Bolingbrook Election 2013 Candidate: Tonia Young Barr

Campaign information 

Position sought: School board

Phone: 630-759-6449

Personal information 

Age: 45

Family: Married to Harold. Six children: Jeton, Harold, Aric, Aryen, Jalen, Tiana

Education: Criminal justice from South Suburban College, Physcology from Harold Washington College and JJC

Profession: Law Enforcement, Youth Officer 

Political party affiliation: Democratic

Previous elected offices: Teamster representative, Cook County negotiating committee, board member for non-profit organization in Chicago Austin area

Applicable experience qualifying you for this position: Ten years of experiences in contract negotiations and disciplinary hearings, working with youth and current employee in the a Valley View school district. We have so much experience now and in the past, now it time for a brighter future by electing those who have a drive, passion for serving, listening to the people and willing to fight for change. 

Candidate questions 

Why are you running for this office? 

Ensure that the concerns of the community at addresses and that Vvsd is more fiscally responsible. That our students are prepared to enter into a global workforce and the education that they are receiving is comparable to that of some of our top school districts, in Illinois. Also that there is equality in education and resources for all out students.

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

In light of the recent ruling, the $3.5 million hospital tax exempt refund from Vvsd will have a big impact on the future budget. Make some decisions that will not be popular among those in management respect to salaries, reviewing programs that are not working, yet Vvsd is financially responsible for without impacting the educational needs of our students. 

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I'm not be holding to any politician or Vvsd employee, but I am dedicated to the students, our children first and then the community of which this Board serves. Having sat and negotiated contracts with the 2nd largest county in the country, I am ready to restore faith and hope that our employees expect, the citizens demand and our children deserve.

How long have you lived in your community and/or been active in local issues?

I have been a resident in this district for over years and worked in several campaigns. I've been involved with several nonprofit groups as a volunteer.

What's your favorite thing about Valley View School District 365U?

We have some of the best educators in Illinois, they are committed to our students. When I talk about Vvsd I am proud of the fact that we are able to serve a diverse student population, which reflects the World we live in.

What’s your opinion of the “New View” and the general direction the school district is headed? What do you agree with? What would you change? 

No child left behind did nothing but push our students through the system, so the fact that Superintendent Mitchem recognized that approach was not working and sought new ways to address this issue and it seems to be working. On a recent trip to Washington D.C., I took part in a meeting preparing a generation of young people to work in industries such as pilot, physicians,  and skilled labor so that in the next 10 years will our children will be ready to....no, focusing on basic reading and math skills.  We should be preparing our youth for college for those who want to continue their education, but also promote and support those who want to enter the workforce and in that area we are definitely failing.  

What is the biggest challenge facing Valley View? 

Finding ways to become more fiscally responsible, while not comprising the education needs of our children. This will entail developing a better relationship with those on the federal, state and local level, lobbying on behalf of the citizens and the students, so that they are not the victims of taxation with our representation.

As a board member, how do you plan to promote academic achievement while remaining fiscally responsible?  

Promote and nurture a relationship with educators, specifically listening to the teachers in the classrooms what is working and what we can do better, start a mentoring program which involves those educators who have shown continuous growth over two years as a model for what could work at that grade level.

The student to teacher ratio is also an issue, and that in part an be resolved though student teachers Intern program Since 3rd grade test scores seems to be the criteria for the future of how many prisons will be maintained and built, increase the time and resources needed on reading and math so that our children are able maintain a career and building a brighter future. 

More community involvement through PTO/PTA and participation in school board meetings. And that is having a board that is open to communication with he community, parents, teachers and students to come up with solutions.

Most importantly stop increasing taxes on our citizens to pay for a failing system, fix what is broken before asking taxpayers to always foot the bill.