Zubair Khan: 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: Hoffman EstatesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Palatine District 15 School Board Age: 38Family: Aisha Khan, wife Arman Khan, 9 year old son Aliya Khan, 6 year old daughter Amina Khan, 2 year old daughterOccupation: AttorneyEducation: Northwestern University, B.A in Economics and Philosophy University of Michigan Law School, J.D.Civic involvement: Northwest Suburban Bar Association, Diversity Committee Chair Illinois State Bar Association Constitutional Rights Foundation Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under LawElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately preparing students for the next stage in their lives? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?As a former student of District 15 and a current parent of District 15 kids, I continue to witness the tradition of academic excellence at our schools. The schools continue to rate well above the average in Illinois. Putting aside rankings, talking to parents in the area, District 15 is still the number one reason they have decided to live here. The schools are also important to residents without kids in school because the positive effect on property values. Being one of the largest districts in the state with a diverse student base, there will always be areas that need to be improved. There will always be a balance between maintaining the highest standards and providing opportunity for all of our students. The important thing to me is that the Board of Education tackle these challenges in a cohesive manner with healthy debate, but with the common goal of doing what is best for the children and the community. We cannot be ideologues when confronting complex, difficult issues.Rate District 15's financial position. Forecasts show the district won't see a surplus until 2016-2017. Do you agree with using reserves to pay for budget deficits?I believe that it is very important for District 15, like any other organization, to maintain healthy reserves. Those reserves, however, should not be used to pay for operational expenses. Rather, they should be reserved for items that cannot fit into the annual budget, but represent significant improvements for student performance and experience. Using reserves to pay for budget deficits may be acceptable so long as it is part of a long term plan. One very encouraging thing is that the district's forecasting has been very accurate, and therefore we should be able to carefully plan any use of the reserves.Architects identified nearly $156 million in capital projects needed at District 15 schools in the recent state-mandated audit. The board allocated $4.6 million this year, more than the usual $3 million a year. Do you agree with this approach or want something different?The capital projects that have been identified have been categorized based on the urgency of each project. The final report and recommendation from the Superintendent will not be made until the Spring of 2015. My view is that safety of the children is obviously the most important concern. Parents are trusting the schools first with their safety even before the education. My consistent belief is that we need to allocate resources to the schools to maintain safety and quality. Of course, this must be balanced with fiscal responsibility. Currently, there is approximately $150,000/year per school allocated for building maintenance. This amount cannot cover major renovations or repairs that are necessary for the safety of the school. While each situation requires a balanced approach, I agree with an approach that prioritizes safety. It is my understanding that the additional funds in the recent allocation were needed largely for a new fire alarm system, which I believe is one of those safety items that should not be compromised.Are all the elementary schools in District 15 treated equally, in your opinion? Explain why or why not, or where you think discrepancies lie.All schools within the district must have the same standards, curriculum, class size, and quality personnel. This should always be the case as they serve as a minimum baseline for all students. Some schools, however, require special programs to address concerns that are particular to that school. Equality of opportunity, in those cases, may require that some services be available at some schools and not others. In the end of day, the board must strive as much as possible to have equal opportunity for all. In order to do that, a cohesive board is needed.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?While my family and I have never been employed by a school district, we have first hand experience with this district. My wife and I both attended District 15 elementary schools(Marion Jordan and Thomas Jefferson) and junior highs schools(Sundling and Sandburg). Two of my children currently attend Whiteley elementary school.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The reason I am running for office is to raise the level of discourse and cooperation within the board. Education is a subject that raises the passions of many people in the community. That is positive because it shows that the community cares. The board needs members that do not approach every issue as ideologues, but rather be able to debate the merits of their positions, but then work together once decisions are made.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Kailesh Sayarthi, the 2014 Nobel Prize winner, for his relentless dedication to the welfare of children.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I have always been taught to be empathetic by focusing on the commonalities between people.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend less time worrying about material gain and more time meeting people who are less fortunate than me.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject in high school was history. I believe it helped me by giving me perspective on current events.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I would tell them to never be afraid of failure.