Marc Grote: 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: LibertyvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Libertyville District 70 School Board Age: 41Family: My wife, Ann Marie GroteOccupation: BankerEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: 1) Board Member David Adler Music and Arts Center2) Committe Co-Chairperson with MainStreet LibertyvilleElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions 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 care about our school community. I have a strong desire to participate in a meaningful way and I feel I can make valuable contributions. I grew up here and I am lucky enough to work right here in town. My profession as a banker and my volunteering with various non-profit organizations makes me feel intertwined with our community. I realize that everything is interconnected. This is a great place for a home and I know that our fantastic schools provide a strong foundation for all that is good in town. I want to utilize my skillets to provide thoughtful oversight and approval to topics germane to the Board of Education.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?The process is logical and it makes sense. There is proof that it works. The District reaches beyond the metrics gathered by PARCC, STAR, Fountas and Pinnell assessments. There is a focus on the whole student and their individual growth achieved through out the school year. I feel that it works because the District attracts and retains a high caliber of Educator that is able to provide reoccurring meaningful assessments rather than relying on a single snapshot of a standardized test. There is process in place to ensure that all students are succeeding and not just merely meeting a statistic that indicates they achieve at a State/ National level. I do believe it is adequate. However, fine-tuning and subtle enhancements are always a positive. I would propose that I possess the qualities to monitor the existing process in place.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?Our current Board has the proper level of involvement. I support a position that provides supervision and approval of any curriculum presented to keep us in compliance to the New Illinois Learning Standards. I feel obligated to be insatiably curious about the quality and content of any curriculum being proposed. Then and only then vote on what is being purchased.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?I feel outside forces may be more difficult for us in the future. State Funding, Pension Reform and the cost of curriculum materials all need to be artfully navigated. I suspect that specific to our school community we will need to effectively mange the cost of old aging buildings. I think cutting programs is unnecessary and feel that the volume of extracurricular offerings are a very positive differentiator of our community. In place of tax and fee increases I do support the expansion of local business partnerships and the exploration of corporate sponsorships. Further, I think exploring the concept of an Education Foundation would be time well spent.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?Having choices and options is positive. All students learn differently and being able to choose a learning environment is a good thing. Please know though, that these choices come with a cost. I do not feel that cost should be at the expense of taking taxpayer dollars to fund Charters. Find the money at the national level to fund private schools. I feel a voucher system would undermine our school community by diverting state funding away from our District. It would be a detriment to what has been created here and maintained by previous caretakers of this high achieving school community.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I learned compassion and consideration for others. My parents provided a great example.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Life presents the tests prior to offering the lessons. This would be like asking for the answers beforehand, it just does not work like that.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Science. It provides perspective and it is scalable.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?The choice to be happy with themselves and in life. I believe that path would lead a child on a curious adventure to becoming well-balanced.