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Edwin Brown: Candidate Profile
Grayslake H.S. D127
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.
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Bio
City: Grayslake
Website: Candidate did not respond.
Office sought: Grayslake H.S. D127
Age: 46
Family: Married 24 years and have three children. One is a graduate of Grayslake HS, one is in Grayslake HS now and one is in 3rd grade.
Occupation: VP, Operations Manager with PNC Bank. I manage two departments. 1) Business Resiliency which provides planning for continuity of operations and 2) Vendor Management which provides contract, financial, service level monitoring.
Education: BA in Business Administration from Monmouth College 1986.
Civic involvement: I am an active member of the Grayslake Lions Club and have been for 21 years. I have served on their board for 10 years (1990 - 2000). I was treasurer for 7 years, director for 3 and president 1 year.
I coached GYBA baseball, park district basketball, Colts Football over 5 years.
I served on the Grayslake Football and Cheer board as treasurer for 5 years (2005-2009).
Elected offices held: No government elected offices, but was elected to board positions with two organizations with 15 years experience; 12 of which were financial role as treasurer.
Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No
Candidate's Key Issues
Key Issue 1
Bring financial planning for both short term and long term needs of the district. Maximize the districts revenue resources in the most efficient manner that minimizes the districts tax burden.
Key Issue 2
Maintain and enhance programs that benefit the educational and developmental path which provide the foundation students need to be successful.
Key Issue 3
Candidate did not respond.
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?
There is a lot of data around how D127 is preparing kids for college. Data is lacking in how they prepare students who don't go to college. There are many skilled positions that don't require a college degree and pay well. It is important for the district to prepare students for either path.
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?
This district does not have any student capacity issues and the administration has maintained both high schools very well. Capital improvements are very minimal. A board that takes full advantage of the tax levy allowed under law because they can is not what I represent. Board members must be better planners and forecasters.
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.
Teacher's union often look to advance what is important for the teachers but do not always represent what is best interest for the taxpayer or the students.
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?
Benefits, increases, merits should match the goals that the district is trying to accomplish using performance metrics that are prioritized based on available revenues.
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?
No - that is not responsible management for any board member.
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