District 113 School Board Candidate Q&A: David Greenberg

Background: David S. Greenberg has lived in Highland Park for 34 years. the The owner of business and technology consultancy, he's one of three school board candidates opposed to the .

Highland Park Patch: Why run for the school board?

David Greenberg: In recent years, District 113 has continued to increase non-essential spending for things such as artificial turf, concession stands and athletics. Despite the fact that the district received a petition demanding property tax relief signed by approximately 2,700 residents of Highland Park, the district proposed spending first $80 milllion, then $168.8 million and now most recently $133 million, mostly on a wish list of nice-to-have items.  I believe that there is a need for board members, such as myself, who will redirect the priorities back to producing a quality education without overburdening the taxpayers.

HP Patch: What are some of the things you would like to see change if elected?

Greenberg: Realignment of spending priorities. I want to focus on academics rather than athletics. Reevaluation of administrator and teacher salaries to be more consistent with our peers. Currently we are approximately 17 percent higher. Better cooperation between District 113 and other taxing bodies so we can achieve economies of scale and lower our costs of operation. 

HP Patch: Given the state of the economy, some residents feel that the school districts are wasting too much money on programs, pensions and the cost of each student to the district is too high. How do you feel about the current state of the district’s financials? How do you plan to vote regarding funding distribution in the coming years?

Greenberg: I believe that the district is spending too much money on salaries, and benefit plans.  We need to re-evaluate the salary levels, and bring the benefits packages more into line with what one would expect in a private position. I plan to vote to rein in such salaries and benefits while still retaining a high-quality education. Bear in mind that the administrators and teachers are some of the highest paid in the state, and even substantial cuts to their salaries will leave District 113 as a highly desirable place to work.

HP Patch: Talk about the future of the high schools — should District 113’s referendum for funding to improve the high schools pass, do you feel the tax payer’s money will be well spent? How will you communicate with residents that are opposed?

Greenberg: Repairs and maintenance are on-going issues, and improvements are needed eventually.  However, I do not believe the current plan proposed by the district is money well-spent because it's too expensive and not well-thought out.  I will communicate by ensuring that the facts regarding the project are available to all who desire them.

HP Patch: District 113 has Academic Watch Status by the standards of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). What are some things the school board can do to help the schools meet these standards?

Greenberg: The school board hires and oversees a superintendent who's job is to manage the day-to-day operations of the district, and ensure that the administrators and staff under him achieve the targets they are required to.  If the school fails to meet the standards of NCLB, it is incumbent upon the superintendent to prepare and present a plan for action to the school board, and it is incumbent upon the school board to review the plan and accept or refuse it.  If the plan is refused, it is incumbent upon the School Board to provide appropriate direction to the Superintendent with regard to a modified plan.

HP Patch: Highland Park High School students have begun the planning process for a teen center. While this planning process is completely independent of the schools, what are some things the school board can do to provide and endorse safe places for students and teens to go after school?

Greenberg: Extracurrricular activities are an important part of student development.  On-campus and District-sponsored events would fall under the perview of the Board, while off-campus, independently-sponsored centers generally would not.  I would need to know more about the teen center in order to provide a better answer.

HP Patch: District 113 has students that come from low income and non-native English speaking families. How will the school board reach out to these families to involve them in their neighborhood schools and children’s education?

Greenberg: I would need to know how the Board is failing in this area before I am able to provide an effective answer.

HP Patch: How will the school board promote partnerships between all parents, teachers and the board?

Greenberg: It's just like any business, you have competing interests and you need to sit and listen to them and come to an agreement that everyone can live with. Parents will always want greatest education, no matter what the cost, for their kids, but that's just 20 percent of people in Highland Park and the other 80 percent are still paying taxes, and they don't want to be taxed out of their homes. Teachers want to be payed at fair salaries so I think you need to listen to everyone's concerns.