amongst a group of decision makers, however, the current level of animosity that is visible at board meetings is not appropriate. Summit Hill School District residents deserve a board that works for them and doesn’t waste time fighting amongst itself.
Please explain how you believe the office you’re seeking can help in creating local jobs.
It is difficult for a school district to create jobs as it level of staffing is dependent on its funding and number of students. An argument could be made about lowering the current tax rate to attract business and thus create jobs, but with a state government unable to pay its commitments, this is not a practical solution; however, sound fiscal management of the district’s finances can help to ensure that teachers, teacher aides and other support staff positions are retained and that Summit Hill students continue to receive the same or better quality of education as they have received in prior years.
Do you believe the current way Illinois pays for education is working? If so, why? If not, why not? What would you change?
The way Illinois pays for education does not work as it is inequitable and puts too much of a burden to local residents through property and sales taxes. If I could change anything, I would increase state funding for schools while decreasing property and sales taxes proportionately.
Would you make any changes to the budget of the governing unit to which you are seeking elected office? If so, what?
I would re-evaluate the amounts of bonuses and annual increases given to district staff to ensure they are reasonable considering the current economic situation. Additionally, I would actively look for correctable inefficiencies in the district’s operations and review relationships between the district and its vendors when possible.
Are there any other issues you want to bring to the public’s attention? If so, what?
I have lived in the district for over 35 years, graduated from Summit Hill Jr. High and have four children attending district schools. I believe that an individuals with children attending district schools are more likely to ensure their actions and decisions benefit the children of the district instead of serving their own purposes. As a father of four Summit Hill students, I have a vested interest in ensuring the district maintains or improves the quality of education its students receive. I received an excellent education in Summit Hill District schools, and it would not be right if I did not try to ensure the same for current and future Summit Hill Students.
