Below are candidate-submitted answers to a biographical survey Riverside-Brookfield Landmark sent out to all candidates running in this year’s elections.
Age: 52
Education:
University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Graduated in 1989. Liberal Arts.
Fenwick High School Class of 1984 (Illinois State Scholar)
Occupation:
Independent Insurance Broker with Daniel and Henry Company since October 2012 and in the business since 1991. Equity partner and serve on the Executive Committee, Budget Committee, and recently appointed as one of three partners overseeing operations of the approximately 190 employee firm.
Previous political experience:
No previous elected office held.
Previous community experience:
Assistant coach in variety of sports and levels that my kids participated in. Volunteered in village clean up days.
Business memberships/organizations:
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Registered Professional Liability Underwriting Society
Independent Insurance Agents of Illinois at Large Board Member
Assurex International
Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB)
Personal Membership Organizations:
Associate member of United Mine Workers of America
Associate member of United Steel Workers of America
Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs
University of Illinois Alumni Association
University of Illinois “I Fund”
I AM Illinois Football Club
Phi Gamma Delta (Fiji) Fraternity
Fenwick High School Alumni Association
Fenwick High School Life Trustee/Board Member
What is the long-term financial outlook of the school district? Will there be a need to seek new revenues via a referendum, and would you support seeking such a referendum?
School has been fiscally responsible in the past and that needs to continue. While there may be some uncertainties that may result in deficit spending in the future this can’t become the norm nor should we be comfortable with it. For the near future there may be uncertainty on both the timing of receiving and amount of money we receive from funding sources so we must remain flexible.
These shouldn’t be considered until all reasonable efforts have been exhausted to provide a quality education and experience at a sustainable level. I can’t predict there will be a need for a referendum however it would be dishonest to state there won’t be.
Are there programs or areas of the curriculum on which RBHS needs to focus more attention or less attention? How would you rate the education being provided to students of all abilities at RBHS?
As I see it today, RBHS offers a very broad curriculum that meets the needs of all students. We need to be mindful of the balance between both career readiness and college as well and remain flexible.
RBHS is becoming a more diverse place in terms of student demographics. What is RBHS doing to address those changes? What more can be done?
Our strength is our diversity. The school should work towards attracting Board members, faculty, administration that reflects its student and the communities it feeds from. We need to be mindful and flexible to both community and societal changes.
Explain your views on the relative advantage of assessments and using them to measure proficiency or growth.
We need to continue the multiple measuring means being utilized in order to get a wide spectrum of insights into the students. However, we still need to be cognizant of individual student needs.
What other issues are important to you as a school board candidate? How would you advocate for them as a board member?
To continue the high performance and results the school has achieved while also providing a comfortable and safe environment. This obviously serves District 208 well and equally important makes it an attractive area for families considering moving into the district.
A board member should be an objective listener to families, taxpayers, staff, faculty and administration as well as advocate for them. I am committed to having an open line of communication with all parties as reflected if elected.
