Jammie Esker Schaer, District 205 Board Candidate

ELMHURST, IL — Jammie Esker Schaer is one of nine candidates for four seats on the Elmhurst School District 205 board. Here are her responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Jammie Esker Schaer

Age:

49

Campaign contact email:

ElectJammie@gmail.com

Campaign website:

Jammie4D205.com

Family:

Husband – Brian, Boys – Nolan(21), Caden(19), Gavin(17), Warren(14) and Colin (9)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Accounting

Occupation:

Wife, Mother and Senior Accountant

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

None

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is the continuing low scores of the children. According to Illinois Report Card in 2019 only 6% of Conrad Fisher students could do math at grade level. In 2022, 20% are at grade level. 80% cannot do math at grade level. While this is an improvement, Conrad Fisher continues to have a large gap between low income and non-low income students that remains an unaddressed root issue.

At Sandburg, 60% of 8th graders were at grade level in 2019 and by 2022 it had dropped to 42%. Our scholastic issues pre-date Covid.

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

1. I have an accounting degree from Illinois State University.
2. In my current employed position as a senior accountant at a multi-location medical practice, I manage a multi-million dollar cash flow and accounts payable. I have learned to recognize financial redundancies and the cost savings with better use of current assets.

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

1. I am raising 5 sons. The wide range of their ages has developed my ability to communicate and lead in ever-changing and frequently challenging environments.
2. National Safe Routes to School – I was part of the founding group here in Elmhurst. Our group instituted bike to school programs at the elementary schools. We also applied for and received funding for more bike paths throughout Elmhurst. This program was an addition to the walk to school program through the PTA; of which I was in charge of at Lincoln for 7 years.
3. I initiated a lawsuit to have face masks removed at school. Our school didn’t exercise its local control when deciding on masks. Who you vote for is given that local control.

What can you do to counteract dropping standardized test scores?

We can bring back final exams and raise our standards. Our school can bring in reading and math intervention for students, evaluate the Lexile level of books read in the classroom, align the curriculum between all grades and greatly increase summer programs using the budget excess immediately.

Do you generally support the work of the school district’s administration? Why or why not?

Our school district’s administration uses the right words and they sound great, but when only half of our 8th grade students are meeting or exceeding state standards, it is hard to support them. According to the Illinois Report Card, York High School is rated Commendable, with 50% of this rating based on the graduation rate. Only 7.5 % is based on math proficiency. This rating is nothing to brag about.

Do you support the district’s recent decision to raise the property tax levy by 5 percent, the maximum allowed under state law?

No, I do not support the recent decision to raise taxes by 5%. Our school board has been saving money for a decade to use in times like today and they still voted to raise our taxes by 5%. This equates to roughly $8 million. The levy estimate for transportation is $3,926,032. If transportation costs go up 13% and insurance premiums increase 6.5%, total new expenditures are $1,548,384. $1.5 million can be taken from the surplus. The new school board needs to focus on NOT raising taxes.

What is your view of critical race theory? Is it being taught in the local schools? If so, what evidence do you have of that?

Critical race theory is a lens through which Americans view their life. It claims that America is systemically racist because it was founded on a system of capitalism, which is racist and therefore must be dismantled. It separates individuals into categories like oppressor or oppressed.

One idea from critical race theory is that of intersectionality. A December 9th 2021 Elmhurst Patch article contains a photo of a wall mural in a York High School English classroom titled Intersectionality Identity. Students are instructed to find their place on the mural and view their learning through this lens.

What is your view of sex education in local schools? Should an LGBT component be included? Why or why not?

Sex education is an important part of a student’s education. Comprehensive sexuality education should be medically accurate, evidence-based, age-appropriate and be deployed openly and transparently. Parents also should be able to opt-out their child.

Will you take questions from the media if you are elected?

Absolutely. The school board needs to be available to the community that elected it.

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:

You are not the first person to make a mistake and you won’t be the last, just learn from it. Be open and transparent about the mistake and move on.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

My husband and I have been Visitation parishioners for 23 years. Our 2 oldest boys have graduated D205 schools and are in college. One boy is a junior at York. Another boy is an 8th grader at Bryan Middle School. Our youngest is in 3rd grade at Visitation Catholic School. I will not vote for a 5% tax increase. Jammie is Last on the Ballot, but First for the Kids!