Candidate: Michael Rak

PLEASE TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR LIFE.
My name is Michael Rak and I am currently enrolled in the School Business Management Program at Northern Illinois University. I will graduate in May 2009 with a Master of Science in Education in School Business Management. After graduation I will meet the educational requirements for the chief school business official endorsement for the Type 75 Illinois Administrative Certificate.

I moved to Willow Springs five years ago with my wife and two children partly because of the educational reputation of Pleasantdale School District 107. My wife is a college math professor, my daughter is in kindergarten and my son is in 4th grade.

I earned a B.S. in Finance from the University of Illinois in 1987 and have worked at the Chicago Board of Trade for over 20 years. I also possess an Illinois Realtor license and
I am currently the Treasurer for Cub Scout Pack 69.

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO RUN FOR THE BOARD?
Education is very important to me and after attending several school board meetings in various school districts, including Pleasantdale, I realized that the school board plays a very important role in the educational and financial decision making process that impacts our children, their parents and our community.

In addition, I was compelled to run for the school board after observing that one of my son’s textbooks was ten years old. As a school board member, I can work with the superintendent, school staff and parents to ensure that our limited revenues are spent wisely to achieve the needs of our students.

Finally, I feel that I would be a valuable asset at improving communications, effectively listening to the concerns of parents and promoting transparency for school initiatives.

WHAT EXPERIENCE AND QUALIFICATIONS DO YOU FEEL YOU HAVE THAT WILL MAKE YOU AN EFFECTIVE BOARD MEMBER?
While earning my Master of Science in Education, I have learned a new skill set that can be readily applied to the responsibilities of a board member. This includes developing creative solutions, value propositions, risk mitigation options, business cases and sourcing strategies to achieve the desired results for targeted tasks and/or activities.

As a husband and father I have learned patience and listening skills which are necessary qualifications to be an effective board member.

My experience at the Chicago Board of Trade and as a real estate agent has taught me how to develop excellent working relationships that are founded in communication and trust. In order to succeed at the Board and as a real estate agent, one must work hard and earn the trust and respect of their peers and clients. I have also learned how to focus on managing and aligning numerous strategic initiatives by working with people.

WHAT DO YOU FEEL ARE THE KEY ISSUES FACING THE DISTRICT?
· Updating instructional materials to continue the trend of increasing test scores.
· Monitoring and advancing technology on an annual basis to ensure the future success of our students.
· Balancing the educational needs with the financial constraints.
· Listening to the concerns of the students and parents and communicating the steps necessary to resolve these concerns.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO ACCOMPLISH AS A BOARD MEMBER?
As a board member, I would work openly and diligently with the superintendent and the parents to improve the education of our children by prioritizing and gaining alignment on educational and financial initiatives.

Ensure more technology is introduced into the everyday curriculum and know that our students will be prepared for life in the 21st century. Work together with the high school and align our curriculum with that of the high school. Compare our school to the other schools that feed into LT and see where we stand in terms of preparing our children for high school and beyond.

I would also like the district to further explore a full day kindergarten program because the majority of districts in Illinois currently offer one. School District 107 currently only offers a free half day program with an optional tuition extended day program. Research shows that if you are not at grade level by end of second grade, 98% of those children will never catch up. This is why I feel dollars spent on early education are the best dollars spent.

WHAT IS YOUR VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THE DISTRICT?
· Keeping our children’s education as the number one goal of the district.
· Continue to see increased test results as a result of updated instructional materials and rigorous curriculum.
· Have a sense of increased community involvement and participation with full and timely communication on all levels.
· See technology usage increase in everyday curriculum.
· Stronger partnerships between board, administrators, teachers, parents, students, and the community.