Catherine Finger: 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: GrayslakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: #BeJoOliverFacebook: CatherineFinger/AuthorOffice sought: College Of Lake County School Board Age: 56Family: In addition to my extended family with whom I am very close, I am blessed with a host of wonderfully dear friends from all walks of life.Occupation: Superintendent of Grayslake Community High School District 127Education: BA in Spanish and FrenchMA in Spanish LiteratureEd.D in Instructional LeadershipCivic involvement: Over the years I have participated in a number of community organizations throughout Lake County and at the state level.Current roles include serving as a Board Member for the following: Lake County High School Technology Campus; Executive Board Member for the Special Education District of Lake County; Governing Board of the Illinois Association of School Administrators; Illinois School Districts Liquid Assets Fund; Lake County Superintendents IASA Rep; Illinois Association of School Boards Lake Division Superintendent Rep.In previous years I served on the Board of Directors for the Grayslake Oasis; the Grayslake Exchange Club; and the Libertyville Rotary Club.Elected offices held: I have held a number of leadership positions in education-related organizations and currently serve as an active board member for four area organizations. Additionally, I have served as President of the Lake County Superintendents Association; President of the Lake County High School Technology Campus Board of Control; Finance Committee Chair for SEDOL; and as Professional Development Committee Chair for the Illinois Association of School Administrators. I have also served on the National Governing Board for the American Association of School Administrators.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 have a deep respect for the work and mission of the College of Lake County. In my role as a high school superintendent, I have worked closely with staff members on developing programs to serve high school students and high school graduates and I have seen tremendous growth over the years at CLC. It would be my privilege to contribute to the excellent work of CLC in whatever way possible. Serving on the Board of Trustees would be a wonderful way to continue to support the efforts of this successful, hard-working organization.In tough economic times, many students (and working professionals) turn to a community college for its educational value. How do you ensure that a person's financial sacrifice results in an educational benefit?It is our job as Trustees to ensure there are quality programs in place designed to meet the varying needs students. In my role as a CLC trustee, if elected, I would want to ensure that the goals and outcomes offered by CLC match the needs of the students. Monitoring the work and success of staff and students by working with Dr. Weber would be a great place to invest my time on the Board of Trustees. I would continue to acquaint myself with programs, courses, events, and offerings of CLC and actively participate in Board reviews of same as appropriate. Ensuring that CLC graduates are ready for life and career opportunities by monitoring the employment rates of students upon graduation would be another way of making sure a student's financial investment is a value-added experience for them.From the college's point of view, 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 uncertainty of state funding going forward, and knowing that CLC has already experienced cuts in state funding and reduced programs accordingly, this is an area of concern. My first priority would be to learn more about what the district has done with their belt-tightening and cost cutting as a result of reduced state funding. I would work with the Board of Trustees and the CLC Administration to construct an appropriate response to the need of the moment as it relates to additional potential cuts. I could not comment on supporting or opposing tax increases without knowing more about the possible funding scenarios facing CLC now and in the future. One thing I can tell you as a high school superintendent and a resident of Lake County: taxes are already higher than any of us are comfortable with. Navigating varying levels of state funding for public education is not new to CLC and I would work with the Board of Trustees and the Administration to create the most reasonable plan that balances both the needs of the CLC student population and the taxpayer.Community colleges provide many services to a diverse population. Is there a service your college should be providing that it is not, or reaching a segment of the population that it is not?I think the College of Lake County does a phenomenal job educating the residents of Lake County. Areas for continued growth include expanding educational partnerships and opportunities with Lake County high schools. I would love to see all high school students in Lake County earn an Associate's Degree through partnerships with CLC upon high school graduation. Many other states already have found a way to make this happen and I believe Illinois could- and should- be next. We have to work to change some current state-level requirements to make it possible to create this kind of opportunity for high school students. I would work tirelessly to find a way to make this happen for the kids of Lake County--and for all students in the state of Illinois.If you are a newcomer, what prompted you to run for the community college board? If you're an incumbent, list your accomplishments or key initiatives in which you played a leadership role.I absolutely respect the work of the College of Lake County and would love the opportunity to support their efforts.I would also like to work together to create the opportunity for high school students to earn an associate's degree as they complete their high school degree.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Quality education matters. Given the financial woes of the state, we need to pull together to protect the great opportunities we currently enjoy. The College of Lake County offers a wonderful way for students to complete many of their college requirements in a professional, beautiful, low cost environment. This option is a tremendous gift to our residents. I believe we need to support CLC and ensure that programs grow to keep up with market changes, and labor demands. In addition, CLC programs need to remain fluid in order to best prepare students for success at the four year colleges and universities many CLC students pursue.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Ruth Bader GinsburgWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Everyone deserves a quality education--and education levels the playing field. All people are created with their own dignity, giftedness, and incalculable worth.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I am grateful for my life and the paths I've taken. Every twist, turn, adventure, and setback made me who I am today.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Languages. I've always loved the written word and the mystery of communication between people. My interest in people and communication drives my work today.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Love your self, love each other. Be kind, be generous, take risks, and love this gift called life.