Below are candidate-submitted answers to a survey Forest Park Review sent out to all candidates running in this year’s elections.
Age: N/A
Profession: ATTORNEY (WITH FOCUS ON SCHOOL LAW, MUNICIPAL LAW, AND LABOR/EMPLOYMENT LAW)
Years in Proviso: LIFE LONG RESIDENT
Are you a Proviso graduate? YES. PROVISO WEST
Do you have children who have, are or will be attending Proviso Township high schools? What are their ages?
TWO CHILDREN, 3 AND 1
Why are you running for this office?
I WORK AND LIVE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND REMAIN AN ACTIVE PARTICIPANT. RUNNING FOR THE 209 SCHOOL BOARD IS ANOTHER WAY TO CONTINUE TO CONTRIBUTE MY TIME, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERTISE TO ASSURE THAT PROVISO STUDENTS GET THE SAME EDUCATIONAL AND PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES I HAD. I AM PROUD TO BE A PROVISO ALUMNI AND WANT TO WORK TO MAKE SURE CURRENT AND FUTURE PROVISO STUDENTS HAVE A SCHOOL WHICH WILL ALSO MAKE THEM PROUD TO BE ALUMNI.
Have you ever run for or served in a local political office before? If so, when and which office?
I CURRENTLY SERVE AS A COMMISSIONER ON THE PROVISO TOWNSHIP MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION
Are there individuals or groups which actively encouraged your interest in running for the D209 board?
BEING A LIFELONG RESIDENT OF PROVISO TOWNSHIP WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND RELATIVES WHO ATTEND PROVISO, I HAVE A PERSONAL AND VESTED INTEREST IN THIS SCHOOL DISTRICT WHICH LED ME TO DECIDE TO RUN ON MY OWN VOLITION AND NOT AT THE INSISTENCE OF ANY INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP.
What do you consider to be the greatest strengths of Proviso Township High School District 209?
THIS DISTRICT HAS A VERY DIVERSE AND RESILIENT STUDENT POPULATION WHO ARE CAPABLE OF DOING GREAT THINGS UNDER THE RIGHT LEADERSHIP.
What are your strongest concerns about the district at this time?
MY THREE STRONGEST CONCERNS INCLUDE:
- ADDRESSING THE ACADEMIC DEFICIENIES OF STUDENTS ENTERING PROVISO FROM THE FEEDER SCHOOLS WHICH CONTRIBUTE TO SOME OF THE BEHAVIORAL ISSUES IN THE STUDENT POPULATION
- THE ABSENCE OF ALTERNATIVES FOR COLLEGE AND CAREER READY PROGRAMS AND NON-TRADITIONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS
- THE ANTICIPATED DECREASE IN STATE FUNDING IN THE ABSENCE OF ALTERNATIVE SOURCES OF REVENUE
How many District 209 school board meetings have you attended in the past two years?
NONE IN THE PAST TWO YEARS.
