Cody Holt: 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: ElginWebsite: facebook.com/votecodyholtTwitter: @votecodyholtFacebook: www.facebook.com/votecodyholtOffice sought: Elgin-Area Unit 46 School Board Age: 25Family: I have lived in Elgin for my entire life and am a 2010 graduate of Larkin High School. My father, brother and all of my uncles are U-46 Alumni. My Grandparents also live in Elgin. My grandmother is a small business owner and my grandfather is a retired Elgin Police Officer. My family has deep roots in our community and I consider it a privilege to represent the community on the U-46 Board of Education.Occupation: Consultant with experience in risk management and insuranceEducation: Product of U-46, graduating from Larkin High School in 2010. Some college experience at Elgin Community College.Civic involvement: -2014 and 2015 STEM Science Fair Judge-Former Board Member for Elgin OCTAVE -Former Elgin Township Republican Treasurer and Secretary-Current Elgin Township Republican Committeeman-U-46 School Board MemberElected offices held: Member of the U-46 Board of EducationQuestions Answers With ongoing state funding challenges, suggest ways the district can remain in the black without spending down its surplus, raising taxes or taking on additional debt. If cuts were needed, where would you look to tighten?The major issue that local governments across Illinois are facing is the growing cost of government and constituents that are tired of ever increasing property taxes. Since I have been on the board, I have opposed two tax increases, two unfair budgets, helped stop a $50 million dollar bond issuance, advocated for sustainable contracts, and lobbied state legislators for pro-taxpayer reforms. Unfortunately, the best way to create long term flexibility within our budget is out of the control of the Board of Education. The State of Illinois needs to pass pro-taxpayer reforms by eliminating prevailing wage, reforming collective bargaining and reforming workers compensation. The savings from these reforms alone could put more money back into the classroom to help students and provide relief to the taxpayers by limiting the growing cost of government. With that being said, there are still ways to create savings within our current budget. Before any expenditure we must decide whether that expense is necessary or if it is a want. A notable example of a program that was a high priced "want" was Full Day Kindergarten. During a time of financial uncertainty, before the state passed a K-12 budget, the district proposed expanding operations to include Full Day Kindergarten. Not only was it irresponsible to vastly expand operations during a time of financial uncertainty, but our district's own internal data revealed that FDK did not improve the academic results for students when compared to those who went through half-day kindergarten.Recent controversy over transgender access has prompted discussion about equal rights/protections for all students, as well as whether school board members should inject their personal religious/political views on the matter. To what extent should the board have a role in formulating such policy?This is an important debate that we are having in U-46 with regards to access to facilities and student privacy. There are ways that we, as a district, can protect the privacy of all students and still be compassionate for individual students unique circumstances. I favor common sense student privacy guidelines which allow students to use the facilities of their biological sex, while providing access to alternative facilities to students who are confused. This is the best way to ensure privacy and compassion for all students.What was deeply concerning to me was the fact the majority on the board changed the procedure for public comment after people came out and spoke for over 10 hours on the subject. Especially since the overwhelming majority of those who came out to speak were against the decision the district made. This can only be seen as an infringement on transparency and accessibility. It is my understanding that our district was following the Obama Administration's interpretation of Title IX and the "Dear Colleague Letter" which threatened to pull federal funding if our district did not meet the Obama Administrations radical interpretation of the law. With a new administration in the White House, and a change at the Department of Education, I am optimistic that the threat made in the "Dear Colleague Letter" will not be enforced if we choose to implement student privacy guidelines.Would you support U-46 having a charter school within its boundaries? Why or why not?I would be supportive of having multiple charter schools within the boundaries of School District U-46. We must be open to providing alternatives to families across our district and embrace school choice. Allowing charters to operate independently with oversight from the Board of Education will lead to innovation and healthy competition. This relationship can be mutually beneficial. Meaning that the charter school could learn from the successes of our traditional public schools and we could learn from the successes of the charter school. Thus improving the education process for all students.Naturally, since I am supportive of charter schools, I would favor partnering with prospective charter school design teams to help them be successful and make sure that they will meet the needs of all students who are enrolled. Providing parents with options is important. There are parents in the school district who have children that are relegated to schools that are not meeting their expectations. Yet their children are forced to attend those very schools because of a multitude of reasons. By giving parents an option to send their child to a charter school you empower parents and give the student a chance to succeed.We owe it to students, parents and taxpayers to spur innovation and charter schools will be a great way to do so.What are some innovative programs the district could undertake, such as special academies or career path programs, to set itself apart?We have has many great programs already in U-46 that have set us apart from other school districts. The main program which has brought great academic value is our High School Academies. The main objective of education is to prepare students for their post secondary life. Whether that is college, trade school, entering the work force, entering the military, starting their own business or achieving a professional certification. We want them to be well rounded and ready to work towards their aspirations. I would favor asking administration to find a way to help streamline a students career in U-46 to make it more oriented towards preparing them for the post U-46 life. What this means is identifying early on what the child has an interest in and having a path through U-46 that will make them the best prepared for life after graduation.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?We are entering a very unique and exciting time for education in our nation. The Senate just confirmed Betsy DeVos to be the Education Secretary. This is the first time ever that there is a real possibility that Congress will work with the President towards meaningful education reform. Because we are entering a time in America which is unique for education, I am not sure how it will affect our school district. We have experienced staff that will help guide us through what is to come.I have made it no secret during my 2 years as a school board member that I support school choice. We owe it to the parents and students to increase the educational options available to them. We owe it to taxpayers to make sure that the money spent follows the child instead of bureaucracy. Currently in our school district we offer semi-school choice programs through our academies. These programs have been very successful and I would support finding more ways to create school choice opportunities that will benefit students.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?When I was in sales the old saying was, "The customers perception is our reality". The reality is that we do have an image problem and there are real issues that we must address to solve it. I believe most stakeholders want a district that continually meets their expectations. As a board we should strive to hold administrators accountable for the results or lack thereof. We should also support school choice initiatives to spur innovation and empower parents.Parents want their district to be responsive to their concerns and their schools to be managed efficiently. We as a board should encourage a customer service oriented culture. Taxpayers do not want to see the property tax bills increase every year. The board should not only be mindful of this but should identify what our district "needs" vs what administrators or board members "want". We as a board should not only ask the state for increased aid, but realize that they have been unreliable in the past for funding our district. Since this is the case we should ask the State to reform workers comp, collective bargaining and eliminate prevailing wage and freeze property taxes. Students want to attend schools that value their long term aspirations and prepare them to work towards achieving their goals. They also want a safe school environment that values their privacy. Teachers want to be educators not facilitators. They want more freedom inside the classroom, not more mandates from the Federal and State Governments or their union.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Governor Scott WalkerWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?That you should always work hard and respect your elders.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend more of my spare time fishing with my grandfather.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Civics was my favorite subject. It helped me become an engaged and active citizen that is now an elected official.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I would tell them that you miss one hundred percent of the shots you don't take.