Kathy Brown: 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: Hawthorn WoodsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake Zurich Unit District 95 School Board Age: 52Family: Husband, DaveKatie (20)Sean (18)Griffin (15)Occupation: TeacherEducation: B.B.A. Accounting, Loyola University Chicago;Law Degree, University of Notre Dame;Master's in Elementary Education, National Louis UniversityCivic involvement: Lake Zurich District 95 Board of Education Member since 2005(various committees)Elected offices held: Lake Zurich District 95 Board of Education Member since 2005Questions Answers What do you see as priorities for facility upgrades in the district?The District's first priority should be to fund the projects/needs set forth in the recent Life Safety report. In addition, the District must continue to proactively maintain the significant mechanical systems within our buildings as those systems approach the end of their useful lives. Planning should also continue on how to best upgrade our facilities to better support 21st century learning, including STEAM labs and collaborative work space. Community input will also be needed to help determine a desired course of action given the age of some current facilities.There has been talk of seeking voter permission for a funding mechanism to pay for building projects without raising taxes. Is this something you support or should the district seek more money through a tax increase referendum to address building needs faster?As a long-standing Board member, we have always been keenly aware of our duty to be good financial stewards for our community. The excellent financial standing that our District currently enjoys is an accomplishment that was hard-earned by our whole community.Over the last 8 or more years, any long-range financial discussions have taken place with an eye on a time at which funding might be obtained with community input and approval, but without raising tax rates. Providing the community this type of funding option is significant in its recognition that the community's support is the backbone of our District, and that the Board has done its best to earn the community's trust in having used their funds wisely. Future decisions about any significant funding mechanisms should be made by providing the community viable options and detailed information ... and then allowing the community to decide.Has the district done a good job in conveying information to parents on the Lake Zurich High School football team hazing situation? Please elaborate and explain if you have ideas on what could have been done differently?Given the immense challenge of balancing the privacy and well-being of our students and staff with the community's need for information, I believe that the District appropriately communicated with the public.What should the district do in an effort to prevent a similar hazing problem in the future?The District administration has been proactively engaged in providing educational opportunities to students and parents regarding hazing. The District will also continue implementing the suggestions made by counsel upon conclusion of their report on the hazing incident. Prevention of any future incidents will require effort and support on the part of students, staff, administration, board members, parents and our entire school community.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 impact of a voucher/school choice program is difficult to quantify without knowing what any such program might look like. The obvious impact is on student population and what any increase in students might do to class and school sizes. Far more challenging, however, would be the potential impact on our staff and administration to appropriately plan for, fund, and staff any programs needed to serve new students coming into our system. The Board's "response" at this time should be to remain connected to our legislators so that we understand, and have a voice in, any legislative decision that may have an impact on us. We must remain vigilant in understanding the resources that will be required to continue the academic success of the students of our District.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I would like to continue the District's initiative to increase access to technology in our elementary schools. I believe that our elementary staff and students are ready to experience the same dynamic impact that technology has had on our middle and high schools.I would also like to be able to allocate increased resources for STEAM initiatives/programming at all levels within the District. Lastly, I would like to assess the depth, breadth and accessibility of our vocational programs for high school students. Vocational training, whether as career or life-skill experience, is important for our students.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Kristy Seifert, my principal, who treats every staff member, student and parent in my building with kindness, respect, and an incredibly supportive attitude.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The best lesson I learned at home is the importance of family.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have become a teacher sooner.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject in school was math, which gave me academic confidence.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?My advice to my children is that your success in life should be measured by how well you treat others.