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Lynn Casey-Maher: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Lynn Casey-Maher

City: West Chicago

Office sought: Community High School D94 School Board

Age: 60

Family: Three adult children. All attended CHSD94. My husband was a Chemistry teacher at CHSD94. He passed away in 2012.

Occupation: Nurse Anesthetist

Education: Master of Science in Nursing

Civic involvement: I am a Precinct Committeeman and have campaigned for multiple candidates. I have held and attended forums that are issue based and candidate based.

Previous elected offices held: Precinct Committeeman.

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected?

Website: None

Facebook: Lynn4D94

Twitter: None

ISSUE QUESTIONS

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

As evidenced by the recent contract negotiations, I feel there is a lack of trust between the school board and the teachers, union, and support staff. My goal is to build bridges between the school board the district and importantly the community. Effective communication is key to developing trust and a sense of belonging.

* 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?

I think this is an area that needs to be addressed. Our reading and math scores are below that of the state. I will support the school in developing measurable goals that will provide help for students not at grade level. Again, communication is key, and working together with our elementary and junior high schools can help identify areas of improvement. I also support educational opportunities for all students whether they are college bound (AP and dual credit courses) or work bound (partnering with COD on trade classes and encouraging participation in the Technology Center of DuPage).

* 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.

As I campaigned for various candidates the biggest concern I heard from voters is the continually increasing property taxes. I am looking forward to working with the school board in making common sense decisions on how our dollars are spent. In 2017 the No Tax Referendum passed and the biggest budgetary concern right now is assuring that the proposed projects are completed in a financially secure and timely manner.

* 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 and neither is any of my family.

* 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?

I think each contract negotiation should be evaluated on its own. I cannot see the future, so to commit to one of those three options is unrealistic. But, I will say I believe that teachers are our most valuable assets and it is important for the school board to have open and continuing communications with them. I would like to see Community High School District 94 become the place where every teacher wants to teach.

* 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.

I do not agree with the practice of increasing pay to boost pension benefits. Budgeting money to inflate salaries as a prep for retirement takes away from those teachers that will remain in the classroom. Additionally, the Illinois Teachers Retirement System has in place an automatic annual increase that is currently set at 3%, ample enough to keep up with inflation that has hovered around 2% in recent years. It is creating an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.

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