Jason Loebach: 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: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Glen Ellyn District 41 School Board Age: 40Family: My wife, Anna, and I have lived in Glen Ellyn since 2004. We are raising five wonderful children, Evan (17), Ethan (13), Katelyn (10), Alexis (4) and Parker (1), and are looking forward to welcoming our new daughter this spring. Evan is a proud District 41 alumnus. Ethan and Katelyn are current D41 students. Alexis is looking forward to starting kindergarten in the District next year.Occupation: AttorneyEducation: North Central College - Naperville, Illinois Bachelor of Arts (1998)Northern Illinois University, College of Law - DeKalb, Illinois Juris Doctor (2001)Civic involvement: Youth Sports Volunteer Coach - Glen Ellyn Park District Sports coached: baseball, basketball and soccerMember - Faith Lutheran Church, Glen Ellyn, IllinoisElected 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?As a parent of five children, each with unique learning needs from special needs to honors track, I've personally witnessed the different challenges they've faced transitioning into the District, through the District, and transitioning out of the District into high school. These challenges are not unique to my household and are reflective of the diverse learning needs faced by students throughout the District. As a taxpayer, I have experienced the cost placed upon the community to provide our teachers with the resources and facilities needed to address these needs. I'm running for the Board of Education to ensure that the voice of all community stakeholders, including students, parents, teachers and taxpayers, are considered and that the priorities of the District remain focused on ensuring the growth and development of all students in the District.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 Board of the Education is tasked with providing an academic foundation that encourages students' curiosity and ensures all students in the District excel in fundamental, grade level skills. Student success should be assessed through clearly articulated goals. Providing teachers with the recourses to help all students reach and exceed these goals is the job of the District. Recently, the District published its Long Range Plan which includes Key Performance Indicators ("KPI") that students are expected to achieve and Action Steps that will be utilized in an effort to be meet these goals. The Board is responsible for monitoring these KPI's, determining whether the KPI's are being met, and determining whether the Action Steps being employed are the proper tools to meet these goals. Beyond academic indicators, it also is important to provide all students with opportunities to participate in their school community. From student-mentoring programs to extracurricular activities, these non-curricular programs provide students with a sense of pride and ownership in their education that fosters academic growth throughout their community. As a Board member, I will work with teachers and administration to ensure the growth and development of all students in the District.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 the Education is entrusted with ensuring that the curriculum meets the academic needs of all students in the District. Since the 2004-2005 school year, the District has averaged at least one curriculum change every other year. While some changes in curriculum are unavoidable, such as alignment with the New Common Core adopted in by Illinois in 2010 and now transitioning to comply with the Every Student Succeeds Act, it is important to consider the effect curriculum changes will have on all students in the District. Changes in curriculum must be carefully evaluated with a focus on the learning and intellectual payoff to all students. As a Board member, I will work to maintain a continuity of curriculum from elementary through middle school in order to further the growth and educational development of all students in the District.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 is charged with being the stewards of our taxpayers' funds and how those funds are utilized by the District. The District has consistently earned a financial ranking of "Financial Recognition" from the Illinois State Board of Education ("ISBE") and has maintained a high rating with Moody's Investor Services. However, over the past few years, the District's ISBE financial ranking has dropped from 4.00 to 3.65 and the District's Moody's rating has dropped from Aaa to Aa2. Additionally, the District's current Annual Financial Report projects an 8% increase in expenditures, which requires the budget be amended, and the District's most recent Five Year Financial Plan projects a budget deficit in the coming years. Although a $24.2M referendum for facility needs has been placed on the upcoming ballot, all budgeting issues cannot be cured by referendums and increased taxes. In order to work within its budgetary constraints, it is important that the District's budget be set before the tax levy is determined. This will force the District to work within the financial constraints set by the community. As a Board member, I will work to prioritize spending to ensure the maximum educational growth of all students in 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?The Board of Education is accountable to the community for ensuring all schools meet the high academic standards we have come to expect. The District has been a top performing school district and received several awards for educational excellence. However, not all District schools have reached these standards. In 2011, Churchill Elementary School failed to meet the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act and became a "choice" school, which allowed Churchill families the choice of sending their children to another school in the District. While No Child Left Behind is no longer in effect, the resonating statement is clear: all schools in the District must perform to the top standards of educational excellence our community expects. This is true for both general and special education. Continuing the District's position as a top performing school district will attract students if a voucher type school choice system is implemented. Regardless of whether a voucher program is implemented, the District must continue to provide teachers with the tools and support needed for all schools to perform to the top educational standards expected by our community and deserved by our students. The District is showing its commitment to improving educational programs by listening to community and staff concerns regarding the special education program and is auditing the program due to these concerns. As a Board member, I will work to ensure the District addresses the audit results in order to reach the standards of educational excellence all students in our District deserve.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Our District is comprised of several different types of learners. As a parent, I have seen the differences in my children as learners, from their special needs to the rigors of an honors based course load. The Board of Education is entrusted with ensuring that all teachers in the District have the skills and tools necessary to reach the different types of learners that make up our community. As a Board member, I will work to ensure that the Board remains accountable to the community, focused on the fundamentals, thoughtful in its decision making, and that our schools and teachers meet and exceed the needs of all students in the District.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Theo Epstein. His focus and commitment to long-term goals has led to success in multiple organizations.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Hard work. As the son of a factory worker and a teacher, I learned that success only comes from hard work.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?While it is important to learn from the past, I prefer to take these lessons and use them to face the challenges life presents.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math. It taught me to analyze problems and look for solutions that are not readily apparent.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?The adversity you face in life does not define you, your response to that adversity does.