Thumbnail Profile: Evanston resident since 1980; B.S. in Mathematics; 30 years in retirement plan services; with Transamerica, The Chicago Trust Company, ABN AMRO Trust Services Company; Entrepreneurial experience as a partner in a software development firm; Parent of three ETHS alumni.
Civic activities: Incumbent D202 School Board member; Baseball coach, Evanston Baseball & Softball Association (EBSA) (13 years), including three years as President; Chairman, Mayor’s Blue Ribbon Committee on Police and Fire Pension Plans; board member, City of Evanston Playground & Recreation Board (8 years), including two terms as president; founding board member, ETHS Foundation; volunteer basketball and baseball coach, Dewey, Nichols and ETHS.
The importance of preparing students to be on track for college and career readiness, what the Board should do to ensure that is done:
“I believe that in order to have productive, fulfilling lives and realize their dreams in the emerging global economy, all students will need to receive formal education beyond ETHS.”
“Many students will attend colleges or universities. Others will gravitate towards trade schools, technical training programs, apprenticeships and various forms of on-the-job training. ETHS must prepare all students for education that lies ahead in a way that gives them a leg up on their competition.”
“The Board of Education must make sure that the content and skills taught in our classrooms are aligned with the requirements of post-secondary education. Moreover, Board members must enlist the support of the entire community in promoting effective effort by students and raising expectations for the achievement of all students.”
A summary of two or three top priorities as a Board member:
“My top priorities as a Board member include improving curriculum and instruction for all students, effectively managing ETHS through the current economic crisis, and improving external communications.”
“Curriculum must be rigorous, relevant and well aligned with the content and skills students need as they move forward in their academic careers. The quality of instruction must be continually improved. This means we must hire great teachers, provide professional development opportunities, and constantly monitor and evaluate teacher performance, providing constructive feedback that will improve their effectiveness in the classroom. We must create a culture of learning wherein all students are expected to achieve to their greatest potential.”
“The Board must carefully manage the budget through these difficult times by adhering to values-based budgeting. This is a philosophy that includes keeping cuts away from essential teaching and learning functions as long as possible. We must also deploy limited capital wisely and keep our reserve accounts well funded.”
“Preparing our children for the future is an enormous and momentous task. In order to do our best for our children, ETHS needs an effective partnership with parents, community-based organizations, religious institutions and the community at large. ETHS must communicate with its constituencies more thoroughly, clearly, consistently and transparently.”
What Mr. Metz says he brings to the table that would make him an effective Board member:
“I have a clear understanding of the crucial role that education plays in the lives of our young people.”
“I am goal oriented and data driven. I believe in clearly defined long-term goals, clear measurements of progress and Board action.”
“I have a leadership style that is based on consensus building that helps the Board move forward.”
“My business and financial background is an essential asset in helping to guide ETHS through these troubled economic times.”
Mark Metz’s website is
metzforeths.com
These profiles were compiled by theRoundTable based on information provided by the five candidates for the District 202 School Board. The RoundTable asked each candidate to provide background information and to respond to three questions: 1) What is your view on the importance of preparing students to be on track for college and career readiness, and what the Board should do, if anything, to ensure that is done?; 2) Provide a summary of two or three or your top priorities as a Board member; and 3) what do you bring to the table that would make you an effective Board member? The RoundTable set a word limit for these three questions, so the candidates’ responses should be regarded as only a summary of their views. For a more complete exposition of their views, the RoundTable encourages readers to visit the candidates’ websites (listed below), attend one or more of the candidate forums, or attend a coffee.