Meet Kevin McKeown: Kirby School District 140 Candidate

TINLEY PARK, IL — Meet Kevin McKeown, School Board candidate for Kirby School District 140. The Consolidated Elections are April 6.

McKeown recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be seen below.

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email yasmeen.sheikah@patch.com.

Kevin McKeown

Age (as of election)

40

Town/city of residence

Tinley Park

School District

Kirby 140

Family

Wife Fernanda, and three sons: Tristan, Mason, and Peyton

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education

B.A. in Social Science w/ Secondary Education Certification - Eastern Illinois University / M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction - Concordia University / M.A. in Educational Leadership - Olivet Nazarene University / Certified Master Athletic Administrator Certificate (CMAA) - National Interscholastic Athletic Administrator’s Association (NIAAA). National Coach Certification - National Federation of High School Associations (NFHS)

Occupation

Currently serving as the Athletic Director of Andrew High School. Served as a teacher and administrator at Oak Lawn Community High School for 16 years prior to coming to Andrew 3 years ago.

Campaign website

N/A

Previous or current elected or appointed office

N/A

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

School boards will be facing challenging decisions in the next couple of years as the true economic impact of the pandemic has not yet been realized, and together with continual challenges with the state pension system, school boards will continue to be pressed to do more with less. Additionally, we will have to find ways to assist our staff with filling the learning gap left behind by COVID. National research suggests that the average elementary and middle school student will have lost more than a full year of learning, and the true impact will not be realized until after next year.

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

I would not classify this as critical, but I have spent the last 20+ years in education, as a teacher and administrator. I have worked to advance curriculum, instruction, and assessment for most of my career, and in my current capacity as athletic administrator, centered our decision-making around data and research. I believe my experience in education gives me a deeper understanding of what helps schools maximize the potential of their students and staff.

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

I prefer to not pass judgement on our current board of education members. The challenges they have faced in the past year are unlike anything previous boards have faced in more than a generation. What I will say is that dedicating the last 20 years of my life to education, as both a teacher and administrator, I feel I can provide a great deal of support and help our district quickly make up losses from this pandemic.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I would like to think that all current candidates running are doing so to support their community school district. As a father of three boys who will go through the system, I want to help guide progress with all our kids in mind, not just a select few. The success of schools is what drives hard-working families into our community and I want to see that continue.

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

As stated in previous responses, I have dedicated my professional life to education, and to guiding students to lifelong success. I have advanced degrees in curriculum and instruction, and educational leadership. With my knowledge and leadership experience, I feel I am well prepared to face the challenges of this position.

Why should voters trust you?

I would want voters to trust that as a parent and tax-paying homeowner, I want what is best for all students. I want to see the district lead by exceptional and transformational leaders, and teachers be held to an appropriate standard, as well as provided the resources to give the best for our students.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

I would like to help advance Response to Intervention (RTI) programs, as well as expand what activities we can provide kids to give them a more enriching school experience.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

As I touched on early, schools are a major factor in families deciding where to move their families, and we need to provide our students with the best education possible, while staying inside our means.

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?

In trying to see the connection of this question to the role and work of a school board member, I can say that it is important to assist district leadership in providing equitable education for all our students.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I prefer to stay away from passing judgement on current members and instead, should I be fortunate to be voted onto the board, would value the opportunity to be a part of conversations that can advance equity in our school district.

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?

I am a proponent of having our students return to the classroom full-time. Science supports the full-time return in-person learning, and recent findings by psychologists highlight the negative impact of being out of the classroom this past year, as well as the dangers of delaying their return. It is important to continue to use science to make our decisions and focus on the health and welfare of our students and staff.

When the vaccine is available to them, do you support mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff?

I would hope the science provides enough information and support for the benefits of receiving the vaccine to where a conversation on mandatory vaccination for staff is not a topic needing to be discussed.

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was ____________

The two things we can all control in our life is our attitude and effort. Find something to be thankful for every day and remind yourself of that throughout the day, and give your best effort to not only positively affect your day, but also everyone around you. Never let effort be a reason why someone beats you.