Farrah Silverberg: Candidate Profile

Back to Big Hollow District 38 School Board 4-year term

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: Round LakeWebsite: https://sites.google.com/site/farrahsilverbergbhsb2015/homeOffice sought: Big Hollow District 38 School Board 4-year term Age: 36Family: Married and have 1 daughter who is a Kindergartner at Big HollowOccupation: Administrator in U-46Education: BA Elementary Ed MSED School Counseling MSED AdministrationCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.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 think that they should be starting at the elementary level introducing college and careers to students. If they start at the beginning, then they will only know to strive for me. I want our children to be challenged. I think it wold be really good to over job shadowing programs and bring career fairs to the schools.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.I know that budget is a big hot topic right now. I think that we need to think strategically about how we do that. We need to listen to our families, students, teachers and administrators as to what things are important and then from there try to come up with creative solutions.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 currently employed by district U-46. I have been in the district since 2004. No family member works at the school district where my child attends.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?I think we need to look at all angles and come up with a 4 year plan, to make all parties happy.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?I would not, since they are retiring, I would make concession that were a fair increase.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Integrating technology into the classrooms.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My high school guidance counselor Trish Finnerty.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be kind to others!If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Spending more time with my family and friends.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?PE Leaders! It gave me the leadership skills to mentor students who were freshmen when I was a senior.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always try your best!The smart person asks for help!!!