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Name: David Seymour
Age: 41
Town: DeKalb
Office sought: School Board Member
Occupation: Counselor in the CHANCE Program at Northern Illinois University and Senior Pastor of Logan Street MB Church (Batavia, IL)
Education: B.A. Corporate/Organization Communication, Northern Illinois University
Master of Divinity; Northern Baptist Seminary
Doctor of Ministry; Virginia Union University
Elected offices held: N/A
Website: www.seymourfordekalb.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/seymourfordekalb
Questions:
• Why are you running for school board?
As a 14-year resident of DeKalb, I recognize that our community has changed a great deal in cultural diversity. As our community continues to embrace cultural change, it is important to have representatives who not only reflect cultural diversity, but also act as cultural translators that will aid in moving our school board forward. I am running for school board because I believe I can serve our community as a much-needed cultural translator.
• What can the school board do to reduce the property tax burden on homeowners?
The property tax burden is exactly that, a burden. Our tax rate often prevents interested buyers from investing time, talent, and treasure in DeKalb. The tax burden would be less of a burden if we attract more buyers to DeKalb to broaden our tax base.
In order to attract more buyers, we should focus on the perception of the quality of our schools. Real estate websites have given poor ratings to our elementary and middle schools, which deter buyers from investing in DeKalb. The primary factor for homebuyers is the quality of schools, and unfortunately, the perception of our schools does not reflect the reality of our schools. It is vitally important that the school board focus efforts to improve school ratings by supplying and supporting quality personnel.
• The school board recently approved a diversity plan to ensure all students have resources necessary to succeed. Do you support this plan, and how should it be implemented?
Absolutely, I support the Diversity Plan. The Diversity Plan was a courageous effort. Great care and research went into producing the Diversity Plan, and I applaud the District for accepting the task. The Diversity Plan has established timelines that are already in progress. I have confidence that the goals of the plan will be completed as scheduled, because the school board will ensure the completion of these goals.
I also support the Diversity Plan because it has placed the recruitment of culturally diverse teachers as a priority. Not too many know that our district is now a “majority-minority” district. Diversity in our teaching staff is not a “fix-all” solution but it certainly helps prepare all of our students to function confidently in an already “majority-minority” world.
• How do you feel about the recent controversy about out-of-district students attending district schools? Should the district do more to weed out students who are not residing within its boundaries?
I feel this is a controversy with no merit. The claims that our District educate a large percentage of out-of-district students is unfounded, and completely rooted in fear mongering. As a person of color, I am personally offended by such a weak attempt to somehow “Make DeKalb Great Again.” The attack on “out-of-district students” is akin to erecting a wall at this nation’s southern border.
As I understand it, a paid investigator has proved that a small percentage (in the range of 2 to 3%) of students might need to produce evidence of residency. However; in order for class reductions be to efficient, the District would need to prove 22% of the student population were out-of-district residents. We are nowhere near 22%. I believe we are wasting too much time and money on this asinine controversy.
• What do you think are the biggest challenges the district will face in the next four years, and how can you help solve them?
I think the biggest challenges the district will face in the next four years are overcoming the tax burden and diversity issues.
Tax Burden:
As previously stated, the tax burden is a distraction to our community; where we need attraction. As an employee of Northern Illinois University (the counties largest employer), I am keenly aware of employees who choose to reside in other communities because the taxes are better.
I am willing to first learn the complexities of the tax issue and work with other board members to bring resolution to the tax problem. I am also willing to collaborate with other civic entities (City of DeKalb, Chamber of Commerce, etc.) to bring resolution to the tax burden, as the school board cannot bring resolution alone. Progress towards alleviating the tax burden benefits all of us, so we all need to all to be involved.
Diversity:
As the complexity of our community changes, it is important that our school district reflects the diversity of the citizens of DeKalb. Great efforts have been placed into establishing our Diversity Plan and the school board should insist that its goals and objectives are achieved. One objective presented in the Diversity Plan calls for recruitment of diverse teachers. I will personally work to assist in the efforts to recruit qualified candidates beyond the campuses of Northern Illinois University, Rockford University, and Aurora University. As a member of the school board I will work to ensure that our schools are equipped with best staff so that our students are prepared for the future.