Amy Williams: 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: LibertyvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Libertyville District 70 School Board Age: 51Family: Gil Williams - Husband Ellen Williams - Daughter Gibby Williams - SonOccupation: Executive Director, David Adler Music and Arts CenterEducation: Bachelors of Fine Arts Ohio University, Athens OhioCivic involvement: I am the Executive Director of the David Adler Music and Arts Center. The Adler Center is a not for profit organization whose mission is with a commitment to community, the David Adler Music and Arts Center serves to educate, promote and preserve the arts. I am a member of Mainstreet Libertyville, GLMV Chamber of Commerce, and the National Guild for Community Arts Education. During the years my children attended D70 and D128 I was a member of the Family Associations and served on the boards of the Fine Arts Support Team and the Libertyville Wildcats Fine Arts Foundation.Elected 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, 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 am very satisfied with how District 70 prepares its students for the next stage of their lives. Having both my children attend district 70 and district 128 I have seen firsthand how well it prepares students for the next stage in their lives. Through my work at the Adler Center I have had the opportunity to employ and work with many Libertyville young adults that attended D70. Whether it be a Camp Counselor, Boy Scout, Receptionist or Faculty Member I am always extremely impressed with their capabilities to get the job done. I am really impressed with how District 70 is always changing in order to prepare their students to live and work in the 21st Century. I have seen them build a connection with community. They have brought in a strong program for before and after care and most recently full day kindergarten for all families.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.District 70 presents itself as a very fiscally sound and well managed system and is committed to maintaining strong programming. Tax increases should not be necessary when a school district is well run.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?NoAs 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 focus should be on a win win relationship by keeping the children's education as their number one focus and priority.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?There are laws that govern retirement benefits and govern what you can do. I would support what the law is. If they are doing a good job I would hope they would have been compensated according to their time involved.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would look forward to becoming a part of the districts next long-range strategic plan and build upon the strong foundation of excellence for the children that district 70 already has.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Tim CookWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To be kind and have integrity.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?My do-over is continuous, to make a difference. That is why I would like to be on the D70 school board.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Art. Art is embedded in all subjects and helps everyone become a well-rounded person. It helped me become the Executive Director of the Center.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?To be kind and have integrity.