Brian Maye: 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: Mt. ProspectWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: brian mayeOffice sought: Mount Prospect District 57 School Board Age: 45Family: My wife, Laura, grew up in Arlington Heights, and her parents grew up in Mt. Prospect. We now live in Laura's mother's childhood home. We have three children: Dylan (9), Lucas (7) and Zoe (6). Dylan and Lucas attend Fairview, and Zoe attends Westbrook. Laura owns and operates Edible Type, an on-line store selling vintage and rare cookbooks.Occupation: AttorneyEducation: I have a BA in Political Science from the State University of New York, Oswego. I have a JD from the University of Akron School of Law.Civic involvement: During law school, I volunteered to assist senior citizens in a variety of ways, such as accompanying them to medical appointments and visiting with them when their family members needed a break. After law school, I served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nikolaev, Ukraine. While in the U.S. Navy, I tutored elementary students while stationed in Gulfport, MS. After moving to Chicago, I began mentoring underprivileged children who lived in state funded group homes.Elected offices held: N/AQuestions 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 this office for several reasons. First, I have always had an interest in public policy and politics, and I envisioned myself running for public office at some point in my life. Now that I have settled into a community for the long term, I believe this is the right time for me get more involved in, and contribute to, this community. Second, my children attend schools in District 57, so I have a vested interest in seeing these schools prosper. Third, as someone who anticipates living in Mt. Prospect for the next several decades, I want to see this community prosper as a whole. To increase the chances of this community prospering long term, I think it is vital to invest in, and further advance, Mt. Prospect's greatest resource: its school district. How we go about doing that is certainly open for debate. However, I want to be involved in this discussion. There are pressing issues that face the school board that will greatly affect the future of District 57. Specifically, how do we address the existing lack of space in all schools and the projected increase in the number students that will be attending our schools in the future. To the extent I can contribute to the board making sound decisions on these issues, I would like to do so.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?Our educational system predominantly relies on traditional classroom learning and standardized testing. The methods for teaching and assessing students need to reflect that not all students are able to reveal their abilities, knowledge, potential and progress through paper and pencil. Exposure to a variety of settings and experiences outside the classroom would enhance the teaching, learning and evaluation processes. For example, learning science through gardening, social studies through packaging food for the poor, or language arts through reading to nursing homes residents would offer great opportunities for students to learn and to demonstrate their abilities through real world applications in the community. These settings would give teachers an alternative means to teach and evaluate students.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, in collaboration with teachers, principals and the district's administration, should play a significant role in setting the curriculum for students. Not all students learn in the same way or at the same pace. Therefore, it is critical for a broad group of stakeholders to have the ability to create and adjust curriculum to respond to the varied and dynamic needs of the student population.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?It appears that District 57 will not be able to physically accommodate the growing student population without raising more revenue or enacting significant cuts to its existing budget. I oppose cutting spending as a solution to the projected increase in the student population, as it would adversely affect the quality of our educational programs. Instead, the school board and the community need to work together to ensure that everyone gets behind a long-term plan to address the lack of space at Westbrook, Fairview and Lions, and ensure that Lincoln is either renovated or rebuilt. Specifically, I support a referendum to increase revenue to ensure that all of our schools are equipped to meet the needs of our students for decades to come. However, any referendum must recognize that there are citizens who may not be able to afford further tax increases. Therefore, I would propose meeting with a wide variety of citizens in District 57 to discuss various options in terms of taxing and spending. We need to educate citizens on all options and reach a consensus before a referendum is put before voters. This is the only way to ensure that a referendum passes and our students get the best possible education in the future.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 circumstances in which school choice could have a positive net effect on the education system of a community. District 57, however, would only be harmed if desperately needed resources were unnecessarily diverted away from public schools. The board of education of a responsible and properly managed public school district should oppose school choice.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As a board member addressing District 57's fiscal constraints, I would not simply accept the status quo. I would be very active in developing relationships with local, state and federally elected officials, as well as the private sector, in an effort to generate new sources of revenue. In times of tighter budgets and voter discontent with rising taxes, we need to explore any and all options in regard to funding our schools.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Aung San Suu Kyi, a political leader in Myanmar. It surprised me that none of the recent presidential candidates named her when asked this question.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents, who made many sacrifices for my family, ingrained in my siblings and me that hard work and sacrifice are requisites in pursuing goals.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Taking advantage of unique employment opportunities earlier in life.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Debating during family dinners was more enjoyable than any subject at school. That time helped me develop interests and convictions I hold today.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Expose oneself to as many views and experiences as possible in an effort to enjoy life and develop an appreciation for the circumstances of others.