Kevin Huber: Candidate Profile

Back to Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 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: LibertyvilleWebsite: https://kevinhuberfordistrict128.comTwitter: @Kevinbhuber1000Facebook: kevin huber for district 128 school boardOffice sought: Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 School Board Age: 48Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Retired Financial ExecutiveEducation: MBA Kellogg Graduate School of Management, Northwestern UniversityBS, Accountancy, University of Illinois, Urbana-ChampaignCivic involvement: Chairman, Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC)Member, Illinois Board of Higher EducationElected Director, Retired Teachers Association of Chicago (10,000 member organization representing retired educators)Local coaching experience past 10 yearsGLSA volunteer coachLibertyville Girls Softball volunteer coachLibertyville JCATS boys Feeder Basketball TreasurerElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers There's been a lot of talk over the past year in District 128 about school spending and high taxes. Are budget cuts needed? If so, where would you cut and why?In reviewing the District's comprehensive annual financial report (CAFR), there are areas that could use a fresh set of eyes. All Board members have an expertise where they add value and my background from being a senior manager at a Big 4 accounting firm to running a 10B teacher pension fund allows me a different perspective. The District is in a deficit spending mode which is not unexpected when you accumulate such a large fund balance while having fixed increased contractual spending (salaries and benefits) with a somewhat level primary revenue source, property taxes, capped by the current modest cost of living. However, sound financial practices still provide paying for operations and debt service with core revenues and District 128's financial statements and annual budgets disclose they struggle to meet this goal. One of the questions I raised at the January Board meeting is the compensation and benefits paid to non-teachers, specifically administrators. The District has offered generous contracts to many administrators that should be examined; the need for the contracts outside of teachers is one question and the generosity of the contracts (25 sick days, 15 vacation days, car allowances, retirement bonuses) is another question. The other area I would focus on immediately is capital outlay, if it is a want or a need and how these contracts are bid out, awarded and monitored. There must be systematic and verifiable processes in place to make sure that we get the best product for a reasonable price.Do you support proposals to build a new pool at LHS or the now-shelved plan for a second gym at VHHS? Why or why not?Since I was a graduate of Libertyville High School in 1986 and swam in that pool back then, yes, I support replacing the pool. It was old back in 1986. Most capital assets are not expected to live 40+ years as maintenance costs become overwhelming and newer operating efficiencies are not maximized. I know it is a debatable issue, but the current Board has planned to make that replacement and set aside reserves to do so. The second gym for Vernon Hills is an interesting question. Since the demographics and planned student population has not deviated dramatically under the parameters utilized when the High school was built in the late 90s, what has happened to create this need? That campus is beautiful and modern and there are many questions I would have about why this was not planned back in the 1990s. I would have to sit down in the community and understand their desire for these resources. My concern is that Board members have to avoid the if Libertyville gets a new pool, then Vernon Hills gets a new gym or vice versa. We are one district with combine resources that should be managed that way.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?District 128s 2016 report card is impressive with test scores well above the state average. District 128 has a comprehensive mission statement that encompasses a well rounded student and citizen with six critical success factors, only one of which is test driven- an ability to think critically and solve problems. Other key objectives of the mission statement include an ability to communicate effectively, an ability to appreciate diverse cultures, and an ability to be respectful, responsible and ethical with attitudes and behaviors. These factors are much more difficult to measure and are frequently ignored when talking about student success. The process of standardize tests and comparisons to other districts, state standards and national college readiness is fine, but a complementary emphasis on assessing how you are achieving your mission and making the kids more well rounded in addition to their test scores should also be measured.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?In addition to my previous budgetary discussion, there is a critical issue that will be affecting all districts. Due to the state's difficult finances, there is a high probability that the State, who pays a significant portion of our local teachers pension expense, will be transferring this expense back to the local districts, including District 128. This will result in an additional annual expense of between 5-7M. The community needs to be made aware of this substantial additional potential expense and explanations provided. These additional, non compensation factors, are often difficult to understand and difficult to quantify and discussions need to occur to talk about this train coming down the dark tunnel. This budget issue, due to its annual nature, will require shared sacrifice by all parties, including the community. Expertise in understanding and managing this expense, specifically with a new teachers contract coming in 2019, is vital.What role can and should school choice play in your district? If Congress or the state approves a voucher system or other means giving students broader choices among public and private schools, how will that affect your district? What is the appropriate response for the board of education of a public school system?This is a highly controversial subject. The Board's policy should be to follow the law and implement that law, whether each member personally agrees with choice, vouchers, etc or not.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?District 128 has so much first-rate information that never properly gets communicated to the public such as its mission statement, key contracts, annual reports, report cards, etc. The Board also has very contentious information that should be shared. The challenge is communicating this information to a very busy public. One of the challenges for District 128 is improving its communications, in terms of frequency and effectiveness. Board members and staff should become liaisons in the community promoting District 128, answering the difficult questions, and making themselves available. The traditional Board and committee meetings are no longer ways to address the public and share their message. District 128 also should work in cooperation with local governmental agencies to address the concerns of the community. For example, land development and its impact for District 128 is a significant issue for the public right now and District 128 was somewhat quiet on the issue until prompted by the public at a December 2016 Board meeting.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Candidate did not respond.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Candidate did not respond.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Candidate did not respond.