Jeff Przybyl, Will County District 92 Board Of Education Candidate

LOCKPORT, IL — Jeff Przybyl is a candidate for Will County School District 92. There are five candidates running for three open positions in this race.

The consolidated election is April 4.

Przybyl's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire can be found below:

Your name:

Jeff Przybyl

Age (as of election day):

N/A

Town/city of residence:

Homer Glen

School district:

Will County School District 92

Family:

N/A

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

yes

Education:

BBA, MBA

Occupation:

Accountant

Campaign website or Facebook:

www.wetheparentsillinois.com

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

none

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

Since 2019, the district has had a 30%+ increase in spending per pupil (higher than the other Lockport elementary school districts) while ISBE reported results have fallen. I will work with the stakeholders to address these issues.

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

I will listen to the parents and the community and not be a rubber stamp yes vote for the administration.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

Since 2019, the district has had a 30%+ increase in spending per pupil (higher than the other Lockport elementary school districts) wile ISBE reported results have fallen. Spending per pupil is more than 3 times the cost of a Lockport private school.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I will work for more transparency from the district on issues important to the parents as well as encourage more involvement in the decision-making process with the parents and community.

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

In the banking and finance industry, I've worked through multiple financial crises and downturns in the economy.

Why should voters trust you?

I am not a "Yes" man for anyone.

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

A reduction in taxes/costs for the community and improved academic results from the students.

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

Government spending is the least efficient allocation of funds in the economy due to the lack of competition and accountability. Fiscal responsibility is NOT approving an increase in spending and then claiming you have to increase taxes for what you agreed to spend.

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

Like most public schools, the district could have handled the pandemic much better. The drop in test scores is just one illustration of how the students were hurt by the district's actions.

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?

There needs to be more parent involvement, especially on issues as important as the District's Covid response. As data becomes available, the District needs to adapt and work with all parents.

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

This is an issue for the parents and I will take their opinions under advisement in formulating my decision.

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

Why anyone thinks it's a good idea to push an ideology of racism on students and staff is beyond me. Your ethnicity does not determine if you are oppressed or an oppressor.

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

Why anyone thinks it's a good idea to push an ideology of racism on students and staff is beyond me. Your ethnicity does not determine if you are oppressed or an oppressor.

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?

While the District scores may be higher than the State of IL averages, that is a low bar to hurdle and not much to brag about. For what the community spends per pupil, they should expect much better results. Improvements may involve rethinking "Common Core", curriculum and in some instances, instructors.

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:

From the movie Heartbreak Ridge, Improvise, adapt and overcome.