District 25 School Board Candidate: Philip Crusius

Name Philip Crusius

How long have you been a resident of District 25? 25 years

Biographical Information (optional) family, profession, background, etc. 

Family: Married with two children, a son who is a junior at Rolling Meadows High School and a daughter who is a freshman at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My wife and children all attended District 25 at Westgate and South Middle Schools.Education: BS in Computer Science (Engineering) - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.Profession: Self-employed software engineer.School Involvement: District 25 Board Member elected in 2009, PTA, ABC/25 Foundation for District 25, Science Olympiad event coach, Tech Coordinator for drama at South Middle School.Community Involvement: Boy Scouts Assistant Scoutmaster, PADS (Homeless Shelter), Church leader and choir member.

Why are you running for the District 25 board? 

I serve on the board because I believe in the importance of public education and community service. During these changing times in education and the economy, I will work to maintain the high quality of education balanced with fiscal responsibility and accountability. I will draw on my four years of 100% attendance and commitment on the board, and my total of fourteen years as a District 25 parent or board member, to ensure the best education for our children. Over the next four years, the board will be hiring a new superintendent, adopting the "common core" curriculum and reviewing the special education program. I have the experience and commitment to move our schools forward.

What is your opinion on the offering of world languages to younger students in District 25, taking into account the attached costs? 

For the past several years, District 25 has taught Mandarin Chinese to almost all fourth and fifth graders in the elementary schools with the help of a now-cancelled grant. However, only about six percent of these students have chosen to stick with Mandarin in the middle schools. Elementary classroom time is at a premium and we are at a time of many curriculum changes as we implement the new "Common Core" state standards. I felt it would be best to discontinue elementary Mandarin at this time and possibly revisit the question of elementary world languages down the road. District 25 has one of the most diverse world language programs in the area. Mandarin, Spanish, French, Italian (South), and German (Thomas) continue to be offered for all three years in the middle schools.

What is your opinion of the recently introduced outside evaluation of special education offerings in the school district? 

I was disappointed by the special education report prepared by the "Futures Education" group. While the report has some worthwhile suggestions, the tone of the report and most of the recommendations are aimed at cost-cutting. Very few references are made to "best practices" or what is best for the students. The report even suggests that some parents are too pro-active regarding their children. We are in a community where our children come first. We do need to watch our budget, but we are first concerned with what is best for the children of our community, especially those with special needs. The district review of special education must get started. Regardless of what role the "Futures Education" report has in the review, it is important that parents of special needs children be a part of the review and that all aspects of the program be looked at, including best practices, parent involvement and communication.

In the search for a new superintendent, what are the qualities you will look for in a new leader for District 25? 

As part of the search process, the board will be seeking input from all stakeholders and I will listen very seriously to this input. To me, one of the most important qualities is the ability to work with and understand the parents and the community. I would like to see a leader who collaborates with the board and the entire staff and is visible throughout the schools. It is also important that we have a superintendent skilled in 21st century learning who will carry on our district's commitment to excellence.

What, if any, improvements would you like to see in the way the board is run? 

I would like to see the full board agenda available online, along with all of the non-confidential background information that is prepared for the board. I would also like to have more board meetings dedicated to discussions on issues and goals. One of District 25's greatest assets is its parent participation. These steps would bring more parents and community members into the process. Eventually I would like to see meetings broadcast on the district cable channel.

Additional comments and/or information you deem important for District 25 voters to know about you. 

Thank you. I ask for your vote on April 9.