One incumbent, five challengers

ROCHELLE — Six candidates are on the ballot for the April 4 Consolidated Election running for three seats on the Rochelle Township High School District 212 Board of Education. They include incumbent Jeffery S. Tilton and challengers Crystal D. Dyer, Laurie Pillen, Jacob Waddle, Patricia Goodwin and Brent Ohlinger.

The candidates responded to a News-Leader questionnaire concerning the upcoming election.

Jeffery S. Tilton

Please tell voters a little bit about yourself

-I have had the privilege to serve on the Rochelle Township High School District 212 school board for over a decade. I have lived in Rochelle my entire life. I currently serve as a senior vice president at Holcomb Bank and have over 30 years of banking experience here in town. I am blessed to have a wonderful family with my wife, Mandy, and children Alec, Abby, Parker, Payton and Jack.

Why are you seeking the office you’re running for in the April 4 election?

-I am seeking re-election for the board to continue to contribute to the opportunities our high school presents for our students. Our administration and teachers are dedicated to shaping the future for each student and it is my honor to collaborate with the board and community to provide them the support, guidance and resources to do so.

What issue or issues relating to holding office are you most passionate about and where do you stand on them?

-I am passionate about creating an environment where high school students can thrive and be prepared for the future. Our students can participate in accelerated academics, sports, music, FFA, and be prepared for early entry into their careers through our partnership with KEC (to name just a few programs). Our kids deserve these investments, and I am committed to helping our community provide them.

Crystal D. Dyer

Please tell voters a little bit about yourself

-I have lived in Rochelle my entire life. My husband and I have two children in the Rochelle school district. I obtained my bachelors of science from NIU and have worked in human resources for the past 20+ years.

Why are you seeking the office you’re running for in the April 4 election?

- I am running for the high school board because it’s a critical time for public education and I believe by being respectful and listening to all sides and not catering to just one, we can bring our students, educators, administrators & community together to best serve our students’ needs and help eliminate the divisions that have arisen in recent years. With my background in HR, I would be an asset in this area as I will listen to all concerns/sides without judgment, gather factual information and aid in decision making based on those findings. I will be a board member with an open mind who ensures all voices are heard and solutions are reached through mutual collaboration.

What issue or issues relating to holding office are you most passionate about and where do you stand on them?

-I am passionate about seeing students succeed in high school and beyond, their educational well-being and safety in our schools. I am also passionate about supporting and respecting our educators and administrators that serve in our district so they feel supported in providing quality public education in this ever-changing environment.

Laurie Pillen

Please tell voters a little bit about yourself

-I've lived in the Rochelle area since 1985, when I was fortunate to be hired as a counselor at Rochelle Township High School. Our children (husband Bart) were born and raised in Rochelle. You might know me through my participation in VCCT or the OCCA Board, sitting next to me at music concerts, swim meets and school programs.

Why are you seeking the office you’re running for in the April 4 election?

-I want to continue to give back to my community and my school district. I am proud that RTHS offers a comprehensive education and produces well-rounded students. As a stakeholder in a different way, I am committed to maintaining these standards.

What issue or issues relating to holding office are you most passionate about and where do you stand on them?

-I believe in maintaining the fiscal conservativeness that has long been an unwritten board policy. Balancing the sensibility of expenditures against curricular and extracurricular opportunities is a challenge I am uniquely qualified to handle. Of equal importance is the safety and security of the students, staff and guests of RTHS. Only in a place where students feel safe can they learn, grow and excel, exploring their interests and actualizing their potentials. Our job as parents, educators and community members is to provide a foundation of security and stability for all students while preparing each of them for their tomorrow.

Jacob Waddle

Please tell voters a little bit about yourself

-I have 2 boys who are going through the Rochelle elementary and high school districts. My amazing wife and kids have lived in Rochelle for almost 15 years now and we are proud to call it home. I work as an administration manager for an aerospace chemical company and am passionate about education and parental rights.

Why are you seeking the office you’re running for in the April 4 election?

-I believe that the best way to succeed is though building partnerships with parents, staff, faculty and members of the community. Advocating for parental rights, striving for transparency and accountability will help to rebuild trust in our education system. I want to be an advocate for parents and teachers building a partnership where everyone can succeed.

What issue or issues relating to holding office are you most passionate about and where do you stand on them?

I think parental involvement is the key to success. We need parents and taxpayers to be informed about everything that is happening in our schools. We need transparency and accountability in everything that is done with taxpayer funds and in the education that our children are receiving. The more parents are involved, the more successful our children will be.  We need administration, faculty, staff, the teachers union, parents and students to all be on the same team striving for the same goal.  Success!

Patricia Goodwin

Please tell voters a little bit about yourself

-I’ve been a Rochelle resident for 17 years. My husband and I have been married for almost 25 years and we have three children. My husband is in law enforcement, which is a profession that lays a demand of service on the whole family and has allowed me to see our world from a different perspective.

Why are you seeking the office you’re running for in the April 4 election?

-For the last few years, I’ve been devoted to learning about the way the school board process works by attending meetings and being involved. Last year, I served on the RTHS Student Handbook committee that consists of teachers, administrators, board members, students and parents. The reality of the loss of learning in our schools the last couple of years has opened many eyes and has compelled me to run. I have solutions for this very disappointing situation. Current data from http://www.Illinoisreportcard.com shows where RTHS proficiency stands: English 19.6%, math 20.1% and science 51%.

What issue or issues relating to holding office are you most passionate about and where do you stand on them?

I’m committed to our students’ academic excellence first and foremost.

Brent Ohlinger

Please tell voters a little bit about yourself

-I was born and raised in Rochelle. Upon graduation from RTHS, I attended the University of Illinois and graduated with a bachelor of science in agriculture economics. I am currently employed as the community president of First State Bank, and have worked in the banking industry for the past 30 years. I am married to Jackee and have two daughters, Madelyn and Alison.

Why are you seeking the office you’re running for in the April 4 election?

-I feel strongly about community involvement, and I believe that my talents will be beneficial to the district by using my financial background to make sure the district is fiscally accountable to the taxpayers. 

What issue or issues relating to holding office are you most passionate about and where do you stand on them?

-I think it all comes down to our children getting the best education available. The school is there to see that our children are prepared to be successful. All programs offered should be focused on the mission of preparing them for life after high school. Additional collaboration with the local junior college and our businesses and industries will ensure the kids are exposed to all opportunities available to them.