Jeff Bowes: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Arlington HeightsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Prospect Heights Elementary D23Age: 49Family: Married for 20 years with 2 children (ages 12 15)Occupation: Graphic DesignerEducation: BA in Industrial Design at the University of Illinois,1985Civic involvement: National School Boards Association National AffiliateEisenhower PTOMacArthur Middle School PTOProspect Heights Instrumental League (PHIL)District 23 Referendum Committee (2004)Elected offices held: Prospect Heights School District #23 Board of Education, 2007 - 2011 (Board of Education Vice President 2009 - 2011)Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Balance out the budget with the least effect on student performance and experience. This is the District#146;s toughest challenge. Revenues are shrinking while costs (energy, supplies, insurance and contracts) continue to increase.Key Issue 2 Help guide smooth transition to grade level centers. Support and feedback from all community members will be important for the successful implementation of the new school configuration.Key Issue 3 Increase the effectiveness of district communication. During the GLC debate, Board members found it difficult to comment on something they viewed as positive about GLC's because parents against the reconfiguration took these comments as meaning that a decision had already been made. We have a communication plan for daily information but do not have a set strategy for controversial issues, how to combat misinformation that has been disseminated either purposely or accidental or the proper platform and timing for community feedback.Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your district is preparing students for the next stage in their lives, whether it be from elementary into high school or high school into college or full-time employment? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?I am extremely satisfied. The district does very well as the kids move into High School District 214. MacArthur Middle School was rated #18 by Chicago Magazine among 1,700 schools in the Chicago area. Our ISAT test scores are consistent with the state#146;s top performing schools and the district has received the SchoolSearch Bright Red Apple Award of excellence. We offer a variety of subjects, extra curricular activities and community service projects for our students that increase their overall experience and skill sets.I supported the change to Grade Level Centers. As well as saving over $300,000 a year and keeping some programs off the chopping block, it will provide opportunity for all of the districts teachers to work collaboratively, unify content for each grade, allow for resources specific to each grade level to be held in one location, stabilize student placement so all district class sizes are equivalent and help reduce population transitions students experience at the middle- and high-school level.What budget issues will the district have to confront? What measures do you support to address them? If cuts are needed, be specific about programs and expenses that should be reduced or eliminated. Do you support any tax increases for local schools?The district has dwindling tax revenues and increased energy and insurance costs along with salary and supply requirements. The Board cut $1.2 million from this year#146;s budget but projected an additional deficit in the budget for next year as property tax collection rates fell from 98% to 94%, the taxing rate was limited as the Consumer Price Index dropped and grant money was reduced. The district will address another $1.5 million in cuts set for next year. The Board has been proactive in cutting items least obtrusive to the classroom experience. Current budget reductions include school configuration; postponing items such as library materials, textbook adoption/replacement and technology; reduction in administrative support, building capital outlay, classroom aides and materials, consulting fees, health insurance benefits, micro-processing, network services, pe equipment, professional fees, stipends, tuition reimbursement and utilities. Increased or new fees have been discussed and will be determined in the next two months for extracurricular; band; orchestra; chorus; technology. If the economy does not improve, the only items left to consider would be to increase class size and cut extracurricular programs along with art, gym and music. These are the last things I personally would want to cut since they enrich the learning process and would have a negative impact on students. That said, our options are running out if our revenues do not increase and so I do support a referendum. It may be a difficult sell with the current economic situation and state tax increase but this district has implemented $2.7 million in budget cuts over 2 years and is on the cusp of having to cut programs that benefit the individual student as well as the district as a whole.Is experience as a teacher or support from a union valuable because it suggests educational insights or detrimental because it creates pro-teacher bias? Please clarify whether you have such experience or would accept union support.I believe that experience in education could help but is not a necessity. At the very least an individual needs to have an understanding of the business you are helping to guide if you want to be effective. This may include anything from being an educator, class volunteer, parent or knowledgeable citizen. I would certainly never turn away support or insight from concerned parties that would enable me to do a better job. While I have several family members who are employed in education, my experiences have been limited to volunteer work with the PTO, presenting art lessons in the classroom, assisting in the classroom and as a room parent.As contract talks come up with various employee groups, what posture should the board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?The board needs to take a position that is consistent with the community and the economic factors that are prevalent at the time. Our current climate will make increases difficult. Just as the community has less personal income, the schools have less income from tax revenues. The result has been trying to maintain or decrease costs wherever possible. All parties involved need to share ownership of the economic factors that we face. I am hesitate to make additional statements because I am serving on the negotiations team and comments can be misinterpreted.If your district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, would you support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits? Why or why not?There are many factors in considering pay increase on new contracts including job performance, time requirement, economy and industry salary comparisons. Padding a pension with undeserved salary raises would not only be a burden on the district with penalty payments, but it would also be an unnecessary strain on the current underfunded pension system. An individual should be rewarded the proper compensation during their years of service and neither promised nor expect unwarranted salary padding to improve pension benefits.