Robert Lush: Candidate profile
Bio
Name: Robert Lush
City: Marengo
Office sought: McHenry County College board of trustees
Age: 38
Family: Wife and three children
Occupation: Teacher
Education: MA Education
Civic involvement: As a teacher I participate in many school functions. I also have helped in various ways with the nonprofit organization United at Peace.
Previous elected offices held: N/A
Incumbent: If yes, when were first elected? N/A
Website: robertlushformcc.com/
Facebook: facebook.com/robertlushforMCC
Twitter: N/A
Issue questions
Describe your vision for the primary role of a community college.
My vision of McHenry County College is to be a vibrant educational institution for the communities of McHenry County, addressing many of their postsecondary educational needs.
How well is your community college fulfilling that role? What changes, if any, need to be made?
I believe McHenry County College is doing an adequate job. MCC should continue to take steps in order to bolster its presence in the community and investigate other avenues to prepare and train the workforce of McHenry County.
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 currently employed as a teacher at Harvard High School in CUSD50. My wife is employed as a music instructor at McHenry County College.
Is a tax rate increase needed and, if so, how do you justify it?
Any discussion of a tax increase needs to be in the context of MCC's broader funding formula. I believe MCC should explore many funding sources, including whether it might be necessary to adjust the levy in accordance with the Consumer Price Index. MCC has kept the levy flat since 2012, and the CPI has risen considerably since then, effectively lowering MCC's tax revenue.
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?
At this time I think that it is doing a good job servicing the diverse population of McHenry County. However, MCC should always be active in looking for areas where it could improve, such as returning students and expanded workforce development.