Oswego 308 Board of Education candidates will have an opportunity to speak at a forum in March on a variety of topics of interest to the community.
The forum is being hosted by the Oswego Education Association (OEA), Oswego Educational Support Professional Association (OESPA), Oswego Custodial and Maintenance Association (OCMA), Oswego Transportation Association (OTA), Parent and Community for Excellence (PACE) and Parent Communication Council (PCC).
The forum will take place on Thursday, March 14 at 7 to 9 p.m. at the Oswego East High School auditorium.
Each of the seven candidates will be given a question posed by a moderator and allowed to answer.
Audience members will also be able to ask questions of the candidates as time permits.
The seven candidates for the four open seats are: Danielle Paul, Eva Renee Powers, Michael McDowell, Matthew Bauman, Gregory O'Neil, Bradley Schulz and Jill Ko.
Voting will take place on April 9 and a Voter Registration Drive is scheduled for February 25, 2013 at Oswego East High School from 5:00 p.m. - 7:00pm and will be hosted by Mary Murray, IEA Retiree/Voter Registrar.
Voter registration requires two forms of identification; a current or valid photo id with your name (ie. valid driver’s license, student id (students must be 18 before 4/9/13) and proof of residency with name and address (ie. current utility bill, paycheck, bank statement, credit statement, school schedule). There is no charge to register to vote and anyone in Illinois can register at this event.
The event is open to the public and there is no charge.
David Edelman
7:52 am on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Why can't the voters ask questions directly to the people running for office?
Natalie Stevens
9:11 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
Hi David,
Audience members will be able to ask questions of the candidates, time permitting, at the forum.
Walt Hines
12:34 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Are any of the current BOE members whose term is up running again? I'd like to know if we have the money to open the additions on the H.S.'s.
Natalie Stevens
12:49 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
There are no incumbents running in the BoE election this spring, Walt. All new candidates for the four open seats.
Walt Hines
1:09 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Natalie thank you for the information!
mike ellison
5:16 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
It's basically the various unions at the school who are holding this get together. That's pretty funny. Considering that the school board members should be representing the interests of taxpayers it would be interesting to see who does, or does not attend.
Or course, very few of the board members represent taxpayers interests anyway, so I can only guess that they might as well get in bed with the union. They've been giving them raises for years irrespective of their actual lack of educational progress.
Mike McDowell
2:08 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
The reason that we may go to the forum is to share our view/ideas with the public. It is one of the few opportunities that we get to address the public. I am sure the questions asked of us are going to be slanted towards finding out if we are pro union or not. My primary goal in this race is to provide great education opportunities with financial responsibility. If anything impedes our children's opportunity to learn, I will do my best to have it removed. That is pretty broad, but I think that any person, policy, or entity that is more concerned with its own self interests and not concerned with student outcomes should be ashamed of themselves and they should be removed or their influence minimized.
ayar
1:46 pm on Wednesday, February 20, 2013
I agree with David - hey, how about we try here on the forum ? try asking Danielle Paul, Eva Renee Powers, Michael McDowell, Matthew Bauman, Gregory O'Neil, Bradley Schulz and Jill Ko questions - if any answer here, we'll know they're serious about the election ? Also, to John and Leland, have you guys ever considered running for the Library board ?
Mike McDowell
2:16 pm on Friday, February 22, 2013
What questions do you have? I will tell you what I think. Keep in mind that I will be answering your questions with only the knowledge I have of the districts public records. I am not privy to any secret information. Also, I am a candidate and my views do not represent that of the Oswego School Board or District 308 in any way. Also, keep in mind that I am a science major (nursing) and English was never my strong suit. My spelling should be fine but sentence structure may be off.
Eva Renee Powers
12:01 pm on Friday, March 22, 2013
My name is Eva Renee Powers and I am very serious about running for the BOE. I have two grandchildren that attend school in the district.
Matt Bauman
7:58 am on Saturday, February 23, 2013
David, you can ask questions. I know that myself and Danielle Paul have facebook pages set up for the election. Post one there. The teachers union just happens to be the only organized forum set up this year. If a group of parents were to organize a q&a session, I would be happy to attend. Better yet, perhaps a candiate meet and greet where we can spend some one on one time with concerned parents and residents.
Donna Lee
11:46 am on Tuesday, February 26, 2013
The forum is hosted by all the local associations as well as Oswego community parent organizations PCC & PACE, not just the teachers. Open to the public.
Lisa M.
10:25 am on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
I really wish you had filled out your questionnaire for the Patch.
Eva Renee Powers
11:02 am on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
Lisa
I did fill out the questionnaire
Mike McDowell
2:55 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
I know I filled one out also.
Lisa M.
3:14 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
I read both of yours and used them to vote, Eva and Mike. Matt did not, or at least it wasn't listed. I take the questionnaires pretty seriously. They really help inform my decisions. I look at all of the ones I can find. So, thanks to the candidates who took the time to fill them out! Good luck!
Eva Renee Powers
4:39 pm on Tuesday, April 9, 2013
You are welcome