Richard Heim: 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: Glen EllynWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: VOTE Richard Heim for Glenbard High School 87 April 4, 2017Office sought: Glenbard Township High School District 87 School Board Age: 55Family: Richard and Anne Heim have been married for 33 years and have lived in the district for 32 years. We have raised 4 children, ages 30, 28 and twins 23 year olds.Occupation: Advocate Healthcare Hospital PresidentEducation: BA in Accounting and Business from Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa.MBA from Lewis University in Romeoville, IllinoisCivic involvement: Past president for Glenbard East High School Athletic BoostersLed a successful Lombard Elementary District 44 referendumBoard member for the Lombard Chamber of CommerceElected offices held: 8 years on the Board of Education for Glenbard High School District 87Questions 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 8 years and president for the last 6 years. I have truly enjoyed my work to ensure that every student in Glenbard District 87 receives an outstanding education. My wife and I raised 4 children, who went through Glenbard East, and my wife works in Lombard School District 44 as a kindergarten teacher. Our family has always considered education a high priority, and we don't consider any one aspect of education more important than any other. We need great schools, outstanding leaders and teachers and parents who are engaged in their child's future. In collaboration with our Board of Education members, I work to achieve those things every day.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?As president of the Board of Education, I worked with the board members and the leadership to implement a goal-based measurement for the District. The enhancement of the strategic plan involved adding clear and measureable goals that supported each of the key strategies established by the Board. This has been a multi-year journey in which everyone has participated. We continue to make significant progress and get reports frequently on all of the great successes we have meeting these goals, along with any of the challenges we face. A few of our multi-year, non-negotiable achievement goals include passing rates, AP participation, percentage of students in rigorous college/career prep course sequence and ACT (now SAT) attainment scores. Again, the board receives regular updates and briefings regarding these important district targets. This year we are working to streamline the goals to a total of ten (10) for the district. This process has been engrained in the organization and I would not propose any changes at this time.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 main goals of the board are to set strategic direction, hire the superintendent and measure goal achievement in all areas of the District, including curriculum. We have been working hard to ensure that the curriculum across the district is aligned and works to achieve our goals. The Board of Education has established a Student Performance and Achievement Committee that includes participation with 3 Board of Education members, District leadership and community members. In addition, we have been working closely with our feeder elementary school districts to ensure that all the curriculum is aligned from kindergarten through 12th grade.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 of Education continues to do a great job of managing an outstanding education with the funds received from the taxpayers. The Board of Education has been diligent in our fiscal stewardship by tracking key metrics. These have included maintaining solvency position and achieving a balanced budget each year. With the tax cap in place and a lower than expected Consumer Price Index, we have been challenged the last couple of years to balance the budget, but we have been successful. We continue to manage expenses and engage the workforce to set expectations for our overall financial health. There are a couple of significant changes that are taking place at the state level that could have a fairly sizeable impact on Glenbard District 87. These changes are a proposed property tax freeze and the sharing of the pension burden. Both of these would have impacts for Glenbard District 87 and all school districts in the State of Illinois. We closely monitor the General Assembly discussions and will make corrections to our expense management as necessary. There are no proposed cuts that are being considered at this time.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 believe we have a great track record of providing an outstanding education to the students of Glenbard District 87. We have worked to keep class sizes manageable, changed some boundaries to utilize all four (4) high schools most effectively and hired teachers who are engaging students to become college-ready and career-ready. We partner very well with our parochial school partners in the district and if such a decision is made by the federal or state bodies, we will continue to show our taxpayers that we can provide an outstanding education.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I believe that I have done a great job leading Glenbard District 87 for the last 8 years and I look forward to having the voters support an additional 4-year term.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.The current president of Advocate Healthcare and Chairman of the American Hospital Association. His charismatic leadership encourages personal growth and healthcare innovation.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To work hard, respect every person you work with and cherish every opportunity to learn more.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I have been blessed with a great family and an outstanding career in healthcare. Despite all of I've done, there is always room for more.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Business Accounting. Many leadership roles today require an active knowledge of revenue expense management.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work hard and treat all people with respect.