Courtney Long
President
First Elected/Term: 2013

Personal Statement:

I want to work with parents, teachers and students to educate the “whole child” in order to achieve personal excellence. The more we work effectively and efficiently together, the greater chance we have at long term success for our children. I want to represent the current Lombard school community. You have my guarantee that I will be present at any and all important community events. I’m a great listener, a reputable voice in the community and open to all educational opportunities for students. I’m fully prepared to have great discussions on a variety of topics and I want to see our district continue to run with the highest quality professionals.

Basic Beliefs Aligned with the D44 Mission Statement:

I believe the strengths of the district include a set of short term goals that are measurable and attainable. It is important to improve upon the percentage of students in each school meeting or exceeding expectations in the areas of reading and math. I also support the social emotional component of our children’s education being assessed, with the hope that all children will perform in the strength or typical range. I view the needs of our district as remaining current with changes to curriculum, standardized testing, response to intervention, competitive wages, and general educational enhancements. It is these factors that bring essential learning to our children. By participating in advocacy groups at the state level, we will be sure to have the most up to date facts, therefore bringing reputable information back to the board table for discussion. We must also continue working with law enforcement officials to ensure the safety of our school climate on a daily basis.

Education/Occupation/Family:

I received my bachelor’s degree in business management from National Louis University.

I am the Executive Director of Senior Home Sharing, an organization serving low income seniors in DuPage County.

I have lived in downtown Lombard for 12 years.  I have one son Collin who currently attends Glenbard East High School.

General Comment:

I’m excited to work alongside a group of staff, administrators and board members who are able to effectively collaborate in efforts for the overall benefit of our children. This is a team effort.  I bring no personal agenda or mission to the table, but instead hope to enhance and support our school district with my background and knowledge.

Contact Information:  Please feel free to e-mail me your ideas, questions, concerns or other input at clong@sd44.org.

Kristina Lynch
Vice President
First Elected/Term: 2009

Personal Statement:

I would like District 44 to provide every child with the best possible opportunities for learning through the elementary years to enable all students to enter high school with a firm foundation and a love of learning.  I believe that every child can learn, and it is our responsibility as a community to provide a safe environment in which the building blocks of life-long learning can be established.

Basic Beliefs Aligned with the D44 Mission Statement:

A school board member must be invested in the ongoing success of all children in the district.  Therefore, we must establish and maintain policies that support learning, stay informed about educational issues, and help our schools serve the children entrusted to us.  I believe one of the most important tasks of a school board member is to continue to learn as much as possible about the needs of our schools.

Education/Occupation/Family:  

I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky and my Master of Science in Education degree from the University of Kentucky. I have been a School Psychologist at Leyden Area Special Education Cooperative since 1994.  I currently work at West Leyden High School.  I have a daughter and son who both attend Glenbard East High School.

General Comment:

I feel very strongly that the success of all children in Lombard positively impacts the entire community.  I want to be an advocate for all District 44 students and teachers by helping to guide and enact policies so that teachers can teach and students can learn.  I recognize that students have different needs, and our schools need the support of the community at large to create opportunities for each child to move as far along the learning continuum as possible.

Contact Information: Please feel free to e-mail to me your questions, concerns or other input at: kristinalynch@sd44.org.

Tony del Alcazar
Member
First Elected/Term: 2015

Personal Statement:  

I love living in Lombard and look forward to the opportunity and experience of serving students and families of District 44.

Basic Beliefs Aligned with the D44 Mission Statement:  

I truly believe the District's philosophy of educating the "whole child".  Children grow fast and are different academically, physically, and emotionally.  It makes me happy to know that I will be working with others that believe and support this mantra.  

Education/Occupation/Family:  

M.S, Ed. Curriculum & Instruction; B.S. Biology

1994-currently - Reavis High School science teacher (Biology/chemistry)

I have been married to my wife Heather for 16 years, and we have 3 sons;  in 8th grade and 6th grade at Glenn Westlake Middle School and a freshman at Glenbard South High School.

Contact Information:  Please feel free to e-mail me your ideas, questions, concerns or other input at: tdelalcazar@sd44.org.

Stephen Flint
Member
First Elected /Term: 2011

Personal Statement:  

As I said in my campaign, I promise to….

• Continue to look at the School District’s budget and look for ways to maximize the available funding.
• Continue to look at the School District’s facilities and make sure they are utilized to their fullest extent and well maintained.
• Continue to look at student test scores to ensure students are getting services early on in their education.
• Continue to look at improving communication between the Lombard SD 44 teachers and administration, as well as parents and members of the community at large.

