D87 Board of Education Election: Richard Heim

Name: 

Richard Heim

Position Sought:

Glenbard Township High School District 87 School Board Member 

Campaign Contact Information:

www.Facebook.com/VoteForRichardHeim

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

To continue to provide a high quality, comprehensive education to the students of District 87 while maintaining financial strength for the taxpayers of our communities.

Home Address:

Lombard, Illinois 60148

Family Members:

Anne - Wife
Christine - Daughter (27)
Emily - Daughter (23)
Michael - Son (18)
Meredith - Daughter (18)

Education:

Lewis University - 1988 - Masters in Business Administration (MBA)

Loras College - 1983 - Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Current Occupation and Employer: 

Advocate Healthcare
President of Advocate South Suburban Hospital

Political Party Affiliation:

None

Why are you seeking office?

I am seeking re-election because I have worked hard as a member of the Board of Education to establish working relationships with other Board Members, district leadership, teachers, students and the community. I have helped to build trust that we are providing a great education for students while maintaining positive fund balance to support growth. I would like to build on all this great work for another 4 years. 

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I have been a member of the Board of Education since 2009, and am currently serving as the President of the Board of Education. 
During my time on the Board: 
1) We always approved a balanced budget
2) Transitioned the leadership team of the District
3) Worked hard to renegotiate our employee contracts
4) Took the time of listen to all of the stakeholders of Glenbard. 

I hope to serve an additional four years and build upon these successes.

Issue 1: What do you think the greatest challenges the school district faces in regard to preparing students for life in a 21st Century world?

1. Maintaining financial solvency given the economic challenges at the local and state level to fund education.

2. Enhancing the curriculum to meet the needs of the increasing culturally and economically diverse communities we serve. 

Issue 2: What if anything would you change at the district to make it more efficient or cost effective?

District 87 has taken great strides to achieve a surplus budget that will help us to fund necessary infrastructure as well as programs and services in order to maintain a comprehensive curriculum. Cost reductions have taken place over the past 4 years with many of them having little impact on the teaching that is taking place in the classroom. 

Issue 3: What, if any, changes would you make at the district in regard to the role of technology in students' education. 

It is clear that the role of technology is increasing in the classrooms across the country. Out goal is to develop the technical and human resources infrastructure necessary to support the effective and rigorous learning experience provided in District 87 through a variety of technological options. 

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

Please vote on April 9, 2013 for me as a candidate that has worked hard to make the right decisions for the students and taxpayers of Glenbard Township Hight School District 87.

As a proud parent of four Glenbard graduates, I look forward to using the next four years to maximize the educational opportunities to all of the students of Glenbard.