Sunil Bhave: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: Arlington HeightsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Elk Grove Township District 59 School Board Age: 35Family: Nimisa Bhave, wife Mira Bhave, daughterOccupation: AttorneyEducation: Juris Doctor, St. Louis University, 2004 Bachelor of Science (Economics major, Mathematics minor), Truman State University, 2001Civic involvement: Chicago Bar Association Indian-American Bar Association Korean-American Community Services (former instructor and tutor of U.S. citizenship classes)Elected offices held: NoneQuestions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately 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?District 59 is headed in the right direction. Early education is an essential ingredient to the future success of our children. On this point, I am happy that District 59 is on the verge of implementing full-day kindergarten district-wide. It is important that, starting at an early age, children begin the developmental process that will strengthen their critical thinking skills. We also need to recognize that most jobs today require employees to understand the cultural diversity surrounding us. Today's job market is different than in the past. Employers need employees who can communicate in a global environment. Good jobs in the United States are being outsourced because employers perceive that our graduates are not ready to compete in this new global economy. Therefore, we need to give more serious consideration to early foreign language instruction, like many other districts around the country. Studies show that it is much easier to learn a foreign language (indeed, multiple languages) at very early ages, as opposed to later in junior high or high school. This will benefit students invaluably and make them much more competitive job applicants. Finally, we need to make sure that students from disadvantaged backgrounds have an equal opportunity to succeed. Although District 59 is doing a great job moving toward equality in education for all, factors outside of the school environment can affect a child's learning in school. We need to make sure that we address and meet the needs of students who require this additional support.What budgetary issues will your district have to confront during the next four years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, be specific about programs and expenses that should be considered for reduction or elimination. On the income side, do you support any tax increases for local schools? Again, be specific.Although I am not privy to every detail of District 59's finances, it appears that the current Board has done a remarkable job of making progress on a number of needed initiatives while maintaing a healthy reserve. Implementing full-day kindergarten and an early childhood learning center will bring about substantial costs. But these costs are a necessary investment in our students' futures. District 59 has the ability to pay for these essential programs. Additionally, the maintenance of our schools is a cost that we will have to address every year. First and foremost, our children must have a safe and secure place to learn. The current Board has done a great job addressing these issues with fiscal responsibility. With respect to tax increases, I promise to take great caution before moving forward on any such measures. But we also have to remember that strengthening our schools will increase property values for homeowners in the community. Too often, we fixate only on the negative perception of tax increases without carefully considering all of the positive benefits that may result. I also would consider TIF (tax increment financing) projects in the community to raise money when appropriate. These projects have the benefit of creating jobs locally, while at the same time adding additional tax revenue from the new developments (which can be reinvested in our students' education) without a property tax increase. Finally, I would look at the possibilty of leveraging the school district's real estate interests to fund additional improvements.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?No.As contract talks come up with various school employee groups -- teachers, support staff, etc. -- what posture should the school board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions from its employees, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?The Board should continually be focused on achieving the best outcomes for the community, the district and its staff, and its students. Students will receive the best education possible only with a strong and motivated teaching and support staff. The Board needs to make sure that teachers are adequately paid because they form the foundation for our students' success in school. But at the same time, I would expect the Board to examine the totality of the circumstances (including the financial stability of the district, the need for additional improvements, and the economic climate in the community) before making any critical decisions invovling contracts.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?Absolutely not. Our job as Board members is to represent the interests of the community at large, not any one particular employee. Raising the superintendent's or other administrator's salary simply to provide a personal gain hurts our district, our community, and most of all, our children's prospects for quality education. We should make every financial decision after asking two questions:(1) how will we benefit our students and (2) how will we benefit the community.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Continuing the drive toward equality in education is as important today as at any time. At our core, we are one district, one community, and one people. I know that my daughter's success in life is dependent on the success of her peers. And when they fail, she fails. Therefore, I will work hard to ensure that all children in this district have access to the highest quality of education available, regardless of socio-economic background. I also believe that education encompasses much more than the three R's. We need to prepare students to become critical thinkers. Employers today need a workforce that can think critically and work together in a team environment, instead of simply memorize instructions to be carried out ministerially. The educational model of the past should not be abandoned, but we need to make sure we are keeping pace with the changes in the world around us. We also need to make sure that our students are completely safe when at school. We cannot afford to budge on this point. We hear a lot today of bullying at school and the resulting consequences. No child should be bullied. No child should ever feel unsafe at school. And no educator or staff should allow either to occur. We need to make sure that our students are taken care of and nurtured in school, so that they have every opportunity to succeed.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Malala Yousafzai. She exemplifies the meaning of courage through her actions. She proves that young people who care, and have passion, can make a difference.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?With the proper supports, anyone can succeed. I am not successful because of my own doing; rather, I am successful because others have helped me.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Telling a younger version of myself that how we deal with failure is much more important than the failure itself.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Mathematics. A foundation in math taught me to think critically and develop an analytical mind. These two skills have helped me succeed as an attorney.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never surrender your reputation or integrity.