Kip Evans: 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: GrayslakeWebsite: http://www.KipSchoolBoard.comOffice sought: Grayslake Elementary D46Age: 63Family: Married 40 yearsOccupation: Retired Teacher Part Time FarmerEducation: Black Hills State University BS- Elementary Secondary Education Roosevelt University Master in Supervision AdministrationCivic involvement: Treasurer of Camp Delton Campgrounds Lake Delton WI Hope Presbyterian Church -Volunteer YardworkAvon Township Food Bank -Fresh Vegetable DonationElected offices held: N/AHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 If elected, my first priority will be to help implement the necessary policies to ensure the school board is held accountable to the taxpayers for decisions made surrounding the current 48 million dollar school budget.All decisions made by the school board, superintendent and school administrators must be in sync with the directives of the community.Key Issue 2 Over the past few months much of the district's business has been brought to light in the Daily Herald and other papers. The in-depth reporting provided proved that it is time for District 46 to adopt a transparency policy, that allows all decisions made to be open to public scrutiny.Key Issue 3 I believe that all school related issues come down to one simple ethical question, what is best for the children? The only way to answer the question is to balance the needs of today, with the long term goals of tomorrow. The decisions made today must be sound and they must be inclusive of the needs of all stakeholders, students, teachers, and taxpayers. If elected I will work to ensure that decisions made represent input from all stakeholders and not a select few.Questions Answers How should the district approach the next teachers union contract talks? Would you be willing to pursue salary cuts or freezes? Explain your answer.The contract needs to be completely open and transparent to all parties. The board and union must set goals to reduce the entire budget so that further requests for more money from the taxpayers can be avoided, while at the same time recognizing that I want to avoid increasing class sizes and losing teachers. I do not like the idea of cutting salaries or freezes, but everything needs to be reviewed. In theseeconomic times, we must be accountable to the taxpayers.Transparency has been an issue at District 46. How do you believe the district is doing with conducting the public#146;s business? Any suggestions for improvements?District 46 lacks a board approved transparency policy, which should be administered by personnel within the district who will implement the policy and provide updates to the school board. This year the board budgeted $50,000.00 for organizations but did not indicate whichorganizations, lobbying groups or associations were approved or the amount of the dues or fees allocated to each organization In the end, the school board should be responsible for making all district issues transparentHow do you view the relationship with South Carolina-based consultant Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Inc., which has given awards the district has promoted and hosted conventions that staffers have attended in warm-weather locations in December?It is always important to do internal review and improveeducational programs against national and local standards, but I question the thousands of dollars that this district authorizes in memberships to the South Carolina Blue Ribbon Program and the district money given out to reward staff members with trips to a warm climates, like Myrtle Beach and Disney World.What steps, if any, should the district take in response to an audit late last year that found the need for tighter controls on student activity funds?The superintendent business manager must be held accountable for all accounts and appropriations of district funds. The administration is responsible for reviewing the budget and should bring any errors to the schoolboard#146;s attention before an audit. The school board should have set a policy in place to minimize such an error.Do you think the names of individuals who are the subject of personnel action in an open meeting should appear on the agenda for the meeting? Why or why not? Currently the district omits the names of such individuals.When the board votes in an open meeting to hire a staff member, that person's name should appear on the meeting agenda. The names of personnel discussed in closed sessions should be kept private.