James Ekeberg: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: PalatineWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Palatine District 15 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: 64Family: Married, four grown children, graduates of Dist. 15 211Occupation: Family PhysicianEducation: B.S., M.D.Civic involvement: Board member The Bridge Youth and Family Services Chairman Family Medicine Dept. NW Community Hospital Medical Executive Comm. NW Community Hospital Volunteer Physician Palatine High School Football Volunteer Physician/Consultant High School Dist. 211 Former Master Board Member IL School Brd. Association Those Who Excel Award Winner IL State Brd. of EducationElected offices held: Board Member Comm. Consolidated School Dist. 15 2007-11Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Working with the superintendent to develop a long range plan for the districtKey Issue 2 Develop a long range facilities plan for the district prior to any sale of property, boundry change or change in building use or closureKey Issue 3 Attempt to educate the public regarding the various rolls in public education in the state of Illinois. superintendent board member teacher-student-parent community member state legislatorQuestions Answers In recent years, Dist. 15 has had contentious relationships between the board and teachers, teachers and the administration, and on the board itself. What is the root cause of this, what problems has it caused, and what must be done to improve it?I believe relationships have improved and board members are refocused on providing great public education. It will be very easy to go backwards if we continue to elect board members who have an agenda they wish to put in place without regard for what is best for the district.Should District 15 continue to hold onto the 40 acres in Inverness that was originally intended for a new middle school, or look to sell it?See above #2 campaign issue The district is in need of a long range facilities plan to properly assess what we have, what we will need and how will our current facilities/property help us meet our goals.How do you think District 15 has handled budgetary pressures in recent years? Amid the uncertainties of outside funding sources, are there ways the district could be more in control of its own destiny?The current contract for the teachers is a great step in the right direction and I believe the district, with it's legal counsel, should work to bring it's other labor groups to similar contracts for the future.How would you define the ideal working relationship between a school board and its administrators and teachers? To what degree does your school district represent this relationship now?The primary job of the school board is to hire the superintendent and work with that individual to develop a plan to move the district forward. I believe there are times when the board and the administration are working against each other and not in a collabrative manner.What do you think about the shift to the common core standards? 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?Common core standards are here and we must prepare the district to deliver the best possible education for are community. Curriculum is best handled by the department of instruction with advice from the board.