Shown above are the four candidates running for three seats on the Fieldcrest Board of Education. From the left is Scott Hillenburg, Debi Kitkass, Joe Kirkpatrick, Tim McNamara.
A Meet the Candidates night was held Tuesday night at the FIeldcrest High School Band room for the four candidates running for election to 3 seats on the Fieldcrest Board of Education on April 5th. The four candidates are Scott Hillenburg and Joe Kirkpatrick of Minonk, Tim McNamara of Dana, and Debi Katkiss of Toluca. Few people attended the meeting.
The four candidates were first asked to give their background.
Scott Hillenburg is running for re-election, has lived in Minonk all his life and has 4 children.
Debi Katkiss, the only non-incumbent, is from Toluca, has 3 children, is employed as a teacher at another school district, and has lived in the area for 5 years.
Joe Kirkpatrick is the current president of the Fieldcrest Board of Education, has 3 children and has lived in the Minonk area for 13 years.
Tim McNamara has been on the Board of Education for 12 years, has been a resident of rural Dana all his life and has 4 children.
Prepared Questions
The first question given to the candidates was: What budget cutting ideas do you propose?
Scott Hillenburg: The only thing left to cut is to cut personnel which is by far the major expense.
Debi Katkiss: Recommends finding sponsors and grants for extracurricular activities. We have to live with the money the state gives us.
Joe Kirkpatrick: 80% of the school's cost goes to salaries. We have to eliminate programs that include personnel.
Tim McNamara: The state has a funding problem. There is a lot of waste that needs to be cut from the state. We need to put pressure on the state to eliminate fraud and waste.
The second question was: What attributes do you bring to the school board?
Debi Katkiss: Has a positive attitude and is a doer. Is creative and motivated to get things done.
Joe Kirkpatrick: Motivation... Has the ability and willingness to ask a lot of questions and willing to spend a lot of time in working out solutions.
Tim McNamara: Still has the drive to make Fieldcrest better. Wants to help kids become the best they can be.
Scott Hillenburg: Has respect for everybody and wants to do what's best for the district, not just favoring a particular community.
The third question was: How does your personal agenda affect your decision making?
Joe Kirkpatrick: I put my personal agenda aside when having to work with others.
TIm McNamara: Always tries to look at what's best for Fieldcrest, not just for my kids. Tries not to favor any one community.
Scott Hillenburg: Tries to be fair and not let personal agenda be influential. Everyone brings their own personalities to the table and you have to be able to compromise.
Debi Kitkass: Has loyalty to Fieldcrest as a district. Everyone has unique personalities in deciding things. It is important to have different opinions when making decisions.
Questions from the public
Question 1: What are your feelings on the proposed school consolidation by the state and are you in favor of asking other school districts to consolidate with Fieldcrest?
Tim McNamara: We have talked about consolidations with other schools but we were not in a financial position to proceed. Does not like the county school concept. Consolidation would create travel problems and travel expense.
Scott Hillenburg: Doesn't like state's consolidation proposal. We have a lot more important things to do. Our school is just settling down now from the consolidation of 18 years ago.
Debi Kitkass: Financially, something we might have to consider. However, we need to be proactive if it is coming. Try to be the initiator rather than being absorbed by another district. Doesn't like it but we might have to prepare for it.
Joe Kirkpatrick: There isn't any money tp be saved in big consolidations. It is a huge emotional issue that the State is using as a scare tactic.
Question 2: What one thing would you change at Fieldcrest besides the budget?
Scott Hillenburg: We need to have more participation by the students in extra-curricular activities. We don't have enough activities for everyone to get involved.
Debi Kitkass: Would like to see more small town community spirit. Wants everyone to be proud of the small town spirit.
Joe Kirkpatrick: We need more parental involvement. Parents need to show that they value education.
Tim McNamara: Looking back we should have put everything under one building in the beginning of the consolidation. Now it is very expensive to maintain with all the buildings. We would have more solidarity in one building. Also, sports activities are well attended but little attention is given to education.
Question 3: How many times have you contacted anyone at the State office?Debi Kitkass: Has contacted the State through emails and letters 4 or 5 times and has met with State officials at school consultations.
Joe Kirkpatrick: Has called Senator Rutherford and others about lack of funding. He said people should call the State and complain about the lack of funding.
Tim McNamara: He is sending a letter to the State about the need to change state tax laws in order to keep Caterpillar from leaving the State. If we lose Caterpillar, it would devastate the school district.
Scott Hillenburg: Has contacted former Congressman Ray LaHood about school problems. He said we should contact state officials more often to get our message across. Many state officials send their children to private schools and are not in touch with the problems at public schools.