Sam Stein: 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: WaucondaWebsite: www.SteinD118.comTwitter: @SteinD118Facebook: @SteinD118Office sought: Wauconda Unit District 118 School Board Age: 36Family: Wife Becky, Daughter MadelynOccupation: ManagerEducation: Wauconda High School, 1999Flagler College, 1999-2001Civic involvement: Stein Family School Supply Drive - Annual donation of backpacks filled with all school supplies needed grades K-5. Donated 50 bags in 2016Volunteer at Wauconda TriathlonsFrequent Sponsor Participant in local running races (Wauconda Bunny Hop Turkey Trot benefitting local charities)Elected offices held: Appointed to fill School Board vacancy in January 2017.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?My goal is simply to serve the community. Having lived and worked in the Wauconda area almost my entire life, I know that it's filled with great people who want to see their children achieve great things. That all starts with a good education from kindergarten all the way through high school. My wife is a school teacher in Buffalo Grove. We have an 8-year old daughter attending Robert Crown School and I'm committed to ensuring that she, along with the 4,800 other students in the District receive a high quality education that will allow them future success whether it be college, trade school, or entering the workforce.I was appointed in January 2017 to fill a vacancy and look forward to being elected so that I may continue to work with the existing Board in guiding the District 118 schools on their upward trend in performance.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?Existing MAP and PARCC testing allows administration and faculty to assess student progress throughout the year in addition to the general awareness observed by teachers and parents. I feel that these measures are an adequate use of the District's time and funds as they allow reports and trends to be created and reviewed going forward.While some students may not test well, I'd rely on the judgement of teachers and administration to intervene with individual students as to whether the testing results are a true indicator or improvement.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?I feel that the Board should certainly offer input and guidance in the overall curriculum when it's brought up in meetings/discussion but the specifics and minutiae are best left to the experts that are hired by the District to do so.While I don't have specific ideas for changes, I'd like to see the Board make sure that all Wauconda School District students have the same opportunities to excel, regardless of any pre-determined tests, assessments or income level. I want all students, not just the above and below average, to get the same amount of attention from instructors/faculty.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?Wauconda School District 118 benefits from having very intelligent people in Bill Harkin and his staff handling the budget and financing needs. After a recent meeting with him, I have full confidence that regardless of the issues in Springfield, the District is well prepared for the future.A proposed budget always deserves a hard look to ensure that money is being allocated correctly and efficiently. Cutting back on programs and services is never ideal as it usually has unintended consequences for both students and faculty.As a resident of the District, tax increases are not something that I would consider unless all other options are exhausted. The District has been able to take advantage of grants as of late and these other sources of income should be investigated before looking to the taxpayers for increased funding. The area needs more commercial growth to help offset the tax burden on the residents.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?f a voucher system is approved and enabled by the State, it would certainly have financial consequences to the District as funds would be diverted elsewhere and decrease an already stringent budget. The school board would certainly have to take a hard look at the details of any program that comes its way and until that happens, it's hard to say exactly what, if anything, the board can/should do.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I'd like to see the school district continue to expand its offerings in technology-based education. I feel that significant savings are being realized with the Chromebook 1:1 program and hopefully this will lead to more efficient learning by students as well as instruction by the educators. Any and all cost saving measures should be investigated as these will lower the overall spending by the District, which in turn helps taxpayers. Rising property taxes are a significant expense for residents of the District and anything that can be done to provide tax relief will have a positive ripple effect throughout the area.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Elon MuskWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Sometimes that's just the way the cookie crumblesIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I can't say that I've done anything in my life that I would change. Everything that's happened to me has shaped who I am.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Early introductions to computers in grade school certainly helped me advance my knowledge of technology as a whole.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.