Robert Friend: 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: LombardWebsite: NoneTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: friend8452@aol.comOffice sought: Glenbard Township High School District 87 School Board Age: 64Family: Married to Susan Friend 39 years.Two children Jennifer, married owns a medical billing company in Florida Class of 2002.Married to Susan for 39 years.Two children, Jennifer married, owns a medical billing company in Florida, East class of 2002. Jill married is a special ed. teacher in Hinsdale H.S. 86, East class of 2006Occupation: Retired, worked as power mechanic 34 yrsEducation: A Transportation Management from Daley Collage Chicago 1975A Degree in Diesel Mechanics from Oklahoma State Tech 1977Civic involvement: YMCA Indian Guides program with my two children serving as a Federation and state officer.Lombard YMCA now The Tri-Town YMCA for 12 years.When working at UPS serving on the Community Grant Committee.Active in my church, serving on committees and helping maintaining the church and it's activities.Elected offices held: School Board member Lombard S.D.44 April,1999 to May,2009.School Board Member Glenbard H.S. District 87 May, 2009 to present.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?The experiences and knowledge I have gained as a veteran School Board Member in talking with the community, teachers, and leadership.The relationships I have made with our local, state, and U.S. Congress being able to talk about legislative issues that effect the students, the communities and Glenbard H.S. District 87.What is going to happen to education funding, regulations, andunfunded mandates from Springfield.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?It works no grading system is perfect, the grading system used by Glenbard 87 is adequate but is changeable due to state testing changes.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 School Board Member we are trained to watch what goes on in the district from the balcony and watch the professionals due the things they are trained for.The School Board then gets the recommended changes and votes on them.The adding of more electives to encourage the growth of STEM and vocational education programs.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?None at the present time, other than what the State Legislature may do education. No more unfunded mandates. I hope no budget cuts are needed, the District may have to look at extra curricular activities, no cut athletics teams. We may have to delay some of our building projects.On the income side my hope is we don't have to go for tax increase.Fee increases only if there is a big increase in what our students use.wWhat 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?At the present time school choice has no effect on the district or other schools in Illinois. Legislation on school will hurt the district. From the reading I have done the funding follows the student making harder to class size and offer electives to our students.In the past school districts in DuPage County were able to stop legislation to allow a virtual charter school in the area.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?A state budget, increase in state and federal funding. The hope that there is not a property tax freeze and a way to fund teacher pensions that will work for years.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Our superintendent David Larson who works with our staff and the other superintendents on educating the legislators what is best for all are students.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To give back to the community, at church, school, and the neighbors.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?To due a better job in high school, working harder for better grades.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Wood shop, learning how to use tools safely. Then working construction after High School and home ownership.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work hard in school, learn good study habits , but also find time for fun and make long lasting friendships.