Christopher Lowe: Candidate Profile

Back to Batavia Unit District 101 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: BataviaWebsite: https://www.facebook.com/clowe4schoolboard?ref=hlOffice sought: Batavia Unit District 101 School Board Age: 42Family: Wife - Jill Son - Quintin, 3rd grade Daughter - Addison, 2nd gradeOccupation: stay-at-home fatherEducation: BS Architectural StudiesCivic involvement: - PTO Co-President at HWS - BYF coach - BYB coach - Co-founder and former Top Dog of WatchD.O.G.S. at Hoover-Wood School - Board Member of Andrea Lynn Cancer Fund (former VP)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 we're doing a decent job relative to other districts, but I believe we can do better. We need to prepare high school students for the life they're likely to live. We need students to know all of their options. We need to involve local businesses, community colleges, technical schools, and universities to verify we're creating students with the skills they desire. We need graduates heading on the path that gives them the greatest opportunity for success. To do this, we need to constantly reach out to the community to identify what those skills are.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.From what I have seen, our district finances are currently sound. However, I know many citizens that feel their taxes are too high. We need to make sure our citizens understand how their tax dollars are being spent. We also need to properly inform them of the consequences of either cutting the budget/lowering taxes or increasing taxes and investing in our schools. We are experiencing significant changes at both the national and state level in regards to educational regulation and funding. Without getting into office and thoroughly understanding the finances, I feel it would be irresponsible to say I am going to raise taxes or cut spending. Ultimately, we need to make the best decisions for both the school district and the community to maintain high quality schools while living within our means. If elected, I promise to do my best to understand the district's and community's financial situation. I will keep our citizens informed regarding district finances and any current and upcoming concerns we will need to address. I will make the most informed decisions I can to direct our tax dollars in the most efficient manner possible. If there is fat, I will work to trim it. If there is an important project I feel the community needs to raise taxes to support, I will make sure they understand why we're asking for the money, how they will benefit from it, and what the risks and downsides are. I will stand by any decision the community makes.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?I think it is extremely important for there to be a working trust between the board, administration, and employees. Ultimately, we all share the same goal of providing the best education possible for all children in our district. If there is trust, all parties understand we must do the best we can with what we have to work with. It is important for us to keep teachers and other employees happy, otherwise we will not be able to attract and retain quality staff. On the other hand, we cannot bankrupt the town in the process. It is important for all parties involved that we maintain a fiscal policy that provides both a high quality education and is financially viable both today and over the long term. We all need to work together to so we're getting the most out of the resources we have. If we act in good faith, with a common goal in mind, I'm confident we can build a mutual trust and respect. When that trust and respect exist, we should be able to construct a contract that maximizes efficiency, benefits all parties and continues us on the path to achieve our goals.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?As a rule, I would not. It does not seem honest to artificially inflate someone's income to take advantage of a loophole in the retirement system. However, I am not an expert on the topic, nor do I know the history involved. I may not have a thorough understanding of the topic as an outside observer. As a school board member, I will make it my responsibility understand as much about the topic at hand as possible. I will listen to all sides and make the decision I feel is best for the children and taxpayers of our district.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I believe Batavia is a great community with a small town feel. Unfortunately, we seem to be experiencing problems with trust. I've been active in the community and have had the opportunity to talk to politicians, board members, administrators, teachers, students, and citizens who have no children in the system. Whenever, I hear a complaint it almost always comes down to a lack of trust. People do not feel their voice is being heard or that their situation is being considered. In some cases this may be true. In other cases the person may simply be uninformed. I think we need to reach out to all members of the community. We need to recognize we all benefit when we have well run, efficient, effective schools for all students. To do that well, we need the support and trust of all members of the community. It is important we consider input from students, parents, teachers, administrators, and citizens when making our decisions. If elected, I hope to reach out to all who are integral in making our schools a success. I want their input. I want to know how they feel and their ideas to make us a better district. And, while we may not always agree, I hope we can at least listen to and respect one another.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Neil deGrasse TysonWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The most important lesson I learned was to learn something new every day.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I wish I had a better understanding of my career options before I graduated from high school.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math was my favorite subject. It is the one thing that touches every aspect of our lives, so it helps me in everything I do.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I would advise them to treat everyone how they wish to be treated and to leave the world a better place than they found it.