These posts from the school board candidates are invaluable. I love how everyone chooses to respond in a way that serves them best and it gives me as a voter a look into each person in a way that forums and question-and-answer interviews do not. Those are also valuable because there is so much to do for the district, but your posts have helped me feel like I know the individuals more deeply in order to make actual decisions about who I plan to ultimately support. Thank you for making this a priority. I look forward to reading the rest of the posts.
Three part question here: Do you support a full and complete & independent financial “forensic” audit of D65, going back to when the last referendum was passed—in order to get a handle on what has happened in D65 financially? And then, importantly share the findings with the community via open house two way Q&A forums? If you support, can we get your commitment to call for this at the first BOE meeting you attend as a new BOE member?
I’m very interested in a forensic accounting. I want us to consider a few different root cause analyses so that we can build better policies and procedures; I think this is important for rebuilding good governance and trust moving forward.
I would definitely expect we would share those regulars transparently. One of my goals is to build a communications plan that includes more opportunities for stakeholders to connect with board members and more active participation in forums like FOIA Gras and other local media.
I suspect that the newly constituted board will want to take a number of actions right away on the finances, but I don’t want to commit to any specific agenda item. Part of becoming an effective board is building norms, and that includes collaborating on the solutions that best serve our community and what the specifics entail. Do we rely on our current auditor, do have find a new public accounting firm with less history in D65, can we rely on Dr. Grossi?
In short, I think we we’ll end up doing something like an audit on the finances but I would want to hear from my colleagues and not presume I have all the answers or the best approach.
Thanks, Chris, for your interest in serving on the school board -no doubt a very public, demanding and complex job. All Evanstonians should be thankful that so many citizens are willing to take on this position.
Hi Mark - I love this question. When I think about the purpose of a school I return to my studies as a political philosophy major in college. Ultimately, I need to narrow definition to the following: what is the purpose of a public school in the U.S.? That seems more within the scope of the current election and leaves room for private and parochial institutions to determine a different mission.
The purpose of American public education is create a populace with the critical thinking skills to self-govern. That was their original intent, and I think that holds true today.
The Founders believed that a well-informed citizenry was necessary for democracy and as a bulwark against tyranny.
Later this concept was expanded into common schools, which is what we’re mostly familiar today, with the idea that universal education promoted stronger social ties, built foundational knowledge, and developed skepticism toward authority.
Access has always been an issue, of course, and the fight to restrict who receives an education reflects the unequal access to power and privilege that continues to plague our public policy.
One of the reasons I’m running is that we need to rebuild confidence and trust in our public schools. They provide a lot of social glue for community, and develop well-rounded thinkers that become future informed voters.
How comfortable are you with the rhetoric in the online parent community? It’s been concerning to see the level of bullying and attacks that play out.
For instance one of your prospective board colleagues Maria was skewered online by the sheer fact their spouse is a homeland security employee. We didn’t know the spouses actual position or views, but immediately Maria was deemed to be a terrible person and crucified in a parent group. Ironically this rhetoric is led by a District employees spouse and someone who has publicly supported you. This person’s endorsement of you makes me wonder if you subscribe to the same approach of bullying and rushed judgements.
How can we stop the extreme outbursts and attacks, and find ways to be respectful and have constructive dialogue and ask questions not just rushed judgements and outlandish attacks.
How comfortable are you with this rhetoric and how do you assure voters that you will not mirror this tyrannical behavior?
I just try to model the behavior I want to see. I’ve avoided publicly criticizing the current board and have shared my optimism that we can solve D65’s challenges. I’ve also been supportive of other board candidates both at forums and in private conversations.
Tom,
These posts from the school board candidates are invaluable. I love how everyone chooses to respond in a way that serves them best and it gives me as a voter a look into each person in a way that forums and question-and-answer interviews do not. Those are also valuable because there is so much to do for the district, but your posts have helped me feel like I know the individuals more deeply in order to make actual decisions about who I plan to ultimately support. Thank you for making this a priority. I look forward to reading the rest of the posts.
Three part question here: Do you support a full and complete & independent financial “forensic” audit of D65, going back to when the last referendum was passed—in order to get a handle on what has happened in D65 financially? And then, importantly share the findings with the community via open house two way Q&A forums? If you support, can we get your commitment to call for this at the first BOE meeting you attend as a new BOE member?
I’m very interested in a forensic accounting. I want us to consider a few different root cause analyses so that we can build better policies and procedures; I think this is important for rebuilding good governance and trust moving forward.
I would definitely expect we would share those regulars transparently. One of my goals is to build a communications plan that includes more opportunities for stakeholders to connect with board members and more active participation in forums like FOIA Gras and other local media.
I suspect that the newly constituted board will want to take a number of actions right away on the finances, but I don’t want to commit to any specific agenda item. Part of becoming an effective board is building norms, and that includes collaborating on the solutions that best serve our community and what the specifics entail. Do we rely on our current auditor, do have find a new public accounting firm with less history in D65, can we rely on Dr. Grossi?
In short, I think we we’ll end up doing something like an audit on the finances but I would want to hear from my colleagues and not presume I have all the answers or the best approach.
Thanks so much, Chris. The bar is so darn low at this point that I think any and all of what you’ve set forth would be a welcome change.
I will take that as a compliment 😂
Don’t get too cocky! 🤣🤣
Thanks, Chris, for your interest in serving on the school board -no doubt a very public, demanding and complex job. All Evanstonians should be thankful that so many citizens are willing to take on this position.
A question I have for you:
What is the purpose of a school?
Hi Mark - I love this question. When I think about the purpose of a school I return to my studies as a political philosophy major in college. Ultimately, I need to narrow definition to the following: what is the purpose of a public school in the U.S.? That seems more within the scope of the current election and leaves room for private and parochial institutions to determine a different mission.
The purpose of American public education is create a populace with the critical thinking skills to self-govern. That was their original intent, and I think that holds true today.
The Founders believed that a well-informed citizenry was necessary for democracy and as a bulwark against tyranny.
Later this concept was expanded into common schools, which is what we’re mostly familiar today, with the idea that universal education promoted stronger social ties, built foundational knowledge, and developed skepticism toward authority.
Access has always been an issue, of course, and the fight to restrict who receives an education reflects the unequal access to power and privilege that continues to plague our public policy.
One of the reasons I’m running is that we need to rebuild confidence and trust in our public schools. They provide a lot of social glue for community, and develop well-rounded thinkers that become future informed voters.
Thank you, Chris, for your thoughtful reply.
So grateful Tom. I always ask for a mail in/drop off ballot so I can make careful decisions thoughtfully at home.
How comfortable are you with the rhetoric in the online parent community? It’s been concerning to see the level of bullying and attacks that play out.
For instance one of your prospective board colleagues Maria was skewered online by the sheer fact their spouse is a homeland security employee. We didn’t know the spouses actual position or views, but immediately Maria was deemed to be a terrible person and crucified in a parent group. Ironically this rhetoric is led by a District employees spouse and someone who has publicly supported you. This person’s endorsement of you makes me wonder if you subscribe to the same approach of bullying and rushed judgements.
How can we stop the extreme outbursts and attacks, and find ways to be respectful and have constructive dialogue and ask questions not just rushed judgements and outlandish attacks.
How comfortable are you with this rhetoric and how do you assure voters that you will not mirror this tyrannical behavior?
I just try to model the behavior I want to see. I’ve avoided publicly criticizing the current board and have shared my optimism that we can solve D65’s challenges. I’ve also been supportive of other board candidates both at forums and in private conversations.