Kathy Brown: D95 School Board Candidate

Name:   Kathy Brown 

Age:  48 

Family:  Married, 3 children – 2 in high school, 1 in middle school 

Education: BBA Accounting, Loyola University; Law Degree, University of Notre Dame; Masters of Elementary Education, National Louis University

Occupation:  Teacher

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices (please include years of service):        

District 95 Board of Education last 8 years

Other community involvement:

Position sought:   Board Member

Campaign E-mail address:  kleydenbrown@aol.com

1.         Why are you running?

I am running because I would like to remain on the Board as we transition to common core, and as we implement our iPad technology initiative.  I also feel strongly about seeing our social/emotional standards written and implemented.

2.         In what ways would the school district benefit from your service?

My eight years on the Board give me the experience in understanding where the district needs to keep itself financially in order to best provide for our students.  My employment experience as a teacher, accountant and attorney allow me to see how the many facets of the district need to work together in order for us to be successful.

3.         What is the biggest challenge the school district faces and what should be done to address it?

The most significant budgetary issue facing our District is the Illinois pension crisis.  The shifting of the pension burden to local districts could have a significant financial impact on all school districts.  However, because District 95 is in very solid financial shape, no program reductions are anticipated in the near future.  Nor is there a short-term need for any tax increases.  Our community has already contributed greatly to raising our District’s financial stability to the level we now maintain – we should not be asking any more of our community in the near future.

4.         What do you think the district does well?

I think that the District has done an excellent job being fiscally responsible.  Without financial stability, all other educational and facility initiatives have to be scaled back or tabled.  The improvement in our financial stability over the last several years has allowed the District to move forward with technology and facility initiatives that would not otherwise be possible.

5.         What should be some of the school district’s priorities over the next four years?

The District needs to continue its focus on fiscal responsibility, while also looking ahead to provide our students the greatest educational opportunities possible.

6.         What else would you like voters to know?

I would be honored to serve the community for another four years.