D87 Board of Education Election: Jennifer Jendras

Name:

Jennifer Jendras

Position Sought:

School Board Member, Glenbard High School District 87

Campaign Contact Information:

jjrg7@yahoo.com

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

To provide students with the best possible programs and educational opportunities that meet THEIR individual needs, while being cognizant of the fact taxpayer resources are reaching, if not at, a breaking point.

Your Home Address:

Lombard

Family Members:

Rich Graham, Spouse, 50
Charlotte Graham, Child 14
Lindsay Graham, Child 14
Nina Graham, Child 6

Education:

BS, Environmental Health and Safety, Illinois State University, 1990

Current Occupation and Employer:

Occupational Safety and Health Specialist, Instructor
U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), OSHA Training Institute

Current Member, 10 years, Village of Lombard, Environmental Concerns Committee 

Political Party Affiliation:

Republican mostly

Why Are You Seeking Office?

I subscribe to values that are essential to collaborate work and decision making such as trust, accountability, mutual respect, and fairness. I seek to understand all sides of a position. Even though I must eventually choose one side of an issue as the strongest for my decision, I want to be able to demonstrate that I understand all sides of the issue, and that everyone’s voice has been heard and considered. I don't claim to know the answers to every issue, but I have a passion for knowledge and enjoy researching facts.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

It appears that majority of the high paying jobs with the most job security and potential growth are in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math and business, A great majority of students are not well prepared in these educational areas. Students need more information as to the types of jobs offered in these fields and what they involve. They also need a good understanding as to what it will take academically and financially to position themselves for these careers and experienced teachers to help them be best prepared educationally for advanced education in these fields. Additionally, these fields are not for everyone, so what other opportunities are available to these students and what do they need to know in terms of getting there and what obstacles may these students face in the future, in terms of these career choices. 

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?

It appears that majority of the high paying jobs with the most job security and potential growth are in the areas of science, technology, engineering, math and business, A great majority of students are not well prepared in these educational areas. Students need more information as to the types of jobs offered in these fields and what they involve. They also need a good understanding as to what it will take academically and financially to position themselves for these careers and experienced teachers to help them be best prepared educationally for advanced education in these fields. Additionally, these fields are not for everyone, so what other opportunities are available to these students and what do they need to know in terms of getting there and what obstacles may these students face in the future, in terms of these career choices.

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

The Glenbard District is in a unique situation with 4 high schools in its district. This allows for the opportunity to capitalize on shared services, especially in the area of administration, in order to reduce costs. I would look to areas that may have an impact on high insurance costs due to rates of injury. If there is an increased risk in such areas, by reducing the rate, the insurance rates can come down. The school should also allow students more opportunity to take off site electives/courses from offsite accredited institutions. These classes offer no overhead costs to the Glenbard School system.

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

Many careers involve technology and technology is expensive. The school district needs to ensure that equipment it purchases have been tested to allow for long term use. Sometimes, it costs less to pay more up front for well built and long lasting pieces of equipment than than its is to pay less for inexpensive items that need continual replacement. You need to look at long term costs. If you can buy a bunch of digital microscopes for less money, because the technology is dated, but in a couple years they will be obsolete, have your really saved anything?

Please add any other information pertinent to your campaign.

I am a candidate that is in support of full PE waivers for students as legislatively allowed by the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE). The ISBE has conducted numerous studies on PE waivers and feels strongly enough they should be allowed, and they are written into law. The vast majority of school districts allow these waivers such as New Trier, Naperville, York, Lake Park, and Downers Grove and our students are disadvantaged. It should be up to a parent and student to use the choices allowed to them, by law, in deciding what courses they feel may best shape their future academically, when the opportunity is there.