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Tina Bleakley: Candidate Profile

Batavia Unit District 101 School Board

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: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: @tbleaksFacebook: Tina Petryniec BleakleyOffice sought: Batavia Unit District 101 School Board Age: 48Family: John-husbandKelly, Allison and Amy- daughtersOccupation: Social WorkerEducation: Bachelor of Social Work and Elementary EducationCivic involvement: Member of Batavia High School Parent Advisory Committee.Chair Person of Batavia High School Post PromServe as board liaison for Batavia High School Social and Emotional Advisory BoardVolunteer for Chip-In OrganizationElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions 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 been on the Board of Education for 5 years. The work we do has the goal of creating the best learning environment for all our students, supporting our staff and being responsible to our community. I have seen success and feel there is still work to do. That is what has motivated me to run again.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 think that when you hear the words "measuring students success", it is often assumed that the only thing looked at is a students standardized test scores. I think our district uses several different methods for measuring our students growth and progress.I would like our district to continue looking at the individual student first and then use the data to support their plan for students success.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?As a board member I believe our role is to let the administrators, who are the experts in the area, make the recommendations on curriculum. As a board member, we should trust our experts to keep the board informed about what curriculum they believe is best and recommend for our students success. Our district has a collaborative committee that focuses on curriculum and programming. That committee then brings their professional recommendations to the BOE when they feel a change or addition is in the students best interest.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?This is a hot topic. Budget concerns are going on in every district. Our district faces the same issues, no new money is coming in and how do we keep our budget balanced moving forward? I believe it is our responsibility as a board to look at all possible options. I do not have any specific programs or expenses that I fell should be cut but I do believe every area will be examined. Cutting or removing anything from education, impacts everyone, from students to staff and the community. I do not like the idea of our students being affected by this and I will have the students in mind when decisions need to be made. As far as supporting tax or fee increases, I will have to weight all options before I can support any increases.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 BOE is often told that people move to Batavia because of our schools. New and established residents are choosing to support Batavia because of the school. I do not feel our district or resources will be affected by giving people broader choices.I believe the BOE should continue to back public education and understand that may not be the path every family chooses.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am a board member because I want to live in a community that focuses on education and putting students first. We have that in Batavia and I want to keep that going.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Any person who fights for the rights and safety of children are inspiring to me.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Family comes first and always be honest.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?High school. I loved HS but knowing what I know now, I would have a do-over.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English. It has taught me to enjoy and love reading. Books are an adventure.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Family comes first and always be honest.