Tom Doyle: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Tom Doyle

City: Winfield

Office sought: West Chicago Elementary School District 33

Age: 45

Family: My wife, Kristy, and I and I have four children. Two of them are in middle school and two are in elementary school.

Occupation: Director of English Language Services in CCSD93.

Education: I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Education and a Master of Education degree in Educational Leadership, both from DePaul University.

Civic involvement: Football coach for the West Chicago Wildcats Youth Football Organization, baseball and basketball coach for the Winfield in Action and Winfield Park District programs, baseball coach for the Winfield Wildcats Travel Baseball program.

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? No

Website: None

Facebook: None

Twitter: None

Issue questions

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

All students need to be provided equitable opportunities to be successful and engaged in their learning. I hope to work with administrators and school staff members to lead the way for understanding cultural competence for all students and ensure they are provided individualized opportunities.

* 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 am satisfied with the commitment the district has made over the past few years to incorporate 21st century skills as part of the curriculum but there is a lot more work to be done. D33 has the interest and resources to be a pioneer in STEM and student leadership. The district leaders need to continue to seek professional development and to provide professional development to all staff members. D33 should be on the forefront of curriculum development to support students as innovators and in closing academic achievement gaps.

* 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.

Our district should be discussing a plan to work with taxpayers and taxpayer dollars if educator pension plans change in the state of Illinois. I plan to be an informed member of the Board of Education to support and/or drive a plan that is equitable and fair for employees and taxpayers. I support responsible tax dollar investment with plans to use tax dollars for providing the resources, personnel, and infrastructure for every student to have an equitable opportunity to be successful after graduation.

* 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 currently employed by CCSD93. Community Consolidated District 93 services students in Bloomingdale, Carol Stream and Hanover Park, in grades Pre-K-8. I have worked as a teacher, paraprofessional, assistant principal, principal and district administrator in CCSD93.

* 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 have been and a participant in bargaining teams for multiple teacher contracts which include "traditional bargaining" and "interest based bargaining". Increases in pay and benefits are very important for a district to support the staff members who lead the development of future leaders. Our district needs to be fair and competitive in order to do so. The bargaining teams should be well informed through research and comparison but sensibly rational.

* 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?

Pay and pension benefits should be equitable for all staff members. Pay structures are not necessarily equal, nor should be, but they should be fair and equitable. Different responsibilities and qualifications should come with different stipulations. An increase to boost a pension benefit for teachers, administrators, or superintendents should be negotiated fairly and responsibly.