Penny Kazmier: Barrington 220 Candidate

Name:  Penny Kazmier

Age:  49

Family:   husband, John, of 29 years – four children, Kyle, Keith, Kailey & Kelsey

Education:   HS, some college

Occupation:   Homemaker

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices (please include years of service):

Barrington 220 School Board member since 2005, six years as vice-president 

Other community involvement:

Barrington 220 Advisory Committees 1992-2005

•  
  • Middle School Advisory Committee Member
  • Middle School Focus Group Member
  • Community Leaders Committee Member
  • District 220 Strategic Plan Advisory Committee Member
  • Grove Avenue School
    • School Improvement Team Member
  • Barrington Middle School – Prairie
    • School Improvement Team Member
• Citizens Alliance 220 (CA 220)
  • Education Committee Member

Community Leadership and Involvement...

• Chairperson - District 220 PTO Presidents’ Council 2003-2005
• Vice Chair-person – Projects Barrington 220 Educational Foundation 2001-2005
  • Accomplishments include:
    • BHS TV project development
    • "Beyond 220"- Adult Community Education Program
    • Star Lab—portable planetarium
    • "Helping Hand” & "Opportunities for Excellence” Grant development
• Chairperson, "Protect Our Investment In Education” referendum committee 2003-2004
• St. Michael’s Episcopal Church
  • Vestry (Board) Member 1998-2001
  • Co-Chairperson, Capital Fundraising
  • Co-Chairperson, Annual Stewardship Campaign
• St. Michael’s Little Angels Christian Preschool
  • School Board Member 2001-2003
  • By law Review Committee
• Barbara B. Rose Elementary School PTO
  • President 2000 – 2003
  • 1st Vice President – Fundraising
  • School Board Representative
  • Budget planning
  • By-Law Creation & Review Committees
  • Membership & Nominating
  • Webmaster
• BMS – Prairie Campus PTO
  • 1st Vice President
  • 2nd Vice President
  • Staff "Wish List” Committee Chairperson
  • Membership & Nominating Committee
  • By law Review Committee
• Grove Elementary School PTO
  • Vice President
  • Carnival Co-Chairperson
  • Secretary
  • Buildings & Grounds Chairperson
  • By law Review Committee Member
  • "Wish List” Committee Member
• Barrington High School PTO
  • School Board Representative
  • Newsletter Editor
  • Welcoming Committee Co-Chairperson
• Parent & Child Education Society (PACES)
  • Vice President
  • Finance Committee Member
  • Ronald McDonald House Representative

Position sought:        Barrington 220 School Board Member

Campaign E-mail address:  pennykazmier@gmail.com

Campaign committee:  Friends of Penny and Sandra for 220

Campaign Website:  www.re-electPennyandSandrafor 220.org

Campaign Facebook:  Re-elect Penny and Sandra for 220 School Board

Why are you running?

I have been a volunteer for more than 20 years in the Barrington 220 community and am passionate about our schools. I am dedicated to maintaining the quality of Barrington 220 schools as we continue to experience a time significant change in education. My experience and willingness to spend whatever amount of time necessary to ensure the continued quality of education provided in our schools is needed now more than ever. I believe my proven decision making ability, leadership and knowledge continue to be needed on the Barrington 220 School Board as we face the unpredictability of state and federal funding, changes related to curriculum and assessment with the implementation of Common Core Standards, and other substantial changes on the horizon in education.

I would be honored to continue serving the Barrington 220 community.

In what ways would the school district benefit from your service?

Barrington 220 will continue to benefit from my service, because my experience will be helpful in navigating challenges like curriculum implementation, incorporating PERA into the next teachers' contract, proper execution of Common Core and budgeting in a time of financial uncertainty. 

Despite challenges in state funding, the district has been able to maintain its award winning educational product and receive a Strong AAA Bond rating by Standard and Poor's, one of only eight in the nation.  I have been a part of the decision making that has led to these accolades and believe it is essential that Barrington 220 has board members with proven decision making ability and experience as it moves through the next four years. 

What is the biggest challenge the school district faces and what should be done to address it?

The district will face a number of challenges over the next four years.  As mentioned before, the incorporation of PERA into the next teachers' contract, proper execution and support for the Common Core, and the continued uncertainty in state and federal funding will continue to be challenges.  In addition, Superintendent Succession planning must also be a priority.  

Incorporating student achievement into teacher evaluation (PERA) needs to be done carefully and attention needs to be given to providing proper training for evaluators. 

The Common Core Standards are upon us and Barrington 220 is being required to make changes in its educational programming.  This being said, Barrington 220 is in a better position than many districts due to our already quality educational program, but changes still need to be made which require new curriculum and assessment, changes that require additional assistance for students and significant staff development for teachers. 

Uncertainty in state and federal funding, along with concerns related to the possibility of pension funding shift to the district or teachers, require careful planning and conservative budgeting.  As part of the current board, I have been a part of budgeting for annual decreases in state and federal funding, as well as budgeting in anticipation of some pension responsibility being shifted to Barrington 220.  Careful budgeting will protect the district from needing to make draconian cuts in programming as experienced in other districts. 

Superintendent succession will also be a top priority for those elected this April, as Dr. Leonard's contract will expire during their term.  Selecting the right person for this position in Barrington 220 is paramount and this responsibility should not be taken lightly.  My experience in this area will prove valuable during this process, since I have already worked with an international superintendent search firm and interviewed candidates for the position. 

What do you think the district does well?

I believe the district delivers an excellent education product.  The district has committed to annual curriculum renewal, staff development and support for teachers seeking advanced degrees.  Nothing can replace a highly qualified teacher in front of a classroom who also provides excellent individualized instruction to all students.  

Barrington 220 is also always "ahead of the pack" when it comes to proactive policy implementation.  Many of our policies, such as the concussion policy, have been used as models for other districts since Barrington was one of the first districts in the state to adopt such a policy. 

What should be some of the school district’s priorities over the next four years?

During the next four years the district should continue its conservative budgeting practices to keep from having to deficit spend or make draconian cuts.  Barrington 220 should also continue its efforts in the area of curriculum renewal.  In addition, as mentioned before, the district should also stay its course related to Common Core and PERA.  

What else would you like voters to know?

I believe I bring a unique perspective to the Barrington 220 School Board.  I have had four children receive their entire K-12 education in our schools and have served as a volunteer for more than 20 years.  I believe excellent schools draw people to our community and help property values.  Maintaining this quality education should be in the forefront of a board members mind at all times.  I bring eight years of board experience to the table, plus all of the time I have spent on advisory committees and in a volunteer capacity.  My experience is invaluable and my proven decision making ability is needed as we enter a time of uncertainty in education.