William Dussling: Candidate For Township High School District 214

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Ahead of the April 4 consolidated municipal elections, Arlington Heights Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Five candidates are vying for four seats on the Township High School District 214 Board of Education on Election Day.

• William Dussling, current president (term ends in 2023)
• Alva Kreutzer, current member (term ends in 2023)
• Elizabeth Bauer
• Misa Edwardsen
• Frank Fiarito

Dussling, Kreutzer and Fiarito are supported by the Friends of District 214 caucus.

Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

William Dussling

Age (as of election day)

80

Town/city of residence

Arlington Heights

School district

High School District 214

Family

Three children — graduates of Buffalo Grove High School - District 214

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

College Graduate

Occupation

Retired

Campaign website

Fod214.com

Previous or current elected or appointed office

School Board Member - High School District 214

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

Addressing student education and mental health issues coming out of the Pandemic. District 214 has a 3 year Renewal Plan to assist students with academic issues and metal health issues. I will closely monitor the Renewal Plan to see the results in academics and mental health and to advocate for necessary adjustments and improvements.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have been on the board for years serving as vice president and president numerous times. I know and understand district operations and how the board should operate to ensure that the curriculum and operations are at the highest level to promote student learning.

I was a manager in a large national corporation in a variety of Manufacturing, Engineering, Human Resource and Labor Relations positions. I have demonstrated consensus management principles to establish and achieve goals among diverse interest groups. This experiences prepared me to be on the board of a large diverse organization such as our large district.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Currently, we are in a search process for a new superintendent. As president of the board, I am the contact between the search firm and the board to be sure that the search process is operating smoothly and efficiently.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As I said, I have been a board member for a number of years and served as vice president and president numerous times. I have gained the trust of board members and the district administration through the manner in which I have governed and supported the district goals.

As I said in a previous answer, I was a manager in a large corporation in a variety of Manufacturing, Engineering, Human Resource and Labor Relations positions. This experience prepared me to be on the board of a large diverse organization such as our district.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I have fully demonstrated during my board service that I am totally focused on how we can support student education for all students.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

Hiring an outstanding superintendent must be accomplished. Continued positive results for students and staff through the district's Renewal Plan must be accomplished.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I believe and support the district's fiscal policies and handling of taxpayer dollars. We have have achieved a balanced budget for 25 years and we have not had a tax referendum in 50 years. Our financial organization has received a perfect financial score from the Illinois State Board of Education for 12 years in row.

What are your thoughts on how the district has handled the COVID-19 pandemic?

From the beginning of the Pandemic, the district has followed the directives of the Cook County Board of Health and the Illinois Department of Health. Since we were provided legal binding directives we complied.

When it was not possible to have in-person learning during the Pandemic, the district quickly began distance learning to engage students.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some school boards saw extremely heated disagreements during public meetings. If elected, what changes, if any, need to be made to ensure meetings are run efficiently while still allowing open discussions?

As a board member it is necessary to listen to the community and understand their concerns when presented at the board at meetings. Abusive comments and emotional outbursts must be addressed and if necessary any persons should be removed from the meeting.

How do you feel about sex education being taught in school? Should an LGBTQ component be included, and why or why not?

District 214 has had a long standing Health Education Program in our curriculum. We believe that our Health Education Program has served students very well and have not instituted the state's comprehensive curriculum. We believe that local control of the Health Curriculum is best.

District 214 has developed in collaboration with the board an Anti-Racist, Diversity, Equity and Inclusionary Practices Action Plan in 2020. The plan is designed to be sure that all students are treated in a manner that will cause them to feel safe in our schools. The board also passed a resolution in support for Anti-Racist, Diversity, Equity and Inclusionary Practices and Initiatives.

What are your views on critical race theory and whether it should be taught in the district?

Critical Race Theory is not taught in our schools.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

Please see my previous answer regarding board support for the district's Anti-Racist, Diversity, Equity and Inclusionary Practices Policy and Action Plan.

When it comes to student achievement, what are schools within this district doing well and what needs to be improved? How can those improvements be made?

As stated in a previous answer, the district enacted with Board approval a three Renewal Plan that addresses the negative effects of COVID on academic performance and mental health needs.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was ____________

Always remember where you came from and who helped you.