Six candidates running for four open seats on the Glenbard District 87 Board of Education Tuesday attended the League of Women Voters candidate forum at the Glen Ellyn Civic Center to answer voters' questions about issues facing the district. 

Patch will recap parts of the forum, but to get a feel for the candidates, you can listen to them answer questions using the SoundCloud tool above. 

Here's a timeline of the questions, in case you want to skip to a specific issue:

• "What three issues do you feel are the most pressing for the district?" Skip to 15:48 (or read what they said below)
• "What specific contributions do you bring to the board?" Skip to 22:22
• "Not all students will go to college, with is your input of more vocational training?" Skip to 27:38
• "Do you support the current PE waiver policy for District 87 for seniors? If yes, why? If no, what would you change?" Skip to 33:30
• "What are your thoughts on pension reform?" Skip to 38:40 
• "How many district 87 board meetings have you attended?—And, if you're a board member, how many meetings have you missed?" Skip to 43:43
• "As a board member, how will you familiarize yourself with the programs, initiatives and personnel in the schools?" Skip to 46:26
• "I believe in 1985 there were twice as many merit finalists than in 2013. Can you please comment?" Skip to 51:59

"What three issues do you feel are the most pressing for the district?" (15:48)

Anthony Schullo: Communication between board members and those they serve and common core standards

“They (people in community) would like to see board members visible… If I’m working to better a school district, it’s my job to be talking to teachers (and students).”

"There's a big transition here in the education world... It's time to... work with our teachers and work with our students to have them meet the common core standards most effectively." 

Bob Friend: New superintendent, restructuring the school days—to lengthen the lunch hour and allow students to get caught up, and finances

“We have a new superintendent—that’s one of our big highlights... He (has) re-energized the community,” Friend said.

“(Financially) we’re in great shape, but the pension issue is still staring us in the face and it’s going to be one of those things that could bite us.” 

Judith Weinstock: Use of time during the school day, fiscal responsibility and making District 87 a “destination district,” rather than a “stepping stone” for administrators

"I'd like us to reconfigure the school day in a manner that would allow students to have more times for various electives," she said.

It's important to keep a balanced budget, but I would like us to fund a comprehensive program for our high school (at the same time)."

Jennifer Jendras: Flexibility for students to choose courses, technology

“Technology is going to become a big component of education… I want to make sure technology is used wisely,” as some kids use school technology inappropriately, she said. 

F. Thomas Voltaggio: Continued progress of all students in “elevating their game,” implementation of the instructional technology program and finances

“We’re in good shape financially… but challenges are ahead based on what is—(or isn’t) going on in Springfield.” 

Richard Heim: Teacher creativity to “up the game” for students, financial responsibility and community engagement—making sure the community knows what the district provides

“We need to continue to push them to higher levels as it relates to core curriculum,” he said. "...Especially focused on those students in our district who are failing and provide them some additional time and effort in order to help them be successful."

Let Patch save you time. Get stories delivered to your inbox—sign up for our email newsletter. Fast signup here. You can also like us on Facebook.

Read more about the District 87 race: 

Election 2013: District 87 Board of Education Race