Robert Baty-Barr: 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: BataviaWebsite: http://www.baty-barr.comTwitter: @bootnumlockFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/bob.batybarrOffice sought: Batavia Unit District 101 School Board Age: 46Family: Wife:CarolineChildren: Joshua, Owen and LillianOccupation: Web Team Lead/ManagerEducation: BS in Journalism from Ball State UniversityCivic involvement: Batavia Music Buffs, A Booster Organization - VP Communications -- Past President 2014-2016Elected offices held: No Political Offices Held to DateQuestions 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 have always been an active member in the community, from coaching baseball, teaching martial arts through the park district and volunteering at the elementary schools, RMS and BHS. These opportunities were tightly tied to my children and their activities. Now that my children are older, I feel that it is my time to contribute/volunteer in a larger capacity that is not so strongly tied to their experiences. I am also excited to learn, in more detail, "how the whole thing works". As a member of this community for nearly 17 years, I have been quite pleased at the level of service I have perceived our community receiving from our district. I know they are challenged all the time with balancing the needs of the students, staff and community and I am excited to lend my experiences to helping this community continue to be successful.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?I feel this is an ever evolving issue - the pursuit of defining student success. My hope is that there is a shift coming that more embraces mental health and the success of the "whole student" not just the academic student. Currently, I feel the process may be measuring the educators more than the students. My belief is that if we shift focus from measuring the educators based on student scores, we may be able to better address the "whole student". So, do I believe it is adequate? Personally, adequate is NOT enough.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?Curriculum setting MUST be driven by educators, not administrators. That being said, it is the responsibility of the board of education to evaluate and render final decisions based on the best interest of the student. Testing does not paint the complete picture. I STRONGLY believe that well-rounded and passionately educated students will perform better when being tested at appropriate levels and not being funneled through the "testing factory" that currently exists in some aspects of their education where educators are basically forced to teach to the test.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?When it comes to education, let me be clear, cuts are never acceptable. The question of necessity is debatable on many levels. We are going to be faced with some very tough financial challenges if our state cannot get on track. Facing that uncertainty requires creativity to weather the storm. We need to keep excellent talent in our educators and administrators while continuing to provide better than adequate services to our students. I do support tax increase when the spending has a strict accountability. When the schools are tasked with creating wonderful, well-rounded citizens that will go out into the world and make it a better place, that often comes with a price tag to surround them with wonderful educators and better than adequate resources. I view Batavia as a town with that commitment, and I want to help our town keep that commitment.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?The board must always support educational efforts regardless of public or private status. Our commitment is to the student. If school choice is an approved option, it must be supported. If the public schools are only providing an adequate educational experience, parents should be free to select another option. However, there has to be a formula in place to ensure that the voucher system does not only have a negative impact on funding for the public schools or the end result will be a far less than adequate educational experience in our public schools.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?We need to live in a community where our students are the primary focus. These students represent the future of our town, state, nation and world. To provide them with the services and education they deserve will require top notch educators with a shared passion and a board willing to support those efforts and communicate effectively that desire/mission to the community.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bernie SandersWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Believe in yourself.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Not being so focused on my career when my kids were young.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Philosophy/Logic and it helps me EVERY SINGLE DAY!If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?See the light in the world and be part of that light.