Wendy Schilling: 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.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Libertyville District 70 School Board Age: 54Family: Husband - Patrick married 26 years. He works for Ascession. Sons: Jeffrey age 22 works at Brilliance Honda and attends CLC, Daniel age 19 and attends University of South Carolina and Kyle age 18 Senior at Libertyville High SchoolOccupation: Attorney Supervisor - Cook County Public Defender 3rd Municipal District Rolling MeadowsEducation: BA: Valparaiso University 1985JD: DePaul University 1988Civic involvement: Director of Umpires Libertyville Girls SoftballLibertyville Little League Manager Seniors DivisionVenture Crew 72Vice President Libertyville High School Boys Lacrosse LHS Graduation ChairPrior President Family Association Highland Middle SchoolPrior Vice President Family Association RocklandPrior BSA Den Leader Pack 71Prior BSA Advancement Chair and Assistant Scout Master Troop 72Mock Trial Coach Lake Forest CollegeMock Trial Judge University of Chicago Sponsored CompetitionPresident LHS Wrestling Parent AssociationMember of St Joseph ParishElected offices held: Libertyville District 70 School Board Vice President Local 3315 AFSCME Cook County Public Defender's Attorney UnionQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?I am seeking re-election to District 70 School Board. I ran four years ago to have a voice for the citizens of Libertyville that do not have children attending the Districts schools. I had all of my sons attend District 70 and came to appreciate the deep traditions of the district. I wanted to continue to work with District 70 to carry on those traditions.I was also concerned with school finances, pension reform and representing the citizens of Libertyville that do not have children at the schools. As an attorney, I was also able to bring my knowledge of the pension crisis as I am a member of a County Pension as well as my negotiating skills to the labor/management table.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 70 does and will continue to exceed in the area of Student Assessment. The District administers STAR Assessments in Early Literacy, Reading and Math. The District also provides Fountas and Pinnell testing to determine reading levels. We continue to administer CogAT at the 2nd grade level to assist the teachers in adapting instruction to meet the needs and abilities of the students. The students will also take the PARCC to determine College and Career Readiness as well as the Illinois Science Assessment. The number of assessments appear to be overwhelming but these assessments are necessary to determine if the rigor of the cirriculum are meeting the needs of the students today to set them up for success in the future. Assessments are also important in the District's commitment to differential teaching and learning. The current level of testing is appropriate and I would not suggest any changes in the process.How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?The Board in District 70 works collaboratively with the Curriculum Director. All new curriculum initiatives are field tested and results are shared with the board. The Curriculum Director meets bimonthly with the Family Associations to discuss topics from new curriculum, assessments, school performance and suggests for improvements. The Board closely examines proposed initiatives by examining the actual materials, and cost analysis when determining if an initiative should be adopted. The number one question of the Board is whether these initiatives continue to provide the rigor to prepare the student for the next level. The Board also is committed to the Strategic Plan that was adopted this past June. The Strategic Plan was created by parents, local leaders, teachers, administrators and board members with a commitment to providing the best learning environment and prepare them for the 21st Century. A section of the plan speaks to expansion of STEAM, foreign language in the elementary schools and to create an environment of encouraging life long learning. The Board's role is to ask the questions, challenge the data/assessments and to go to the classrooms to see the curriculum being taught. The Board should not be the driver in selecting curriculum. The teachers and the administrators should take the lead in setting curriculum.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?The Board will be entering contract negotiations with the Union in the very near future. The budget is always the one if not the number one concern every year. We need to be fiscally responsible in this time of uncertainty. The District invests in its staff and wants to retain them. I am concerned with the level of compensation for our non certified staff and that they receive a living wage. The pension fund is always on the front burner and no real solutions from Springfield. The potential of increasing our school enrollment with four new housing development projects. The financial as well as the infrastructure impact could potentially be significant. Yet, as a Board, we cannot be handcuffed when addressing our real current needs including a potential addition at Rockland School and the removal of the mobile classroom. The Board must make decision in the here and now because there is no crystal ball when it comes to whether these developments will ultimately receive Village approval.At the present time, no cuts are necessary nor new tax initiatives. The District is on solid financial ground. The Copeland addition required no bond initiative nor would the potential Rockland addition. The Board is always looking for ways to save the tax payers with Green Initiatives like the Solar Panels and LED lighting.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?I am not a proponent of school choice. District 70 meet and exceeds in all areas of standardized testing. The students are receiving an excellent education and the District has been fiscally responsible. The idea of school choice was to promote free market competition. This maybe an issue in under performing school district but here in District 70 it is not necessary. The idea of schools receiving funding based solely on property taxes clearing puts some districts at a disadvantage. All children deserve to be educated in safe and nurturing environments. The voucher system does not guarantee that the quality of the education improves simply by attending a private school. The real problem is how schools are funded and this is an issue that should be discussed and solved at the State level.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The biggest issue as stated before is the potential impact of the proposed housing developments. The proposed high density projects are not in step with our community. The School donation that a new home owner must pay to receive a certificate of occupancy would not even begin to pay for new bathroom let alone an addition or possibly a new school. A detached 4 bedroom house requires a donation in the amount of $3,674. The proposed development by Butterfield School has 148 homes and this clearly would have a bigger financial impact on the District than the donation would cover until actual tax revenues were collected. I am not against development but I am against high density development which is not financially nor environmentally friendly.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis. The Pontiff has not forgotten his humble beginnings. He reminds us it is our duties without judging to help the less fortunate.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?It is okay to fail so long as you get up and try again.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend time with my Dad and brother. I lost my Dad when I was 12 years old and the next year my brother.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Government showed me that if one sees injustice it is our duty to fight injustice. Thus I became a Public Defender representing the indigent clients.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?If you have tried your best and failed you have nothing to be ashamed of. Success is measured by trying again and improving.