District 102 School Board Candidate: Scott Linn

Name: Scott Linn

Age: 58

Town: Deerfield (unincorporated area of Lake County)

Incumbent? No

Family: Married to Marla for 27 years. I have two children--Brittany, age 25 and Bradley, age 22. Brittany attended and graduated from District 102 schools. Bradley attended the SEDOL Program. Both graduated from Stevenson High School.

Occupation: attorney. I am the owner of the Deerfield based Law Office of Scott Linn. Further, I have served as an Assistant Illinois Attorney General.

Community Involvement: (a) Member, Aptakisic-Tripp Dist. 102 Future Planning Committee; (b) Member, Aptakisic-Tripp Dist. 102 21st Century Technology Planning Committee; (c) Former Assistant Coach, Buffalo Grove Park District Girls Softball; (d) Past Vice-President and Education Committee Chairman — Association of Condominium, Townhouse and Homeowners Associations (ACTHA); (e) Former Board Member, Temple Jeremiah Men's Club ("Brotherhood")

Link to campaign website or Facebook page: www.LinnForDistrict102SchoolBoard.com

Why are you running for a School Board position?

I am running because the position of Dist. 102 School Board member is vitally important and I can make a major difference as a member. My children received a superb education from District 102, the SEDOL Program and Stevenson High School. Becoming a Board member is my way of giving back to the community at a critical time for all school districts in Illinois and nationally. The present and future generations of District 102 students deserve a great educational experience. I want to help them obtain it. Education is the key to America's economic future and our ability to compete in the global economy. 

What are the key issues that the district will have to address in the next four years?

The key issues facing the District in the next four years are as follows: (a) declining enrollment may force staffing reconfigurations or even reductions. Existing District personnel, including teachers, may need to exhibit new flexibility in handling assignments in new curriculum areas. Such changes must not compromise District educational quality; (b) A continuing drop in home values and rising foreclosures might negatively District 102 revenues. This could severely impact the District's attempts at: (i) maintaining its  present and anticipated forward thinking curriculum, while (ii)simultaneously  maintaining District financial stability, including its AAA bond rating and refrain from tax rate referendums; and (c) the teacher contract negotiations beginning in 2012 and resulting in a new contract starting in July, 2013. The District must  maintain the excellent relationship it has fostered with the teachers union while assuring that new salaries and benefits remain reasonable and affordable.    

What are your top three priorities as a board member?

My top three Board member priorities are as follows: (a) maintaining and improving the District's educational program offerings and standardized test scores. District 102 students must be fully prepared to succeed at Stevenson High School and the college(s) of their choice. Further, I want to foster the continued attraction of superior teachers and administrators to the District; (b) facilitating the District's stated goal of "supporting learning powered by technology". The District has been incorporating the positive use of technology into it's curriculum for some time. This positive usage must continue and be increased. Further, the District's established Internet safety guidelines, including regarding cyber bullying, must be fully enforced; and (c) ensuring the District's continued financial stability. Teacher and administrator salaries and benefits must be sufficient to attract superior individuals, while not becoming excessive. The District's AAA bond rating and recent refrain from tax rate referendums must continue.  

What are some of the district’s strengths?

District 102 has a variety of strengths, including: (a) the high quality of its students. The overall student body is highly motivated to learn and comes from families that are deeply committed to educational excellence. Student standardized tests scores, including on the ISAT tests, reflect this fact; (b) the District seeks out and hires only superior teachers and administrators. Such personnel are constantly creating new educational program initiatives and goals. This includes the "Social Emotional Learning" program, increased emphasis on writing skills and the continuing incorporation of advanced technology into the curriculum; (c) the District's financial stability. This is exemplified by the District's ample financial reserves, its recent ability to refrain from requesting tax rate referendums and its maintenance of a AAA bond rating; and (d) the long history of strong community support for education and District success. This has been manifested by residents supporting tax increases where necessary, to sustain the District's ability to function effectively.  

What do you think could be done to improve the district?

In attempting to improve the District I would like to see the District: (a) implement a long-term financial plan enabling it from having to request any tax rate referendums for a minimum of another 10 years; (b) increase using advanced technology in its curriculum. The District has already done a superb job of doing this.  The greater the use of technology by students the better. Globally, this is the clear trend and District 102 students must be prepared to compete with both other American students and students from abroad; and (c) Hold more seminars and workshops for parents to educate them involving the risks created by the increased use of the Internet. This includes the dangers related to pornographic images and cyber bullying. Parents need to be aware of these risks and directly involved in dealing with them.  

What distinguishes you from the rest of the School Board candidates?

I believe that what distinguishes me from other Board candidates is my overall breadth of knowledge, experience and community involvement. All of the candidates are accomplished and committed to the District's success. However, having lived in the District for several years, I believe that I have a clear understanding of the financial challenges and demographic trends impacting District 102. Having educated my children either directly in the District or in special education programs, all the way through Stevenson HS, I have a unique perspective regarding the education process. Further, I have a successful record of working cooperatively with other  volunteers and leaders in the many community organizations I have been involved in. This lends itself to working in a similar fashion with other District 102 Board members and educational personnel in an attempt to achieve successful outcomes regarding District 102 issues.