Basic Beliefs Aligned with the D44 Mission Statement:  

I had the opportunity to have my children go through the SD 44 school system.  I believe the teachers are dedicated to ensuring our children have the building blocks necessary to be successful in high school and in college as well as in their adult life.  I want all children in SD 44 to achieve their fullest potential.

Education/Occupation/Family:  

I received my Bachelor of Architecture from University of Illinois at Chicago, and an Associate of Applied Science in Architectural Technology from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

I am the Owner of Flint Architects LLC, a full-service architectural design firm located in Lombard.

I have lived in the Hammerschmidt School area for over 25 years.  Married since 1980, I have two children: one that attends Eastern University and the other enrolled at Glenbard East High School.

General Comment:

I bring a wide variety of experience to the table through my life’s work as an architect and through my past community service to such entities as the Lombard Plan Commission, Chamber, Historical Society and Rotary.  I know the importance of working together as a team to ensure that SD 44 will be fiscally sound while maintaining a high quality of education.

Contact Information: Please feel free to e-mail me your ideas, questions, concerns or other input at sflint@sd44.org.

Gayle Kankovsky
Member
First Elected/Term: 2005

Personal Statement:  

The education of our children is the foundation of our culture and society.  All that we have will soon be in their hands.  There are few jobs as important as this to our future.

Basic Beliefs Aligned with the D44 Mission Statement:  

I believe that education must not only engage the students themselves but also their parents, family and community.  The district should be proactive in utilizing local resources to provide as comprehensive and education as possible for each and every child regardless of their background within the financial resources of the district.

Education/Occupation/Family:  

Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies Education from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana.

My family and I have lived in Lombard for over twenty-five years.  Married to husband Wayne for over 30+ years.  We have one daughter, Caitlin, who attended Manor Hill School, Glenn Westlake Middle School and Glenbard East High School.  She is currently a working Industrial Engineer in the Chicagoland area.

General Comment:

Serving on the school board these past years has been a rewarding experience for me.  I have been fortunate in meeting many dedicated educators who are committed to continuing educational excellence.

Contact Information Please feel free to e-mail to me your questions, concerns or other input at: gkankovsky@sd44.org.

Gayln Piper
Member
First Elected/Term: 2018

Personal Statement:  It is the obligation of the community to ensure that the school district provides an education full of opportunities for all students.  I believe it the citizen's responsibility to take part in the community and its various governing bodies. Furthermore, from an early age, volunteerism has been instilled in me.  The positive impact that Lombard School District 44 has and will continue to make on all children within the community is inspiring.  to have an influence on the advancement of upwards of 3000 children's' lives is a profound responsibility.

Basic Beliefs Aligned with the D44 Mission Statement:  

By offering a supportive environment conducive for earning, with a collaboration between the educators and parents, the students of District 44 will develop into productive adults  All children within the boundaries of the district will be offered equitable opportunities to achieve success. 

Education/Occupation/Family:

I share my home with my husband, Matt, our three girls (Cora age 5, Georgia 3, and Susan 1) and our dog, Gibson.  I attended Glenbard East High School then Augustana College in Rock Island, IL completing a double major in History and Art History.  In spring of 2015, my husband and I purchased a home in the Manor Hill Elementary School boundaries. I am the director of programs and education at the First Division Museum at Cantigny Park in Wheaton.

General Comment:

The School District has proven itself to be a successful team guiding 8 schools and 200+ educators towards national awards and high marks in tsing and student achievement standards.  While there are numerous opportunities for advancement for the district, the board must be mission-driven to guide the district towards student achievement outcomes and thoughtful programs.  Given the successful and competitive county in which Lombard is surrounded, the direction of the district should be true to course and fiscally minded.

Contact Information:  Please feel free to e-mail me your ideas, questions, concerns or other input at gpiper@sd44.org.

John Schroder
Member
First Elected/Term: November 10, 1981

Basic Beliefs Aligned with the D44 Mission Statement:  

I believe that the basic mission of public education (including District 44) is to provide the best education possible within existing constraints (legal and fiscal).

Education/Occupation/Family:

BS Electrical Engineering  -  Rutgers

MBA  -  Purdue

Retired - Financial analyst at Bank of America

Married  -  Kathy

Two Sons  -  John  and  Paul

General Comment:  

I have been on the board since 1981 and am very proud of the high quality of education that the district provides.  This is greatly due to the high quality (both ability and enthusiasm) of the staff and administration that the District has assembled.  

I feel that the biggest challenge currently facing the district is to continue the to maintain and improve the quality of education we provide considering the current economic situation.  While the district is currently in a good financial situation the future is fraught with difficulties (Decreased property values, reduced federal and state funds) that will require continued fiscal stewardship.

Contact Information: Please feel free to e-mail me your ideas, questions, concerns or other input at: jschroder@sd44.org.