District 112 School Board Candidate Q&A: Bruce Hyman

Background: Bruce Hyman, M.D., has lived in Highland Park for 16 years and is running for re-election to the District 112 School Board. He has three children who have attended or are attending District 112 schools. He's . 

Highland Park Patch: Why run for the school board?

Bruce Hyman: As a current board member, it was a difficult decision to seek re-election. In the current climate, with issues of financial instability, No Child Left Behind and numerous other active matters facing not only District 112, but all publicly elected officials across the country, I feel that I bring the best skill base to the board to help navigate the path. This was further emphasized by many in the community that asked me to run again. With the outpouring of support from the community, I decided to run again.

HP Patch: What do you see as the role of the school board? How activist should it be?

Hyman: I have always felt that the role of the board is that of oversight. In the true governance model, the superintendent has the responsibility of day to day operations. The board oversees the development of policies as well as overseeing that both the mission and the strategic plan of the district are followed in the delivery of education to the children the district serves. At the same time, this is balanced against sound financial management in a landscape of uncertainty. Lastly, doing all this with as much transparency that is allowed under the law.  With respect to activism, a board always needs to push the envelope. Members need to be open not only to ideas of fellow board members, the administration, the teaching staff, but to the community as a whole. Over my six year tenure, on a number of occasions, programs or initiatives were implemented because issues were initially brought to the board in a grass roots nature.

HP Patch: What are some of the things you would like to see change if elected?

Hyman: I would like to continue to see community involvement as was seen in the strategic planning process. This could be expanded in other so that the community can have input on critical issues facing the district. We may want to record the committee of the whole meetings as more information is being discussed so that the community can be fully aware of issues.

HP Patch: What personal traits do you believe are important in a school board candidate?

Hyman: I believe listening is the most important. Others include critical thinking, ability to work with others, no hidden agenda, asking questions so you have all the answers to make and evaluate issues, and remembering that you are doing this for all the children that the district serves.

HP Patch: Given the state of the economy and dwindling budgets, how would you distribute funding? Which programs would you recommend cutting?

Hyman: The most important issue that any board member will say in this unstable economic times is to minimize any impact on children. I have asked the administration for this year, as well as last year, a comprehensive list of every possible area across the district that reductions could be made. I believe that having everything on the table allows a board to make a decisions. This includes not only the community to have input, but administrators and teachers weigh in. I don't believe that entire programs need to be cut or eliminated, rather a thorough evaluation that each program is delivered in a financially sound manner, but at the same time not sacrificing the the student educational value. 

HP Patch: Two schools in District 112 have not made Adequate Yearly Progress by the standards of No Child Left Behind. What are some things the school board can do to help the schools meet these standards?

Hyman: Continue to explore the reasons why any school or subgroup within a school did not make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). From that, develop an action plan to provide the needed services, and if those services are not available in the school, then to bring them in. This is something that the board has done over the years. As any board member in any district in the country will tell you, although the concept of No Child Left Behind is right. We definitely want all children to excel, the punitive nature as well as the labeling is completely against empowering children to succeed. The concept of differentiated delivery of education along with the use of intervention blocks is an example of how the district is making strives to meet AYP at all its schools. 

HP Patch: How can the school board effectively promote partnerships between all parents, teachers and the board?

Hyman: One way is to have a better district and school internet portal, which has been approved and should be ready for the next school year. This will allow parents and the community to be fully aware of student, school and district issues. Also, continuing to be transparent with district issues. Continue to involve parents and community members, such as what was done with the strategic planning process. Work with other local governmental units, such as District 113, Cities of Highland Park and Highwood and the Park District to name a few. Lastly, to have open lines of communication with our teaching staff.