Sean Sullivan: Candidate Profile

Back to Maine Township High School District 207 School Board

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: Park RidgeWebsite: N/AOffice sought: Maine Township High School District 207 School Board Age: 53Family: Married with 4 childrenOccupation: College AdministratorEducation: BS: Political Science JD: LawCivic involvement: Member of numerous civic, charitable, fraternal and community organizations over the last 30 years.Elected offices held: Assuming that you mean publicly elected offices: member of the District 207 school board for 8 years.Questions 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?I think that District 207 is doing an excellent job in preparing it's students. As we all know NCLB served as an unfunded mandate that resulted in few if any actual improvements in districts such as 207. Maine High Schools continue to focus on preparing our students for the future, looking to provide a quality education, support remedial educational needs when necessary and prepare and provide state of the art technology where appropriate. I believe that it is the Boards responsibility to provide the vision as to which direction we expect the Administration and staff to take our students. I would make no "changes" at this time, but rather continue on the progressive course the District has already established.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.Over the past two years, I have proposed and supported an abatement of taxes back to the residents of our district. Spending for the sake of spending is the kind of vision that causes failure. I believe that as the stewards of the taxpayers money, it is our duty to maximize the expenditure of funds within the District. While it is not practical that we could afford to abate taxes every year, I think it is our duty to do so when the budget allows. I am adamant that I do not believe that cuts are required or necessary at this time, but in my eight years on the board, I feel that I have proven that I am willing to make cuts when necessary, no matter how difficult. Our students must always come first.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?I am employed by Triton Community College District #504, which is located outside of Maine Township. I have no family or relatives who are employed by or seeking employment with District #207As 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?I personally have over 17 years experience in contact negotiations with 7 bargaining units and 9 different union locals. "Good" and in my mind "proper" negotiations avoid "posturing". Posturing should not be confused with a negotiating position. A good negotiating position MUST be both flexible and progressive. While posturing is a natural occurrence in the position of sides between parties, it is best when avoided through everyone's best effort. The past negotiations to which I have been involved, between District 207 and its certified staff has been open and productive. The MTA and the 207 Administration have worked well together to create a cohesive relationship. The Negotiated Agreements that I have voted upon between these parties have been fair and equitable. While reducing present and future costs to the District and its taxpayers, the Agreements have also maintained a fair and competitive compensation for the faculty, assuring us a high quality faculty, now and into the future. Continuing to protect the taxpayers investment in the school district and providing the best possible education for our students should be the combined goals of any board of education. In my 8 years on the board, I think that we have improved that position on both fronts. This is not achieved by entering negotiations with preconceived posturing and position based bargaining. In win-win bargaining, the students are the true winners. We have abated tax increases for 2 consecutive years and that continues to be my goal.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?We do not. However, I do not support the 11 hour creation of a golden parachute which only increases the burden upon the state retirement systems and in turn, upon the local taxpayers.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?STUDENTS FIRST! When I ran for the board the first time 8 years ago, I had been approached to run for Alderman. I turned down the request and cited that if I were to run for any public office, I would want it to be one where I felt I had the knowledge and ability to make a positive impact. I said I thought I would make a better high school board member. My friend Bob Mau then challenged me to run for 207 and to make a difference. I have no desire or ambition for any other public office and have never put myself up for any other office. I ran for this board using the phrase "Last on the ballot, putting students first." Every vote I have made in eight years has been made by me after analyzing what decision I thought would be best for the students. As I run for my third term on the 207 board, I think I have made a positive difference. Again, I find myself last on the ballot and still assert that we analyze their best interests and put STUDENTS FIRST! Voting is the most important civic duty you can perform. However you choose to vote, please take the time to vote on April 7.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope FrancisWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be honest.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?None. I am blessed in my life, my family, my friends and my job. I would not risk the impact that changing anything could have.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Philosophy. It taught me to look at all sides and to accept all opinions.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Life gives you the opportunity to learn something new every day, don't pass that up. Learning is living.