Laifman comfortable with Oak Park schools

Barbara Laifman Barbara Laifman has so enjoyed her nine months on the Oak Park Unified School District Board of Education that she has decided to run for a full, four-year term on the board in next month's election.

Laifman was appointed to the school board last December to replace Jim Kalember, who resigned with one year left on his term. Besides Laifman, incumbent Jan Iceland and challengers Edward Kaz, a public school teacher, and Philip Bonoli, an attorney, are also running.

Laifman has children at Oak Hills Elementary School, Medea Creek Middle School and Oak Park High School and says her direct contact with students, parents and teachers is a valuable for her.

"I've been very impressed with how she's taken the time and effort to get involved so she knows what's going on," said Linda Sheridan, executive assistant to the superintendent. "She's been a great asset to the board so far because she's been able to pick things up so quickly."

Despite budgetary and enrollment challenges facing the district, Laifman said her reasons for running are the same as they were when she sought the appointment last year.

"Besides love and security, the most important thing we can give our kids is a high-quality education. It makes children who they are in all regards—academically, athletically and socially," Laifman said. "We have an obligation to give them this good foundation for their future education, careers and to be good citizens in our community and in the world."

Laifman called the past 10 months on the board "a huge learning process" and found that a communication problem exists between the district and the community. Trying to balance many competing interests makes the job difficult, she said..

"I'm trying my hardest to see all the perspectives and do have firsthand knowledge of all of these things from talking to people, especially after school," Laifman said. "It would be great if every dollar could go to the teachers and the kids, but there are roofs that have to be fixed, textbooks that have to be bought. It's really like running a business."

Laifman is frustrated by a communication gap she sees between the school board and residents despite the district's ongoing efforts to provide open information.

"No matter how much we're trying to communicate with the community, there's still not a complete understanding of certain decisions we're making and why they're being made. I think the logic is getting twisted around," Laifman said.

She points to the district's policy of welcoming outofdistrict students, who bring in $3.5 million in state funding, three times the cost of educating them. But some residents have criticized the policy.

"What we need is to fill the classrooms, and if they're not full that's where we lose money," Laifman said.

Despite a dramatic revenue decline, the school district's expenses remain the same, which creates budgetary challenges for the school board, she said.

Facetoface conversations between the board and the community may be what it takes to achieve an understanding between parents and administrators, Laifman said.

"The people who work in the district go way beyond their job responsibilities to do the best thing for the community, but sometimes it doesn't get interpreted that way," Laifman said. "We are never hiding funds. The goal is the safety, well-being and education of the kids, and it's hard to balance all of that."

Laifman has a law degree from the University of Southern California. She practiced law for two years before deciding to become a full-time mother. She has lived in Oak Park for 11 years with her husband, Jay, and children Bridget, 14; Eric, 11; and Jonathan, 8.

"I have enjoyed it and gotten a tremendous amount of support from both the district and the community," Laifman said. "I get a lot of enjoyment knowing I'm giving back and doing good for the community."