Bolingbrook Election 2013 Candidate: Sinatra Strong

Campaign information 

• E-mail: strongs89@yahoo.com
• Phone: 630-854-9245

Personal information 

• Age: 49 
• Education: B.A. Healthcare Leadership, B.A. Marketing
• Occupation: Territory Sales Manager
• Political party affiliation: Democratic 
• Previous elected offices: None 

Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: 

Currently work with youth organizations in Bolingbrook in the capacity of mentoring  and have worked with coordinating youth focused events in Bolingbrook for over 10 years. Allowing the youth to utilize there talents in the arts.  Have children that are current students in the Valley View school district and very involve in the success of there education. Mentored the youth in continuing there education by advising University choices. Also, have volunteered in various organizations that work indirectly with the school district to promote student empowerment.

Candidate questions 

Why are you running for this office? 

To be an influential community voice for students and teachers, (2) to influence the contribution of providing quality resources for our students and teachers in effort to add quality instructional learning, (3) and to heighten the motivation level for students and teachers in our diverse school culture.  As a representative for 365U board I would accept the position for the purpose of not resolving a single issue, I am seeking to accomplish what is in the best interest of all the students, all of the time. This includes students with disabilities and disadvantages.

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

An individual board member holds next to no power.  Being an ambassador and team player on the school board to help the district move forward in new practices and ideas branded by the board. The plan is to work with shared vision that will inspire staff and students to move from “good to great” in their achievement effort.  It is vital as a representative that board service is seen from a 30,000 foot viewpoint.  I would be a representative that would help set direction within certain perimeters to support team decisions and step back for the superintendent do his job. 

What sets you apart from the other candidates? 

I am very open to new ideas and can create an atmosphere of excitement with board members to improve the status quo.  I am a connector, forward thinker, and a strong believer in business and community.  I believe the board can work well with limited resources in challenging economic times and eliminate wasteful spending. 

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

Bolingbrook is home for me and my wife Dondretta of 24 years and our two children ages 20 and 14. Our son and daughter completed all but their first three years in Valley view 365U, Jasper is approaching his junior year of college and our daughter Crystal is a freshman at BHS.  Bolingbrook has been our “place to grow."  I have been active involved with youth programming and Village Performing Arts events for years. Ten years of my life I have worked up and close with students of advantage and disadvantage, this includes working with organizations and programs such as H20 (Heart Haven Outreach), NEBC Youth Group, Young Adult Marriage Mentor, Parent Volunteer for Band Boosters, Wells High School Alumni Support Team. I have also been a guest on the local cable TV show “Bridging the Gap."

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

The student diversity population reflects who we are as a community. This reminds me of my educational experience. I also appreciate the fact that we have a state-of- the art high school building and facilities.  I sense both neighboring suburban and inner-city schools are baffled by our ability to create an awesome college campus look. In my opinion, this smart architect move creates a college feel and vision for our students before they bridge over to a college campus.

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?   

One great thing about the “New View” is the ability to see change in action. As our society change so does the life of a child. As a district we need to become change agents for our students. It is too soon to measure the successes and failures of the “New View”.  As with any program there are four dimensions—delivery, organizational, marketing, and innovative capability.  I am not a fan of the American Education System, as it is not designed for every child to succeed. Regardless of programs implemented and action taken there will be students inadvertently “left behind”.  As a district we will not be exempt from that reality.  My “view” is that colleges and trade schools will set the stage for true reality as student exam re-test set false reality.  In my opinion the “New View” is a continuous tape on repeat to say our children need full circle support. This is to include parents, staff, community, professional organizations or anyone who affects or is affected by the school’s action.  The “New View” needs to start in homes and work through the veins of our community. 

What is the biggest challenge facing Valley View?

The new challenge is rapid community growth.  Bolingbrook is the 17th largest incorporated place. There in sits a large high school and middle school (Brooks) that can be intimidating to incoming freshman and six graders. This brings about a face-off between the student and teacher in a classroom where the teacher/student ratio is too high.  One primary reason for struggling students is that our teachers cannot spend quality one-on-one time to address questions or to trouble shoot student challenge subject areas.  Most often, the emphasis for the day is to get through the lesson plan. The end of every school day there should be enough time and productivity coming from the front of the classroom to identify students that have earned praise and recognition for their daily accomplishments. This is an area I would look forward to working with the board to find solutions. 

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

As mentioned earlier in question three, I believe the board can work well with limited resources in challenging economic times and eliminate or reduce wasteful spending by comparing and contrasting spending patterns from the last five years. The results would be given to the board to work out a strategic plan that models the needs of the community, staff, and students.  I would promote consistent interviewing and hiring practices for qualified teachers and other staff members to support the scope our district and to avoid unnecessary turn over. To have local business owners play a vital role with our district in mentoring our students in preparation for education-to-work i.e., internships, externship, and shadowing.  To build partnerships with public and private sector leadership in our community. The long-term outcome would be create and maintain all aspect of partnerships that add testimonial and success stories to our student portfolio so students can apply and be accepted to a college of choice not a college of default.