Meet Your District 30 School Board Candidates: James Bream

Northbrook Patch sat down to ask questions of the five candidates vying for four open seats on the school board. Each day this week, we'll provide you with the answers from one of those candidates. Today's Q&A is with James Bream, a Glenview resident who has served on the board of education for three terms, the past two as president. He is an attorney whose four children all attended district schools.

Editor’s Note: Despite repeated attempts, Patch was unable to reach incumbent Yasmeen Bilimoria and newcomer John Smith. We were able to reach , who served on the school board from 2005 to 2009, and , who has served on the school board for the past eight years.

Patch: How would you assess the state of District 30's budget?

Bream: School District 30 has the benefit of a strong combined residential and commercial property tax base, a skilled and respected assistant superintendent for finance and operations, and a board of education that has been diligent about expenditures that provide the optimal delivery of services within our budgeted means. As a result, the budget in District 30, which is developed through a continual and yearlong process, is very healthy. We currently maintain very appropriate fund balances and have received top recognition from the state of Illinois for our financial status. Our budgeting process has allowed us to provide enhanced curriculum and technology services to our students and to undertake a facilities study to determine the best plan for our facilities structure and utility into the future.

Patch: If expenses need to be reduced, exactly what would you cut?

Bream: Although equipped with a strong financial status, I have consistently demanded fiscal responsibility. Expenditures are always measured against the benefit to the end-user—the student—and the board of education has requested exploration of areas in which savings can be realized. I believe that areas in which we should continue to explore expense reduction include joint purchasing agreements and consolidation of purchasing power with surrounding districts, overhead reduction through energy savings, personnel, and unnecessary duplication of services.

Patch: If more revenue needs to be raised, exactly what would you propose?

Bream: District 30 will benefit from the properties located in the Glen once the TIF is terminated and it is important that we remain vigilant about seeing the TIF through to its termination on a timely basis. At the same time, exploration of alternative revenue sources through our commercial neighbors, available grants and funds and a strong, guided and coordinated fundraising efforts through the district’s Educational Foundation.

Patch: Do you feel any changes need to be made in the curriculum?

Bream: District 30 has done a terrific job of updating curriculum on a regular basis. Important curriculum changes have been made to areas of writing, science and reading, while ongoing changes to curriculum for world languages and wellness will greatly enhance the educational experience of our children and further prepare them for success.

Patch: How would you assess the district’s expense-per-pupil ratio? Are taxpayers getting adequate value for their dollar?

Bream: For the 2009-2010 academic year, District 30’s cost per pupil was $16,683. District 30’s schools were also top-rated in Cook County. The performance of District 30 children against state standards is exceptional and our children’s performance once transitioned to high school is very strong. Finally, this district remains highly attractive to families seeking to find a community with exceptional standards of living and academic performance, which in turn translates to strong property values, even in current economic times. The taxpayers in this district are receiving excellent value for their dollar.

Patch: Are the district’s test scores adequate? If not, what specific measures should be taken to improve them?

Bream: No district should be satisfied with test scores that are simply adequate. At the same time, no district should be so consumed by test scores that overall academic achievement is sacrificed. Assessment in District 30 has been successfully integrated to permit class level and grade level differentiation, delivery of enrichment where indicated and planning to achieve individual student success across the academic year. Through benchmark testing, progress testing and MAP testing, as well as other assessment methods, District 30 has been at the forefront of developing a model to incorporate RtI into the delivery of daily services. Moreover, students have consistently achieved testing levels that exceed state and national standards and the district has consistently achieved annual yearly progress.

Patch: What’s on your wish list for facilities and technology and how would you pay for them?

Bream: The use of technology as an enhancing and interwoven tool across the curriculum is essential to preparing our students for tomorrow. I would like to see our district continue to pursue access to the tools of technology for all students, including the acceleration of access to information and availability of programming and hardware to improve the learning process. Facilities improvements would include dedicated space for performing arts and district-wide programming, and modernization of library space to incorporate technology and the availability of information and learning opportunities for tomorrow’s student. We have undertaken a facilities study to determine the availability within our current budget for improvements to our facilities and I would advocate that funding resources should exist within our current revenue resources and fund balances.

Patch: How would you describe morale among teachers and staff? How can it be improved?

Bream: There currently exists a very high level of morale among the district’s certified and non-certified staff, administrators and ancillary staff. I had the privilege of serving as the sole board representative during the last round of negotiations and can state that as a result of a collaborative negotiation process, we have engaged in vast improvements to professional development and assessment, planning and preparation and teacher orientation and mentoring, all of which have not only secured a high level of morale, but an unprecedented investment in the education of the district’s children.

Patch: Many districts have started programs for students in civil behavior and alcohol and drug prevention. Does this district need to adopt these or similar programs?

Bream: District 30 does not need to adopt or begin similar programs because District 30 has been a leader in effective education, wellness and making healthy choices. We have woven character education into every fabric of our curriculum and carry such lessens of integrity and civility throughout the entirety of the school day. I have been a persistent advocate for character education as a fundamental component of our educational services and it has remained as a Board goal for many years. I also have the honor of serving as the co-chair of CHARACTER COUNTS! in Glenview, a volunteer civic organization devoted to civility and citizenship throughout the entire village. Through integration of CHARACTER COUNTS!, Snowflake, partnerships with organizations such as Parent University and NCDAA, we have maintained a strong program of drug and alcohol awareness. I have urged the district to remain vigilant with respect to cyber-bullying and the district has committed substantial effort to raising awareness of cyber-responsibility and the reduction of cyber-bullying.

Patch: What else would you like voters to know about your positions on issues, point of view or qualifications?

Bream: Throughout my years of service I have been lead by the motivating inquiry of whether programming, curriculum, and budgeting has been in the best interests of the student in the building. I have consistently explored whether particular services at any point along the spectrum of student needs can benefit children across the range of services delivered to our pupils. I have also been guided by the concept that character education is essential to raising responsible citizens for tomorrow. I am married, the father of four children and currently completing my third term of service on the board of education and my second term as board president. I serve on numerous committees, have led the board negotiations team and act as liaison to the community...Finally, I have attended numerous workshops and continuing education programming to improve my skills as a board member.