Dupage Policy Journal

Jim Liceaga says he's running for a seat on the Westmont Community School District 201 board because he wants to keep academic standards high, help schools access the funding they need and believes that he can get results.

Liceaga is one of the Children First 201 slate of candidates for the board, and the father of six has deep connections to both the board and the community. Two of his children attended Westmont schools, so he understands the challenges.

"I am a father of six kids, and I know what's needed in the schools for them to learn," he told DuPage Policy Journal. "I want to make sure these schools are still meeting the needs of our kids and not just being a rubber stamp for everything that's put up for passage."

According to the Children First 201, “Jim is a positive person and wants the best for all our children. Just like their parents, he wants each one to succeed in school and in life. That is why he wants to serve CUSD (Community Unit School District) 201 as a dedicated school board member," the website said.

Liceaga said he wants to "keep school standards what they are, things like getting the funding the schools need to do the job and making sure the kids are learning as they should. I want to be a voice for the kids."

Liceaga has the children "and their best interests" at heart, according to Children First 201, adding that he "supports teachers and wants to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to educate our children." Liceaga has worked as a wholesale banker, mortgage underwriter and a businessman. He believes he can translate those successes to the board. "Jim has already demonstrated his commitment to serving the Westmont community through his active involvement in many organizations and initiatives," the website says.

"All my kids are done with school, but I still want to serve my community by making sure the ones coming up now are getting what they need from the schools to have a fair shot," he said. "Again, I want the schools to be focused on what they should be because we've already put so many of our kids behind the curve with what we did during the pandemic."

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the district has 1,346 students in its five schools and employs 110 teachers, for a student-to-teacher ratio to 12 to 1.