Patrick Groody: 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: Vernon HillsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 School Board Age: 58Family: married, 3 grown kidsOccupation: Manager, Abbott LaboratoriesEducation: BS Univ of CTMS Northwestern UnivPhD Northwestern UnivCivic involvement: St. Mary of Vernon Church furniture ministryD128 School BoardElected offices held: D128 School Board PresidentD128 School Board MemberQuestions 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?It's important that we find ways to ensure our spending is in line with both our current and projected revenues. We are currently in the process looking at options to decrease spending while simultaneously maintaining the high quality programs that are the hallmark of D128. Both issues are of critical importance and it is important that both are critically reviewed in a manner that ensures that the evolving needs of our students as well as the needs and concerns of our taxpayers are met. Nothing should be left off the table when future plans and budgets are considered. We've already made progress reducing our administrative costs by carefully reviewing the need to fill vacant positions before new people are hired, We've eliminated positions where work can be consolidated of eliminated and we need to find further opportunities to do so. and administrative cost savings in 2018. Additionally, we need to continue to thoroughly review our classroom needs and assess opportunities to adjust class sizes or curriculum offerings to make sure we deliver the most important programs cost effectively. Finally, we are aggressively reviewing our spending on outside services. Last year, we kept non-contracted spending flat year over year. We will need to continue to find creative ways to drive further savings in this area perhaps by collaborating with other local government entities and leveraging our collective buying power.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?I support the LHS pool project and will continue to support it until it is completed. I also support the use of District reserves to fund it. We have studied this project for several years. The current facility is inadequate and needs replacement. As new development continues in the southern part of the District, the need for a new gym at VHHS is an emerging issue. Prior to making a final decision on this project, however, it is important that we more comprehensively assess our near and long term facility requirements at VHHS and evaluate those in the context of our available and projected funding. I do not support proceeding with this project at this time and would not support using current reserve funds to do it.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?We do an excellent job of measuring student success and we continue to demonstrate improvement in key performance metrics including standardized test scores (ACT), AP testing, participation rates for AP testing and extracurricular actives. These are good measures which help us to understand the effectiveness of our academic programs. Although not measured specifically, we also work hard to assess our success by following our students in their post high school careers. Our students are well prepared for their post high school careers and regularly demonstrate high levels of performance at competitive colleges and universities. We continue to challenge ourselves to identify new measures not just for students but for our and teachers and administrators as well. We've implemented rigorous teacher and administrator evaluation and training programs and we hold our employees and our students to high standards of excellence.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?High property taxes and taxpayer discontent will continue to present significant challenges in gaining the support necessary to increase school funding, especially at a time when property values are still well below their peak of a few years ago. I do not support tax increases over and above those currently allowed by the current tax cap rules. We must continue to deliver a compelling case that supports that we are are delivering excellent programs at a responsible value. We must challenge ourselves to make sure we are spending every taxpayer dollar wisely. State funding uncertainty and the possibility of property tax freezes, pension cost shifts and new mandated programs will all create significant challenges for schools and other taxing bodies. Our existing commitments for purchased services and employee contract may well exceed our ability to raise revenue over the next few years and therefore we must find ways to reduce these costs. While many of the changes being discussed in Springfield may seem politically appealing, they will force school districts to make difficult and unpopular decisions. Any significant reduction in school spending or requirement by districts to assume costs for pensions or new mandated programs will require cuts to existing programs in the absence of new sources of funding. Fees for services, food programs and extracurricular programs may need to be increased significantly in order to make sure the most important and necessary programs continue to exist and thrive.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?It is important that the current system of providing excellent public education programs be continued. In District 128, we have a track record of providing one of he best high school programs in the state and among the best high school programs in the nation. I do not advocate substantial changes to the current model and would have significant concerns about vouchers and other broad based programs that could jeopardize significant elements of public education. Any such decision would likely draw important funds away from district programs and such changes would be especially difficult if done concurrently with many of the other changes proposed that would also negatively impact school funding.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?While new property in a taxing district offers a much needed source of additional revenue, it also can add significant strain especially when that new development has a material impact on school enrollment. I think it is very important that our local communities carefully consider the impact of new developments on school districts and their ability to support any additional student enrollment prior to any approvals for new residential developments.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis. His humbleness and willingness to fight for human dignity is inspiring.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The importance of working hard and serving others who may have been less fortunate.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I think I would have enjoyed the chance to pursue additional studies in medicineWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Chemistry. It taught me how to be a good problem solver.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always be considerate of those who may not have had all the opportunities that they have had