Patrick Browne: 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: MundeleinWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Mundelein High School District 120 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: 47Family: Married and just celebrated twenty-fifth wedding anniversary.Occupation: Elementary School PrincipalEducation: Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Economics, St. Norbert College, 1987 Masters Degree in Education, John Carroll University, 1989Civic involvement: PADS Homeless Shelter volunteer. Former member of the Lake Forest Lake Bluff Rotary.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: I have never been arrested or convicted of a crime.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Providing an excellent academic education for all students in Mundelein.Key Issue 2 Building an appreciation for the high school in our community and enhancing its already strong reputation.Key Issue 3 Maintaining a well run school where fiscal concerns do not impinge upon the effective operation of the school or its programs.Questions Answers 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?As a school principal, I am well versed in the shift to the Common Core Standards. These standards are well designed and provide a strong framework for all schools. The standards, if properly implemented, will prepare students for college upon graduation. One of the Board's goals is to work collaboratively with the Superintendent and to stay abreast of the curricular changes taking place in the school. I feel Mundelein High School has the programs in place to provide a strong education for all students who are willing to commit themselves to the rigors of academic excellence.How satisfied are you that your district is preparing students for the next stage in their lives, whether it be from elementary into high school or high school into college or full-time employment? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?As a resident of Mundelein, I am pleased with the efforts the high school is making on behalf of its students. Students who are engaged in the educative process and take advantage of the many programs available to students of all levels have every opportunity to succeed. As an individual with high standards, I am interested in increasing the number of students who are taking Advanced Placement classes and I am equally concerned with how well the students who have learning challenges are being helped.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 increases?As an individual who has worked in schools for the past twenty-five years, I am acutely aware that schools must be financially responsible in the disbursement of the money which is entrusted to them by the community. School Board members represent the community and must speak on their behalf. There is a balance between tax revenue and expenditures which must be maintained so the school does not have to cut programs. Tax increases are never popular and if at all possible, I would avoid raising taxes because I understand the financial challenges many families face to meet their household budgets.As contract talks come up with various school employee groups, do you believe the district should ask for concessions from its employees, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?Teachers work extremely hard to provide opportunities for their students. Their commitment is admirable and they should be held in high esteem by both their students and the members of the community. A fair day's work should be compensated justly. As inflation erodes the purchasing power of teachers, the Board should work to provide them with increases which help them meet their financial commitments.If your district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, would you support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits? Why or why not?The superintendent has an extremely demanding position. As the leader, he or she is required to meet myriad demands and work extremely long hours. However, increasing a leader's compensation as they near retirement would only be just if they had not been compensated annually for their commitment.