2017 Election Questionnaire: Taylor Egan, District 304 School Board

Name: Taylor Egan

Age: 40

Town of residence: Geneva

Position sought: Geneva 304 School Board

Family: I've been married to Jim Egan for 16 years. We have two children, Elliot and Oliver. Elliot, a fifth grader, and Oliver, a second grader, both attend Mill Creek Elementary School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education: Bachelor of Arts, DePaul University

Occupation: Stay-at-home parent

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: I have never held an elected or appointed office seat.

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it: Having a budget and working within the framework of what the finances will allow is critical for any board. We know District 304 has substantial debt that must be repaid. We also know that financial pressures are looming in a couple key areas. The State may reduce funding and vouchers could potentially gain favor due to new National leadership. If elected, I would do my part to make sure all expenses are justified, to ensure debt reduction planning continues, and keep a keen eye on the quality of our educational program. The goal must be to maintain high academic standards without overspending. For me it goes a step further. I see communication as a critical area that could be improved. How and why spending occurs needs to be transparent with all taxpayers. Through my work with the district’s Communication Task Force, I have seen firsthand how open communication improves the working relationship with the community. I trust in my ability to be transparent and know we must have consistent dialogue regarding District 304 finances.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?: Let’s start with the obvious. I am the only non-incumbent running. While I applaud the efforts of my running mates, I believe it is time for a new voice. Those that have worked with me within any number of Geneva volunteer associations, know I put significant time and energy into thinking of and proposing new ideas. After an idea vetting process, I have the necessary skills to take an idea and make it a reality. My two kids are among the youngest Geneva students of any of my running mates. This fact alone is an important differentiator. Our family has another decade of attending Geneva schools. My desire, my goal, is to help shape our District for the entirety of that time. It starts with this one election and therefore I would ask that you vote for Taylor Egan.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?: I believe there is work to be done and new paths are needed to ensure the quality of our education system. So, while I have tremendous respect for the current board members, I do believe the board, as a collective group, needs a new voice. In my opinion, what would propel the board toward future success are new ideas. Ideas that come with the perspective of a mom who has young kids in the district’s school system. Broadening out the types of people who represent the community would be a positive. I am a strong woman who can bring that voice to the board. I have a track record of serving the community with complete dedication and it is my hope people recognize the need for this fresh voice and vote accordingly.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?: I believe there is work to be done and new paths are needed to ensure the quality of our education system. So, while I have tremendous respect for the current board members, I do believe the board, as a collective group, needs a new voice. In my opinion, what would propel the board toward future success are new ideas. Ideas that come with the perspective of a mom who has young kids in the district’s school system. Broadening out the types of people who represent the community would be a positive. I am a strong woman who can bring that voice to the board. I have a track record of serving the community with complete dedication and it is my hope people recognize the need for this fresh voice and vote accordingly.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: There has been a lot of talk about the development of the 21st century classroom. In my option, the goal of creating independent learners begins with the student’s emotional well-being and ends with quality lessons, delivered by a well-trained and supportive faculty. To focus on learning and not just test scores is the path toward more well-rounded students and adults. This leads perfectly into the District’s focus on the development of the 21st century classroom. We cannot hide from the speed at which technology is changing not only in how we do our work, but how we process information. We would be remiss if we ignored the technology piece of the puzzle. The district’s technology plan focuses on getting modern technology into the hands of every student. We cannot ignore the necessity of a strong infrastructure to support the demands of computers, tablets and mobile devices. The networks that support these technologies must be uniform and high speed. Having too many platforms or devices with poor connectivity will not only slow the modern student’s progress, but cause frustration. Combining well-adjusted students who are ready to learn with teachers who have the right methodology and technology is a winning formula.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?: During this election process I’ve talked a lot about open communication and transparency. In many cases, I’m referring to how the board communicates with the community. However, I also believe the members of the school board have an obligation to work closely and as effectively as possible with other governmental groups. For instance, the City of Geneva made the decision to create their tax increment financing district (TIF), thus carving out millions in potential revenue for Geneva schools. In essence, this decision by the city made the planning and funding of Geneva schools more difficult. I think we can all see how this would cause consternation. As a newcomer, I would be able to more adeptly reopen or reaffirm lines of communication between governmental agencies. I know the more people we have working together the more effective we will be. This is one area I feel I could have an immediate and positive impact.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career: Intriguing question. I have a story that not only answers the question, but is particularly appropriate given the fact that I’m running for a seat on the school board. I graduated from DePaul with highest honors in just three years. However, my path to DePaul was not a straight line. After graduating high school, I was really was unsure if college would be right for me or not. After much debate, I did start my freshman year, but was really unhappy and unsatisfied with the experience. It was at midterm, I elected to not enroll for my second semester of freshman year. Since I was no longer going to school, I worked full-time to support myself. After two years, I realized graduating was a must. I had matured and developed a clear understanding of what I wanted in life. Knowing I would have a family and I would be a strong advocate for higher education, I wanted to make sure I had my diploma. It was at this point I enrolled at DePaul. The experience taught me how to overcome setbacks, how to change a path you are on, and most importantly gave me a new confidence in myself.

