David Secrest: 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: Crystal LakeWebsite: N/ATwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Crystal Lake High School District 155 School Board Age: 71Family: Married 43+ yrs; 5 grown children-4 Daughters 1 son 4 of whom are married; 6 grandchildren with one on the way. Children and grandchildren attend Crystal Lake public schools, including high school.Occupation: Health Pension Benefits Management. Now retiredEducation: B.S. in EducationM.S. in Educational AdministrationCivic involvement: YMCA Board Member for 6 yrsHigh School Booster Club for Crystal Lake Central and Prairie Ridge for 10 yrs 6 of which I was President.16 yrs on Community High SchoolDistrict #155 school BoardElected offices held: YMCA Board MemberCommunity High School District #155 School BoardQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?I'm running for re-election for the same reason that I initially ran-I want to be involved and, especially now with my experience, I feel I have a lot to contribute. I have become passionate about District #155 schools and our students and teachers. Quality schools are vital in keeping a community healthy. District #155, like many school districts today, is facing declining enrollment and precarious funding, which are bringing many critical challenges that will benefit from my experience and knowledge on the Board.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?We are and will continue to be a very successful district as it relates to student achievement-98% graduation rate; 95% attendance; 23.1 average on the ACT for the class of 2016; 84.9% of teachers with a Master's degree or above. But these are just statistics. The real measure of success is the extra support afforded those students who need it through "guided study halls" with teachers in the disciplines of english, math and science providing that support; English Language Academy for students from all four of our high schools who need support in learning and mastering the english language; and the numerous Special Education classes and teachers for our students with special needs. As a Board member I have pushed and advocated to assure that all segments of the student population receive the necessary support to meet their needs and to maximize their high school experience.How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?The Board does not have the expertise and cannot and should not try to micro manage curriculum or the District's daily operation. The Board's role is to set direction and goals as it relates to curriculum. The world is rapidly changing and so is the field of education. To keep up with today's students demands we have integrated into the D155 curriculum courses like Project-Lead-The-Way (a pre engineering set of courses); Chinese; and the Business Incubator program where students develop a product or service from conception to fruition. We have the 1-1 initiative that will provide each student with a ChromBook. The classroom and education today is not confined to the four walls of the classroom. Students are allowed and encouraged to participate, explore and excel in today's fast changing world that they will live in.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?Our District, like many districts, is experiencing declining enrollment resulting in reduced state financial support. Also, with the State's inaction on a budget and pension funding, the future of funding is unclear. Further, citizens are at their limit when it come to taxes, particularly property tax which, for many, myself included, is not the best way to pay for schools.Over the past five years the District's budgets have been reduced by between 5-17% depending on specific programs. We have maintained a flat levy for tax year 2015, resulting in a reduction in the overall tax burden for 2016-17 and 2017-18 and rebated to the tax payer $2.5 million In FY12, $2 million in FY13 and $2 million in FY14 for a total rebate of $6.5 million. As a tax payer I, too, am very mindful of the District's obligation to be responsible in managing tax payer dollars while still providing the best possible education to our students.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?"School Choice" as a phrase and even a concept may, on its face, seem like a good idea. However, I think one would have to understand how it would work and, particularly, how it would be funded. There is only so much money to fund education and I would be concerned that if you get too many schools in a geographic area that would dilute that funding. Quality versus profits for private schools would also be a concern that would need to be addressed and regulated to assure that educating and providing for all of the students is a primary goal and that students would not be excluded or left out. Currently, in the D155 area there are a number of parochial schools that provide some alternative to public schools. Personally, I am very much an advocate for quality public education that provides for all students. That said there needs to be equity in funding statewide.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Being a School Board member is a balancing act that requires that one has experience and knowledge in many areas. You must weigh the needs and demands of the District, the Teachers, the Public, and and those advocating for special interest projects and, most of all, the students, against costs and funding. There is the School Code and laws, procedures and student safety and well being that are also a top priority. As a Board member you must consider all of these factors and give them the appropriate priority to provide the best possible education in a safe environment that is affordable. Decisions are not always popular but must be made because they are, based on ones knowledge and experience, the right thing to do. I believe that my knowledge and past years of experience make me unique qualifies me to be re-elected.Currently, there are three relatively new members on the Board with less then two years experience and there will be at least two more new members elected this election to serve on a Board of seven. I believe that my voice of experience, knowledge and reason is needed.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis, a man of integrity whose not afraid to do what he believes, despite his critics.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be honest to yourself and maintain your integrityIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have followed my initial path into teachingWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History--its given me perspectiveIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Don't live life with regretsFalse180270David Secrest, running for <a href="/news/politics/election/race/Crystal-Lake-High-School-District-155-School-Board/">Crystal Lake High School District 155 School Board</a> False