Greg Ball, 4 years: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: LindenhurstWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Millburn Elementary D24, 4-year termAge: 46Family: Married with four children, ages 7 - 14Occupation: BiostatisticianEducation: PhD in Biostatistics, University of Texas, 2008MS in Statistics, Purdue University, 2000MA in Math Education, Boston University, 1991BS in Economics, Northwestern University, 1986Civic involvement: Habitat for Humanity; Lake CountyChanging Tomorrow Day; AstellasMystery Reader; Millburn CentralCub Scouts (Assistant Den Leader)City League and YMCA Coach (football, soccer, basketball and baseball)Exchange Student HostExchange Teacher HostElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To use my education (12 years in public school and 16 years in college) and experience (4 years in the US Navy, 5 years teaching high school, 5 years teaching college and 12 years as a Biostatistician) to help guide decisions about how to maintain the current high quality of our educational system during this time of economic hardship.Key Issue 2 To find ways to use statistics to make the best use of our constrained resources.Key Issue 3 To find new ways to support and encourage our teachers and administrators.Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your district is preparing students for the next stage in their lives, whether it be from elementary into high school or high school into college or full-time employment? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?Our district has done a great job preparing students for the next stage of their lives. However, I'm concerned about how economic constraints are going to impact the ability of our district to continue to do this at the same high level.What budget issues will the district have to confront? What measures do you support to address them? If cuts are needed, be specific about programs and expenses that should be reduced or eliminated. Do you support any tax increases for local schools?Tax increases are for the people and the politicians to decide. I will collaborate with district administrators and teachers to use the budget we have to provide the best education possible for the students.Is experience as a teacher or support from a union valuable because it suggests educational insights or detrimental because it creates pro-teacher bias? Please clarify whether you have such experience or would accept union support.I believe these two things are different. Experience as a teacher (which I have) provides valuable insights. Support from a union (which I do not have) creates a pro-teacher bias.As contract talks come up with various employee groups, what posture should the board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?What posture the board takes should depend on the past performance of the school and the available budget. If the budget is reduced, then all options necessary to stay within the budget should be considered.If your district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, would you support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits? Why or why not?I do not believe that we should resort to indirect means to achieve long term goals. That just creates more problems.