District 113 School Board Candidate Q&A: Matilda Manfredini

Background: Matilda Manfredini is a lifelong resident of Highwood and Highland Park. She has 35 years of experience as an educator.

Highland Park Patch: Why run for the school board?

Matilda Manfredini: I am running to bring an educator's perspective -- 35 years of teaching experience and an additional 5 years, upon the request of my district, to facilitate students growth as learners in preparation for the future; to combine my passion for education with a common sense approach; to work in the best interest of students, staff and the citizens of District 113; to infuse a new skill set to the board, quality education first, fiscal responsibility without sacrificing educational needs and placing additional tax burden onto the taxpayers.

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

Manfredini: Collaboration with Districts 112, 109 and 106. Education is bottom up, not top down. If we work in a reverse fashion we stand to widen the achievement gap. I would like to work in conjunction with other taxing bodies to contain costs and to mesh overlapping programs that could be combined and supported through cost sharing. I'd also like to reform the budgetary spending based upon immediate needs and focus attention on the revenue and expense equation with analysis and prioritization of expense reductions. 

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?

Manfredini: There must be fiscal responsibility coupled with foresight and planning to ensure the highest quality of education continues and each student receives what he/she needs to attain proficiency. We can't compromise the education of our students at the expense of unnecessary spending that may not enhance learning outcomes and close the achievement gap. The district has a significant budget for operation and maintenance. There will need to be a reconfiguration of this spending using the taxpayer money wisely. Regarding the distribution in coming years, I will need to examine the funding distributions at that time with the educational value as my top priority.

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?

Manfredini: I have publicly stated my opposition to this referendum in its present state. When I see that only $6 million is being allocated to technology, which is our children's future, and the bulk of the money allocated to infrastructure, much of what is not needed due to decreasing enrollment, I question the educational value of this spending. There are issues that need to be addressed to ensure safety and healthy learning environments for students and staff and outside visitors. We definitely must maintain our buildings, and this must be done in a timely manner to minimize the potential for problems spiraling thus costing considerably more to repair. With declining enrollment, drop in property values, added state income tax, number of homes for sale or in foreclosure and the state not paying its bills, this is not the economic climate to further the tax burden on taxpaying citizens. Adding more square footage when we presently have more that enough based on the present population and the projected declining population will only add to the burden. My communication with the residents opposed to this referendum will state my due diligence, as a steward of their money, to scrutinize each line-item spending, to question, seek answers, and monitor closely how the money is being allocated and spent.

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

Manfredini: It is the school board's responsibility to have a vision for the community's school, whereby the superintendent and administrators manage the school, teachers teach and students learn. The board needs to refer this back to the administrators and teachers who are charged with the education of all students. The board needs to rely on these experts, ensuring that programs in place are addressing the issue and, if not, what is needed and how can the board aid in that process? There needs to be insight into what has been implemented at the elementary and junior high schools in regards to these students who have been underachieving before entering the high school. Another possibility would be for the school board to look into extending the school year for these students, (ESL)/low income, making it a requirement, whereby emphasis would be placed upon English and academic proficiency, thus beginning to close the achievement gap.

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?

Manfredini: Since this is off campus, the board can do what other governmental entities have done, namely, The City of Highland Park with, "Late Night HP" and advertise this facility on its web-site or its marquee. Ultimately, the onus is on the parent to ensure the safety and well-being of their child/children outside of school. 

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?

Manfredini: There needs to be an assessment of what has been done thus far, tried, succeeded or failed. This is where collaboration with other government entities will play a role. Moraine Township has strengthened its ties to the Nuestro Center, and created the Latino Advisory Committee. Highland Park High School has the Estudiante to Student program. With these programs in place the board needs to work to strengthen and enhance these partnerships.

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

Manfredini: Education of our children is, and always must be, a three-way partnership.If this has not been the effort and the direction set in the past, I ask, "Why not?" Going forward, we must be a community working together to achieve the end goal: responsible, well-educated, valuable members of society. "It takes a village to raise a child."