Why should voters trust you?: My hope is people will trust me because of my reputation. Being an active community volunteer and having two kids in all kinds of local activities, I believe I have come in contact with many who will be voting. Whether through a relationship with me directly or through word of mouth, I believe people know I am committed to what this position entails. I have no other motive for seeking this responsibility than to serve the community and the kids in our district. While it would be naïve to assume everyone will like me, I do believe most can respect my hard work and dedication. If you are a voter who wants to support a candidate that will wholeheartedly commit to this position, then I would ask you entrust me with your vote.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy: Those that know my daughter know the impact Jane Goodall has had on how she views the world. Jane Goodall is a fascinating woman with a number of famous quotes. My favorite is “The greatest danger to our future is apathy.” Obviously, Ms. Goodall said this in reference to preserving the animals she has spent a lifetime defending. However, the quote rings true in all facets of life. My decision to run for a seat on the school boards represents my desire to stave off apathy, to put myself out there and do my part to make a difference.

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?: Too often, people fall into the trap of being overly reactionary. The questions I would ask would be those focused on continuous improvement. Employees who are doing their roles now know firsthand what is working smoothly and what could be improved. Tapping into this knowledge base for ideas would ensure we continue evaluate all possibilities and not just those created inside a board room. Additionally, asking quality questions of current employees helps ensure a board member is grounded in the realities of the day to day.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?: With the district’s current debt sitting at more than $160 million dollars, school board members must focus on this sizable issue. We must take the necessary steps to reduce debt and get back on track. I believe this can be done without cutting services, educational quality, or raising taxes. I’ve looked at the board’s current plan to repay the debt. If elected, I would push to stay on target with how the debt is currently being paid down. Furthermore, I do support the District’s ten year outlook which maintains current tax rates, without increases, while maintaining our high educational standards. Similarly, the seven year safety and maintenance plan road maps necessary preventative maintenance and upgrades reasonably. On the income side there is the looming nature of Senate Bill 16. This Bill puts new formulas in place that provide increased funding for areas with large percentages of at-risk students. To increase their funding, districts like 304 would see a decrease in State funds. According to Geneva’s “Comprehensive Annual Financial Report” for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016 our annual short fall is estimated at $5 million dollars. Should this become reality, we will need to respond. Taking a macro view of future expenditures balanced against current needs will ensure money is spent wisely and only where necessary. Other major spend categories should also be forced ranked to further ensure we properly identify not only where money is spent, but in what order.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: My community involvement has provided me not only experience in and around District 304, but also afforded me great insight. Communication is a major strength and personal focus. I currently serve in a number of volunteer roles and in each one I work hard to be a positive ambassador for our initiatives and a champion for significant transparency. In fact, my current role as the appointed community liaison to the District’s Communication Task Force has reinforced my belief in open communication. Our team is sharing vast amounts of information through social media. Having unfettered information out for public consumption creates awareness and conversation around the initiatives taking hold in our schools. I believe having this information so easily accessible is increasing the trust tax payers have in our administrators, teachers and elected officials. My work and association with two other groups has also provided me great learning and community experience. I’m currently the Co-President of the Geneva Academic Foundation and a director on the Geneva Library Foundation. I’ve positioned myself in leadership roles, with a focus on providing open, direct, and honest communication. If elected, I will bring these same characteristics and dedication to the School Board.

The best advice ever shared with me was: In terms of advice, I don’t think it was a singular saying or talk rather a set of actions. My Dad really had no clue about raising girls. This turned out to be a wonderful thing. He simply did everything with me the way he would my older brother. I learned to swing a golf club, throw a baseball, hunt and fish and not once did he accept or expect me do only things girls did in the traditional sense. This taught me that the world really is what you make of it and if you let it people will set boundaries on either our thoughts or your actions.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: It’s important to me that voters know I will not lose sight of the largest district issues like our finances, tax implications or quality of education. With that said, I do have other key issues about which I care deeply. A few years ago, I spent significant time learning about the district’s pronounced focus on the social and emotional well-being of our students. I believe our district leadership should be cognizant of societal pressure and not only continue with existing programs, but make sure the programs stay at the forefront of our future planning. Next, the continued development of 21st century classroom is vitally important to our ability to create the independent students we desire. Lastly, as the appointed community liaison to the District’s Communication task force, I am proud to be associated with the work this group has done. The transparency and effort that is being put into openly sharing vast amounts of knowledge through social media is awesome. I believe it is increasing the trust tax payers have in our administrators, teachers and elected officials. As the only non-incumbent running for a seat on the board of education. I view this as a positive because I am the only one who can truly enter the beginning of this term with a fresh outlook. I have a voice in this community that represents that of full time parent. I volunteer, I educate myself and I always find new ways to contribute to this district and community.

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