Election 2011: District 159 Board of Education Candidate Patrick Markham

What are your ideas for raising student achievement and test scores?

There needs to be a restructuring of the organization or change from the board down. The community should vote in the board, the board should hire the teachers, and the teachers shouldn’t be micromanaged. They should be challenged to be free and creative, and they should be encouraged to help our students compete at the county, state, national and global level. But I believe there needs to be a cultural change that would allow he administration to focus on goals and not micromanage.

If the state were to allow for consolidation, should district 159 consider it? Why or why not?

I believe that it’s not likely to happen. I may be wrong. If it were to happen, we’d prefer the community to maintain control over our schools and education. But I don’t think it’s a reality.

What will be your first priority if you are elected and the referendum passes?

My first priority would be to reinstate the children’s programs. The second priority will be to make sure we are not in that position again anytime soon. We must be judicious with how we apply our money.

What will be your first priority if the referendum doesn’t pass?

I would try to ensure more money goes to the quality of the children’s education and not to salaries and perks.I’d go through the budget line-item by line-item and prioritize the kids’ educational experience.

When it comes to budget cuts, what should be off-limits?

The children. In the private industry, the quality of the product should never be touched, and in this case, the product happens to be the full educational experience for the children.

What are your ideas for reducing the district’s $2.7 million deficit?

I’d like to ask for pay freezes for all salaries and voluntary pay cuts by administrators. I’d also review all budgeted contractes for a reduction in price. We should rethink the policy on health insurance for administrators.