Donna Redmer: 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: DundeeWebsite: donna4ecc.org (under construction)Office sought: Elgin Community College School Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Husband - Jack Children - Julie, David, Lora, Paul, Doug (deceased) Step daughter - Wendy 16 grandchildrenOccupation: Retired EducatorEducation: Doctorate - Vanderbilt Masters Bachelors - NIU Associate - Elgin Community CollegeCivic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers With enrollment up at my many community colleges, it can be challenging to keep pace as far as available classroom/lab space, the number of qualified teachers and available course work options. How would you manage that?Currently community college enrollment is down slightly. However, Elgin Community College has a record of meeting all growth needs as exemplified by the large increase of students during the recent recession. At this time, to make sure all student needs are met, classes ar offered on-line, late nights and weekends.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?I am retired from Unit School District 300 as of 2000. No relative of mine is employed at Elgin Community College, where I am seeking a seat on the board.Is a tax rate increase needed and, if so, how do you justify it?I do not see any need for a tax increase. The college has always maintained a balanced budget, has moved to "0" based budgeting and has an excellent AAA bond rating. All audits have been "clean". In addition, robust internal audits are conducted on all departments and Auxilary Enterprises. The college budget is available on line for community viewing.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?Elgin Community College serves all identified diverse populations and offers diversity training to all staff, faculty and administrators (board member too). The college is reaching out and welcoming large numbers of diverse students by identifying them while still in high school. This popululation will continue to grow and so will the college response. Achieving the Dream, the Alliance for College Readiness and the Transition Academy are three great examples. Elgin Community College is leading the way in equity, diversity and inclusion efforts. This has been recognized at state and national levels. ECC received the top state award in 2014 for Equity, Diversity Inclusion presented by the Illinois Community College Trustee Association (ICCTA). In addition, ECC was the first among 12 central states to be recognized in October, 2014 by the National Association of Community College Trustee (ACCT) for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion advocacy. Further, I have recently been appointed to the ACCT National Diversity Committee beginning in February 2015.What do you think of President Obama's proposal for offering two years of free community college education?A free two year community college education would be fantastic! I am interested in how it would be funded and what would be covered. For example, what about books, transportation and child care? These are real requirements many community college student have in order to succeed, stay in school and complete their programs. Will Pell Grants continue to be offered to those students currently receiving these funds? Will the state of Illinois be ready and able to fund the 25% required by this proposal?What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Four issues come to mine: a. Low taxes, low tuition and a balanced budget. Maintaining the AAA bond rating. b. Increase the number and lower the age of high school students eligible to enroll in college credit classes (dual enrollment). This would save a student time and money and accelerate their college completion goals. c. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering Math) integration need to be supported and encouraged across all fields and pathways. Industry and the workplace need employees educated at a higher skill level then ever before. Fortunately, ECC has the facilities and the instructional staff to achieve great things in this area. d. Workforce Development is needed in response to the needs and requirements reported by local business and manufacturing. A strong workforce is the main contributer to a strong economy. ECC is issuing more certificates of completion than ever before. These earned certificates mean that these students are ready for the workplace with good earning potential.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My inspiration comes from my father. He only lived to age 42 but he modeled honesty, fairness, humility and integity every day.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Earn the respect of your fellow man through exhibiting integrity, honesty and humility. Work hard and pull your own weight, help others achieve their goals.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Start college following high school rather waiting until my children were secure in their schooling.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math was my favorite subject. It teaches you to think, to solve problems and to search for more than one way to find an answer.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never stop learning. Life is so much fuller when you are open to meeting interesting new people, new challenges and adventures. Travel the world.