Christopher Geier: 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: Barrington HillsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Barrington Unit District 220 School Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Wife and two childrenOccupation: Chief Executive OfficerEducation: MBA, University of Chicago Booth School of BusinessBA, Washington State UniversityCivic involvement: Board Member, Barrington 220 Community Unit School DistrictElected 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 re-election for many of the same reasons I initially ran four years ago. District budgetary issues continue to weigh heavily on my decision to run for a second term. A tepid housing market, an increasing age distribution, among other more macro affects, will ultimately affect revenues and enrollment negatively. Also, within the next four-year term, the District will be extinguishing the majority of its debt from prior referenda and will likely look to the community to support long-term capital needs. Education of our youth is among the most important factors in the success of our society, and thereby our economy. It is my number one concern for our country. And finally, I believe it is important to be involved in important community affairs where I can actually have a meaningful impact. In addition, I want my children to see their father giving back to the community in which we live.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?Different testing mechanisms have recently been put in place across the District. I believe it is too early to understand the adequacy of such mechanisms. One area where I believe the District has made significant strides recently is in social emotional learning.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?Ultimately, it is the Board's responsibility to approve the curriculum. To the extent that individual Board members have the qualifications necessary to opine on such matters, I would suggest they do so. Education is a profession and should be left largely to those qualified professionals to propose, justify and defend individual curricula. The Board's obligation therefrom is to approve those curricula in the best interest of the students. Possible changes to the curricula could include more emphasis on critical thinking skills and abilities. Teaching students not what to think, but rather how to think.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?Given the legislative and fiscal issues in Springfield and the mounting debt at both the state and federal levels, cost control measures are of paramount importance. Over the last four years the Board has had to make difficult decisions regarding the budget by cutting costs, however not by cutting programs or by increasing class sizes. I can say, as a member of the Finance Committee, we are always looking for efficiencies in our operations as a way to cut costs, which certainly needs to continue. In terms of revenue, additional, new sources of revenue must be explored, including additional fundraisers and private pay solutions. The District currently, and has in prior years, levied at the legal limit. I am not in favor of increasing fees and have worked to actually reduce fees overall.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?School voucher programs are quite contentious. Because these programs are in limited cities across the country and have been in existence for only a short period of time, it is difficult to ascertain the effectiveness of such programs. As it pertains to District 220 in particular, the quality our teachers, staff and administration is very high and therefore, a voucher program loses, in my opinion, the very basis of its intention, which is to provide better educational choices and opportunities for students. No matter how successful some voucher programs may be, private schools will never supplant public education, simply because they won't ever be able to educate every child.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?One of the main priorities for the District should be to develop a long-term vision for the District and the communities it serves and proactively promote and effectively articulate that vision and garner consensus for it. We are currently in the process of developing that vision. Lastly, I believe in public service. There is no greater responsibility than being granted the public's trust. Continuing to build the community's trust in the Board is very important.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Jeff Bezos. The passion he brings to his work is incredible.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Anything worth having is worth working hard for. And the Golden Rule - treat others the way you want to be treated.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend a little more time being thankful for the things I have and appreciate them more.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?PE. Sports taught me so much when I was younger - how to be a competitor, how to handle defeat.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be Courageous.