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Bonniejean Alford Hinde: Candidate Profile

Glenbard Township High School District 87 School Board

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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: WheatonWebsite: http://www.friendstoelectbonniejean.net/Twitter: bonniejean401Facebook: http://facebook.com/friendstoelectbonniejeantoGlenbardboardofeducationOffice sought: Glenbard Township High School District 87 School Board Age: 40Family: I have extended family and friends throughout the area. I have no children as of yet.Occupation: College Instructor, Writer, and Communication StrategistEducation: Northern Illinois University, M.A. Communication (Media and PR), 2009University of Illinois Chicago, ABD in PhD program, Sociology (International Comparative and Asian Societies), attended 2000-2005California State University Fullerton, M.A. Sociology (Applied Social Research), 2000Northern Illinois University, B.A. Sociology (Criminology) 1997Civic involvement: Election Judge, DeKalb County (1995-1997)Election Judge, Cook County (2000-2006)Census Enumerator, 2010 censusElected 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 am running for Glenbard Township High School District 87 Board of Education because I want to serve as a voice for education's future. Of key importance, with my role as a college educator of 17 years, I have seen a disjointed representation of student preparedness for college. As part of the Board of Education I wish to be a part of the process helping to guide students to college or career readiness. Note that District 87 is generally on the side of more prepared than other districts. I want to help keep this quality education in place. Additionally, the rising levels of diversity in the community means that different cultures are merging, and at times conflicting. This too impacts the ability of students to be ready for life in the real world.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?The current processes in District 87 to measure student success in the district are indeed adequate. That doesn't mean that shouldn't be vigilant in maintaining better than the status quo. As a board, there should be a constant reevaluation of the success indicators because life and cultures change. For instance, the world just 20 years ago did not include data at the fingertips through smart phones and tablets. Ensuring that students are prepared for a hyper-technologically savvy world should be at the for front of education planning.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 of Education should play an instrumental role, along with other stakeholders, in planning curriculum for students. Most importantly, the board should listen to the students and their families with regard to what is desired in a curriculum plan, so long as it coincides with legal parameters, of course. The board should work with community members to build up practical experiences to ensure career and college readiness. Further, all students should be provided with an equal and fair opportunity to a pathway of learning. Students with disabilities should have appropriate educational accommodations. It is essential to recognize the increasing diversity within District 87, as well as the greater globalization practices in the world overall. These issues go together. As the local communities grow with additions from all walks of life, it becomes important to incorporate into the curriculum training for students to be accepting of others. Global influences shape a student's understanding of the local world in which they live. Therefore, in preparation for a career in the globalized world, understanding a variety of cultures is imperative, whether those cultures live next door or on the other side of the globe. Building international partnerships that help to grow both experiences and understanding will set students up for success in a global marketplace, no matter what their intended career path. The curriculum the board establishes should include both core classes and electives that speak to this global-local cultural building relationship.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?District 87 currently has a surplus of funds. In that light, I would not generally suggest or support tax or fee increases so long as that surplus is intact. That said, if down the road there is a specific reason to consider tax or fee increases it should be explored so long as the reasoning is a direct benefit to the students and their future. All discussions of tax or fee increases should include those taxpayers that will have a direct impact from said increases. I do not feel cuts are warranted at this time, but I would do my due diligence keep up to date with the needs and practices of the district.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?There are pros and cons to a voucher system. The key problem with a voucher system is that somehow public schools get short changed on funding from state and federal sources. Funding is also impacted at the local level, as there isn't a clear cut taxpayer when district residency no longer is relevant. Funding issues aside, offering students the option of selecting a school that best fits their needs for growth and life preparedness can be beneficial, especially when considering schools with a clear focus (i.e. school for the Arts, STEM training, etc). Bringing students together with other like-minded students can assist them in learning all they can within their focus. However, the drawback there is a possible lack of diversity and variety in course work. For instance, if everything in the school is focused on one area, say STEM, then other necessary aspects of education, such as Art, might be eliminated from that school's focused curriculum. Quite frankly, it isn't a cut and dry answer. I have seen vouchers work and I have seen them fail miserably. Based on the current status and needs of District 87, I would say a voucher system would not work in the district.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Transparency remains at the heart of my ideas regarding communication strategies and cooperation between stakeholders "â#128;œ voters, teachers, administration, parents, and students. It is imperative that all stakeholders, including and especially students, be a part of the education planning that would take place in District 87. In that light, I would be available via email and phone to discuss any issues. Of utmost importance to me, is that a space is provided for students to share their point of view about how their school is managed. After all, they are the key stakeholder for which everyone else is there.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Tammy Duckworth. She is honest and knows her identity. She lives it while trying to make the world better for all of us.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To stand by your commitments. Doing this honors not only your word, but also the people for which you work with.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Nothing. Every choice has shaped me into the person I am today. I have no regrets. I am truly happy in my life right now.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?All of them. Seriously. I loved, and still love, learning. I especially enjoy writing about what I learn, no matter the subject.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be true to yourself. Seek who you are and live life to honor that, no matter what anyone says to you.