Renee Yackey: Candidate Profile

Back to West Chicago High School District 94 School Board

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: West ChicagoWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: West Chicago High School District 94 School Board Age: 49Family: I live with my husband Mark in West Chicago Il. We have lived here for 18 years. We have 2 children, Katie (21) and Justin (18) both attended and graduated from West Chicago Community HS.Occupation: Physical TherapistEducation: Bachelor of Science in Physical TherapyCivic involvement: School Board Member of West Chicago Community High School 2013-current.Elected 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?My purpose in seeking re-election for the BOE at District 94 is to continue to provide oversight to further drive West Chicago Community High School into 21st century learning. Ways in which this has been provided since I've been on the board are as follows: 1) Instituting a 1:1 program where every student is issued a chrome book from their freshman through their senior year; 2) remodeling our science wing to provide state of the art learning where multiple disciplines can interact and broaden a students learning; 3) becoming a leading school in offerings of AP and dual credit courses; 4) beginning a manufacturing pathway course work. It continues to be vital to drive the education we offer to allow students multiple pathways in order to establish a solid foundation for further educational and vocational opportunities.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?There are many tools in measuring a student's success. How we define that success is critical. This is often best measured when we seek to define success on an individual basis. Growth and proficiency in a particular area should be viewed from where an individual student starts to where that student ultimately ends in a certain given time period. Although standardized test may play a roll, we can often lose sight on individual growth if comparing one student's results against "the norms" if we are not looking at where a individual student started. A standardized test may indicate a student is so called failing, but in reality a student may have had significant growth in any one area. Additionally, comparing one school's ACT/SAT against another does not often provide all the information needed to fully understand growth and achievement about that district. Programs currently in our district such as STAR provide educators with more immediate feedback to evaluate a student's academic growth throughout a particular subject.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?The purpose of the Board of Education should be in setting the vision of direction for the school, based on the needs and make up of the community. Continuing to drive West Chicago Community High into 21st century learning is to provide multiple educational tools and pathways to allow students the opportunity to reach their potential in their four years of high school. It is essential that we make sure we offer programs to help meet the needs of the students from the most vulnerable, to the highest achievers, to all those in between. I continue to support our 1:1 program, our highly successful AVID program, progressing AP and dual credit courses and further driving manufacturing and vocational education.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?The financial constraints being placed on public education in Illinois is quite frankly daunting. Due to the fact that there are many unknowns and constantly changing factors impacting this area, such as pension reform and possible property tax freezes, there are no simple or clear cut answers. It is therefore imperative that we be creative and take a "thinking outside the box" approach, balancing an understanding between the burden that taxes place on property owners and the need to provide quality education to the children of the community. It is Importent that we fight mandates or visions driven by those outside the educational realm where effective education is hindered and financial resources are wasted. We have made strides to reduce some operational costs by taking steps to make us more energy efficient thereby driving down costs. It is my opinion that it is our obligation to the students who walk through our doors to do all we can so if cuts are required our students education is not effected.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?Public education continues to be the most effective means of educating the greatest range of needs for students and continues to show the highest level of graduation rates. Public education is also held the most accountable to specific standards of educational achievement. Further more voucher programs have not shown to decrease educational costs. Tax money that would ordinarily go to public schools now pays for vouchers. The fix costs such as teacher salaries, textbooks, supplies and utilities and maintenance are not reduced. The role of a voucher would only benefit if a school is not meeting the needs of the community. However by having greater local control, through the oversight of an elected community board, the educational needs and concerns of the community can be addressed. In addition, public education provides more,that just a place to educate students. It provides a sense of community. A healthy public school system drives a healthy, vibrant community, by attracting families and businesses to invest in a community. The community has a vested interest in keeping the educational system strong through education, athletics and extra curricular programs.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?Family is importantIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would take more risks and not be afraid to fail. There is great learning and growth in walking outside your comfort zone.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Art. Allowed me to be creative and see things from different perspectivesIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?You are in charge of what you think.