Kevin Camden, District 86 Candidate

HINSDALE, IL — Kevin Camden is one of 10 candidates for four seats on the Hinsdale High School District 86 board. Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name: Kevin P. Camden

Campaign contact email: Camdenford86@gmail.com

Age (as of election day): 49

Town of residence: Willowbrook (unincorporated DuPage)

Family:

Shelly, wife of 20 years
Liam, senior at HSHS
Makena, sophomore at HSHS
Claire, freshman at HSHS

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

Northern Illinois University, BA, Economics, 94
John Marshall Law School (Chicago), JD, 97

Occupation:

Attorney

Campaign website:
Camdenford86.com

Previous or current elected or appointed office:
D86 BOE 2017-present
Tri-State Fire Protection District commissioner, 2014-2017

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe the single most pressing in the immediate term is getting the students back in the classroom full time and addressing the education gaps which developed during the pandemic. Inevitably, the change in instruction affected some students disproportionately and we must assist them in maintaining their educational growth. Longer-term, the challenge will be balancing unfunded mandates which the state legislature will have to pass along to the school districts because there is no additional revenue proposed in the Governor's budget; any Covid related expenses, let alone curriculum requirements will fall upon the district to finance while maintaining the upgraded facilities.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

None of the other candidates can match my service and experience with District 86 and the in-depth understanding of our high school district. I chaired the finance committee from 2017-2019, and remain a member. I was personally involved in the referendum campaign and supported the referendum as a board member.I have worked and continue to work on the facilities committee and special facilities committee. I was involved with the recent, mutually agreed HHSTA (teacher) contract. I serve on the CELT committee.

I have supported Transitions by attending partner breakfasts and graduation/aging out ceremonies, as well as reviewing the leasing and utilization of new space for the Transitions Center.

I am not a single-issue candidate, nor do I have a personal agenda. I understand the complexities of being on the BOE for a high school district a $100 plus million budget; dealing with labor and employee issues; focusing on capital investment and replacement; and, getting students back into the classroom while navigating COVID. I have a strategic mindset that balances the current, pressing issues with the long-term vision and excellence for our district.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board failed the community or district?

I am not a challenger in this election but I am proud of the work the BOE has done in developing and implementing the strategic plan, while navigating a global pandemic. I am proud of our district. While some disapprove of the curriculum during Covid, many have and continue to support the current hybrid learning model. The largest capital project the district has seen in decades, the referendum spend, remains on time and presently, under budget.

Many, particularly in the HS attendance area, are concerned with declining enrollment numbers. As we move forward post-pandemic, the district needs to understand what is happening—and why—regarding attendance and how those trends are impacting the district. If the continuing work with the strategic plan indicates an in-depth review of attendance boundaries may provide great curriculum alignment and equity, among other factors, it should be considered.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

My campaign platform is defined by achieving the goals and benchmarks outlined in the District’s strategic plan. I want students back in the classroom when it is safe for all. I want to see the referendum construction completed on time and on budget. Curriculum equity, however that is defined through understanding and working with the strategic plan, is critical. As a BOE member, I want to impact the most pressing issues facing the district and work through, analyze, and implement the strategic plan. My focus is putting all the district’s students’ achievement and success first, preparing them for their respective futures after their high school experience.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I have:
*Advocated to keep students in school from August through December 2020 vs going "all remote" during the pandemic;
*Advocated to return to school in-person/hybrid at the beginning of 2021 (after Winter Break); advocated against an "adaptive pause";
*Contributed to one of the most successful teacher contract negotiations in recent district history ...in spite of the pandemic;
*was at the forefront of the referendum strategy that passed successfully in 2019 to dramatically enhance our school facilities;
*helped manage the finances and construction planning as a result of the successful referendum; the biggest capital project in our district's recent history, currently on time and on budget;
*negotiated multi-year contracts with principals for both schools; and
*demonstrated leadership in developing and adopting D86's Strategic Plan, ensuring our district's excellence for years to come.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I believe the right to peaceful protest is part of the fabric of this country. I support the need to understand, promote and celebrate our diversity, as evidenced by my implementation and participation in District 86's Culture and Equity Leadership Team ("CELT"). I am keenly aware of the racial composition of our district, including the breakdown by each school, and support learning about and developing cultural equity.

What are your thoughts on the district’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you in favor of remote learning, in-person learning or a hybrid of the two? Do you support a mask mandate for students and school staff, or mandatory coronavirus testing for both students and staff?

In reverse order, masks and distancing have been proven effective in fighting the virus spread in schools and I support the continued use. I want students back in the classroom, full day, as soon as it is safely possible. Until we can safely return all students and staff to the classroom, a decision that combines federal, state, and local health department guidelines, hybrid is an effective alternative to receiving students in the classroom.

Do you believe there is equity between Central and South high schools? Why or why not?

My definition of equity is equal support for all students in helping them achieve success; my primary concern as a BOE member is students. I believe that District 86 provides support for students at all levels, in all three buildings. I am proud of our student success and accomplishment across the academic spectrum. Your question asks about HCHS and HSHS, but there is a third campus, Transition Center. I am inspired by the work that the Transition Center team does every day.

We need to strive for consistency, not necessarily parity, among the schools, which is well-documented in the Strategic Plan. Consistency in curriculum and grading practices within and among the two high schools will ensure equity for all the students in the future.

What was your position on the $140 million referendum that voters passed in April 2019?

I publicly supported the referendums and voted “yes.” The improvements being made at the schools are vital to supporting students and staff, as well as their safety and success. Many of the referendum improvements move our facilities into a better position for 21st century learning. We have a responsibility to ensure facility excellence and this was neglected, if not abandoned for far too long. My goal as a steward of taxpayer dollars to to manage the budget to be able to maintain the improved facilities into the future.

How should school board members handle emails from the public?

The BOE receives, depending upon the topic scores if not hundreds of emails, which helps identify areas and issues of concern. However, responding to every email individually is challenging from a resource/time-management perspective. For emails of a common theme, the BOE relies upon the administration to respond. The BOE operates as a board, not seven individuals, so we do try and answer emails, although a personal response is not always possible. I have responded individually to many emails over the last four years and continue to do so.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No