David A. Northern, Sr.: 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: Round LakeWebsite: www.davidnorthernd46.comOffice sought: Grayslake District 46 School Board Age: 41Family: Crystal B. Northern (Wife) Dasanie A. Northern David A. Northern, Jr.Occupation: Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Lake County Housing AuthorityEducation: -BS Accounting, Ball State University, 1997 -MS Public Affairs, Indiana University -Graduate Certificate in Public Management, Indiana University -Institute for Innovative Leadership, Certificate in -Leadership Development, Indiana University -Achieving Excellence in Community Development, Harvard University/NeighborWorks America, Current 2014-2016Civic involvement: -Grayslake Park District, Coach: Flag football, Basketball -Grayslake Colts, Coach: Football -Upward Basketball, Referee -Youth Build Lake County, Board member -Park Campus PTO, Treasurer -Executive Committee of the Coalition to Reduce RecidivismElected offices held: NoneQuestions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately 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?In an ever changing global market, we have to constantly access what we are doing to prepare our children for the next phase of life. There are essential tools with which they need to be equipped for success. I am pleased that our district has dedicated teachers, administrative staff, and an immensely supportive community. Their dedication has translated consistently to exceptional test scores. Be that as it may, there is always work to be done to maintain competitive edge. We must now comply with Common Core standards that are more rigorous along with STEM education. The changes in curriculum associated with Common Core and STEM education serve as a new foundation from which to build stronger students. As both a parent with children currently in D46 and Treasurer of Park Campus PTO, I see the need for improved parent involvement, revisiting student-teacher ratios, and bolstered teacher and district employee morale. New teacher evaluations will be conducted in 2016, and while they are the cause of some fear and unrest, their goal is to ensure student growth, which is of the utmost importance. Focus cannot rest solely on academia, though, as studies have proven that students excel most where standards are set high by parental and educators. Increased involvement in the educational experience of each student will serve as a springboard to new levels of success amongst our children.What budgetary issues will your district have to confront during the next four years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, be specific about programs and expenses that should be considered for reduction or elimination. On the income side, do you support any tax increases for local schools? Again, be specific.There certainly will be fiscal challenges for our district in the near future. Our current 3-year contract with both unions will expire with the concerns of both groups needing to be addressed. Senate Bill 16 (SB16), which has already been approved in the Senate, will have a negative impact on funding for our district if approved by the whole House. That is an almost certain yearly deficit of $419,666. Additionally, we have current financial issues in the areas of food service, student transportation, and infrastructure such as air-conditioning in certain buildings, roofing, and paving that must be addressed and will carry over into the next four years. The district worked hard to secure grants with external groups that will help build sidewalks and decrease the number of busses needed in coming years. With so many external issues the will affect our budget at this time I am not in favor of tax increases, however we will have to address that issues once those external factors are determined.Should air conditioning be pursued for the schools without it? Please explain why or why not.I am certainly in favor of air conditioning schools that are lacking it, as we have students, teachers, and support staff who may have allergy and/or breathing issues. Our students, teachers, and support staff are negatively impacted by any extreme temperature fluctuation - hot or cold. Schools without the proper cooling are at a disadvantage as it absolutely affects the learning process. What makes one school more deserving than the next? All schools in our District are deserving of a comfortable environment conducive to learning.As contract talks come up with various school employee groups -- teachers, support staff, etc. -- what posture should the school board take? 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?We are fortunate in that the educators in our District provide a great service to our children. There is tremendous effort going forth in D46 classrooms every day to ensure the academic success of each child. We must recognize both teachers and staff as service providers who consistently go above and beyond, while maintaining fiscal responsibility to the District. Recent events encapsulate the great need for communication amongst the school board and district employees. The recent strike has had a noticeable effect on teacher morale, evident in the overall outlook, satisfaction, and confidence amongst the educators. As a member of the School Board, I will be a proponent of negotiating with the best interest of both sides under consideration. Communication is the key. Board members should keep their fingers on the pulse of the District's schools through regular dialogue with teachers, staff, parents, and students. These discussions will allow us as Board Members to take under careful consideration what is requested and needed both in and outside of the classroom to positively and realistically impact student learning within the confines of budgetary constraints. Communication will also serve as the foundation for increased morale, job satisfaction, motivation, and thus, student success in D46.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 not employed by the school district however, my wife is a current substitute teacher in the district.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Other important issues to me along with setting priorities related to the strategic plan as a candidate are listed below in alphabetical order: Fiscal Responsibility - Choices we make today will impact decisions we are faced with in the future. In order to remain a progressive and fiscally solvent District, we must improve our financial position and maintain balanced books. How? We must aggressively explore non-traditional funding sources such as athletic sponsorships, rental of underutilized school spaces, and continued community partnering. We must make sure that all funds are being properly utilized and dispersed where the necessity resides, while also creating other resources so that no one area experiences lack. Food Service - While we all recognize that nutrition plays a significant role in student achievement, I do not believe it should be at the expense of taste. I propose we actively seek the input of students, staff, and parents in our next selection for a food service provider. There is absolutely a way to reconcile healthy eating with pleasure eating, it is simply a matter of communication and exploring our options. Full Day Kindergarten - Evidence shows full day kindergarten improves the overall educational experience of our children. I feel that as budgetary constraints lessen, this program should be a District priority. Intentional Community Engagement - While the move toward family-friendly schools is being embraced in individual schools, creating an intentionally inviting school culture should be a District wide focus.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Shaun Donovan - Director of the Office of Management and Budget and former United States Secretary of HUD, serving from 2009 to 2014.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My greatest lesson was to take responsibility for my actions -that my success or failure, my happiness or lack thereof, rested solely in my hands.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?While I did well and stayed focused in school, if I could do it all over again, I would have given more effort.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was math. It enabled me to achieve an accounting degree with which I now successfully run a $34 million government agency.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Enjoy school and embrace every learning opportunity.