Below are candidate-submitted answers to a biographical survey Forest Park Review sent out to all candidates running in this year’s elections.
Age: 48
Profession: Vice President of Education, Chicago Academy of Sciences and its’ Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
Years in Forest Park: 12
Are you a D 91 graduate? No
Do you have children who have, are or will be attending District 91 schools? Yes
What are their ages?
16, 13 – one went to District 91 through 8th grade, the other is in 8th grade at the Middle School now
Why are you running for this office?
I believe public service is important and I have always been involved in education – both professionally and personally.
Have you ever run for or served in a local political office before? Yes
If so, when and which office?
2010-2011 appointed member of District 91 Board of Education. Run unsuccessfully for a full term in 2011.
Are there individuals or groups which actively encouraged your interest in running for the D91 board? No
What do you consider to be the greatest strengths of District 91?
- Fiscal position and responsibility
- Student support services (special education, occupational and speech therapy, etc.)
- Implementation of assessment based on student growth models
- Small class sizes
What are your strongest concerns about the district at this time?
- Need to assure teacher professional development related to implementing Common Core Math and Reading Standards and upcoming Next Generation Science Standards
- Potential shift of pension costs from the state to the district and the loss of state grant funding
- Decreasing enrollment causing increased per pupil costs
- Communication with parents and taxpayers
How many District 91 school board meetings have you attended in the past two years? 9
