PARK RIDGE, ILLINOIS – December 17, 2012 – This morning, Incumbent Candidate Eric Scott Leys and Community Leader Mary C. Childers filed elections documents for both the 2 year vacancy (formerly held by Joann Braam) and open full 4 year term for Maine Township High School District #207.

Both Leys and Childers presented nearly 250 registered voter signatures for each of these offices for Maine Township High School District #207 which encompasses all of Park Ridge and most of Des Plaines, along with parts of Niles, Morton Grove, Glenview, Norridge, Harwood Heights and unincorporated Maine Township.

Leys and Childers have both voluntarily filed a statement of compliance with the Fair Campaign Practices Act (10 ILCS 5/29B et.seq.) with the Cook County Clerk on December 17, 2012.

Leys is a past District 207 Board President and currently chairs the Board Finance Committee.  Childers is a twice elected former Des Plaines 1^st Ward City Alderman and serves on the Park Ridge based Center of Concern Advisory Board.

When Eric suggested Mary run for District #207 Board membership, he cited her many community involvements as an appointed member of the Maine Township Planning Commission, Past President of the Des Plaines Lions Club, member of the Des Plaines Historical Society and Volunteer for the Park Ridge Civic Orchestra.  “Mary is a passionate civic leader and her perspective would be a valuable member of the District 207 Board,” Leys remarked.

Childers is looking forward to serving with incumbent Leys and working with him to maintain a balanced budget, protect the communities’ investment in our schools and continue to work for the students, families and taxpayers of Maine Township.  Leys’ commitment throughout his 12 years of leadership has steadied the course of the Maine Schools of East, West and South through three Superintendents, multiple union negotiations and work with numerous state legislators and local elected leaders.  For the past 8 years, Leys has served on the Board of Directors of ED-RED (www.ed-red.org), an Educational Lobbying group that represents suburban school districts.  “Eric has demonstrated his commitment to District 207 over these past years and remains incredibly committed to efficient operations and the highest quality education for the students of our community,” Childers said.

Both Leys and Childers believe in expanding educational opportunities for all Maine students, protecting students and safeguarding the interests of taxpayers, leading from experience and maintaining the fiscal conservatism that is necessary for a strong and healthy educational system.

While Eric Leys is focused on retaining his position on the #207 School Board, he is also considering expanding his elected commitment by collecting the maximum number of signatures needed to be placed on the ballot for 7^th Ward Alderman.  Each city election cycle, Eric has been asked to offer his public service to Des Plaines and until now has chosen to dedicate his service to District #207.  With Ald. Dan W. Wilson retiring after a single term, Leys is concerned that voters of the 7^th Ward have strong representation on the Des Plaines City Council.  As Eric Leys has said, “I have lived here all of my life and it’s important to me that the ward in which I live is well represented”.

Leys and Childers have been visiting voters for the past several months and are now preparing for a vigorous campaign in the coming months.  “In my view, each election is an opportunity to expand the conversation with voters about our shared aspirations for our community and our schools,” Leys stated.

Should Leys and Childers both win election to the District 207 Board in April, Childers will join Leys is serving on the Board of Education after having experienced District #207 first-hand as a student.  Leys is a Maine West graduate and Childers graduated from Maine East High School.

Photo of Eric Leys: http://www.ericleys.com/2013elect/EricLeysPhoto.jpg

Photo of Mary Childers: http://www.ericleys.com/2013elect/MaryChildersPhoto.jpg

Electronic Copy of this Statement: http://www.ericleys.com/2013elect/Candidacy.pdf