Samantha Bray Ader: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Samantha Bray Ader

City: Hoffman Estates

Office sought: CCSD15 Board of Education

Age: 30

Family: Husband (Dan) and daughter (Claire)

Occupation: Director of Operations at Latinos for Education

Education: B.A. Communication and Culture from Indiana University

Civic involvement: Leadership for Educational Equity

Previous elected offices held: First-time candidate

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? No

Website: www.aderandhuntford15.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/aderandhuntford15

Twitter:

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your district and how do you intend to address them?

If elected, I will partner with the board to: 1. Build on the strengths in our academic results and decrease the gaps in academic outcomes. I have dedicated my career to serving in education nonprofits, specifically those dedicated to educational equity, because I believe that a child's race, ethnicity, or income should not limit their educational opportunities. I will leverage the skills, knowledge, and network I have built in the education sector in service of District 15. 2. Develop a clear implementation plan for full-day kindergarten. Benefits include: 1) It increases immediate and long-term achievement for students. 2) It is cost-effective for families. 3) Research shows that for every $1 you invest in early childhood education, the return is $3 so it is ultimately cost-effective for our community. 3. Increase transparency and meaningful community engagement between the board and our community at large. Board members must be more proactive in seeking input from stakeholders before decisions are made. 4. Finalize a boundaries plan that meets our community's needs, maximizes current resources, and efficiently invests in long-term sustainability. While the solution will never be perfect, we must identify one that best serves our community.

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?

Like many of our neighbors, my husband and I chose to live in this community because we believe District 15 schools are best for our family. The district consistently performs well academically and there are many strengths we can continue building upon. We also know there is still more we can do to ensure all students are prepared to tackle the future challenges of our world. The district must continue pursuing research-based best practices in pedagogy and school and district culture to ensure our schools are dynamic and innovative long-term.

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? Be specific.

Changing school boundaries, the need for a full-day Kindergarten option, the funding formula at the state level, and the need for capital improvements are just a few variables to impact the district's budget in the coming years. The board must consult with all stakeholders, including families with and without children in the district and district staff to build a budget that is fiscally responsible, equitable, and sustainable in the long-term. Illinois has the highest reliance on property taxes to fund K-12 education of all 50 states in the U.S. This is not sustainable for our schools or taxpayers. The board must stay informed of any changes to state-level policy and our broader community should continue putting pressure on state leaders to take responsible steps toward a sustainable funding model.

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?

No, I am not employed by a school district nor do I have any family members currently employed by District 15.

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?

The goal of any decision the board makes should be based on what is best for our children. Research has shown time and time again that a well-trained, supported, and developed staff has a significant impact on educational outcomes for our children. According to RAND Corporation, teachers matter more to student achievement than any other aspect of schooling. The board should lead contract negotiations with the values of partnership and transparency to ensure a healthy dialogue between the board, staff, and community members. We must make decisions that are financially sustainable for the district AND demonstrate our commitment to attracting and retaining excellent staff.

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?

No, I would not support this. It is not a sustainable practice for the district nor should it be necessary if we compensate administration appropriately.