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Health & Fitness

Adventures in Politics Or Less Than A Week To Go

Jennifer Crick, Cary District 26 School Board candidate continues her reflections on what it means to run for office in a small town, and what it has meant for her personally.

Yesterday morning my first blog post went live, and to say I am overwhelmed by the responses to it would be a severe understatement.  I have been contacted by parents of friends I grew up with, college sorority sisters, friends, and family, waving the "Go Jen!" flag of endorsement.  Most importantly, because of my involvement in so many community activities, people all over the town of Cary have been approaching me, offering support.  At this point, I don't even know how to respond anymore, since the feelings of gratitude and appreciation for the trust so many people will put in me at the voting booth next week have made me realize that vying for a spot on the Cary School Board was the right decision to make.

 

I'd like to use this post as a sort of "FAQ" forum, as I have had people ask me some questions that deserve some answers. 

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Question: (overheard recently at my gym during an especially tough workout) "Jen Crick, why am I JUST now learning about you running for the school board?"

Answer:  My husband (John) and I discussed running for the board long and hard.  Our biggest concern is how this will all affect our three kids (John age 9, Nate age 7 and Madilynn age 6) in the long run. 

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How will all of this affect our family?  Truth be told, I am not an "in your face" campaigner.  I am with my children everywhere in this community, from basketball practices, to baseball and softball games, on the soccer fields, and at souting events.  I personally do not feel it is appropriate to be campaigning and asking for votes when it is "their time".  There is a time and a place to discuss politics and school board issues, and at local Easter egg hunts is not one of them.   

Scott Epstein and I have also discussed this issue, and we both agree, we are first and foremost parents, which in the end makes us excellent candidates to represent what is in the best interests for the children of Cary. 

We strongly believe in advocating for those who may not have a voice, and the presumed stability of the district promotes the status quo of not considering the students first and formost.  We are looking to change that.

This is more than just a show for Scott Epstein and I; more than just a display of signs and posters and inaccurately reported endorsement by the Daily Herald (the only candidates who served on the Curriculum Committee were incumbents, thus, in my opinion invalidating the criteria for the endorsement).  Scott and I have been regularly attending board meetings for more than two years at this point, and we are both very well versed in the true issues at hand.  Changes are critical for District 26 at this point, changes highlighted in yesterday's blog regarding my stance on "Accountability", "Transparency", and "Communication".

Question: "So with all the things you want to change, what do you see as positives in the District"?

Answer: Being a Developmental Therapist who works in family homes throughout McHenry county with several clients in Cary means that I work with children from birth to three years of age.  At three years old, some of my clients then transition into the school system, into early childhood programming.

I always feel good transitioning my clients into the Cary School Early Childhood program, as I feel that bar none, it is the best in the county.  Our Special Services department has done an amazing job servicing the special needs students in our community- so good in fact that we now host students from Fox River Grove in our ECE programs.   

Beyond ECE, I have heard and experienced first hand how well the District plans and executes an IEP (or an Individualized Education Plan) for students who need them.  This is absolutely a strength and testament to our district, and as special needs children hold a special place in my heart, it's something I am proud of our district for.

The District is also on it's way toward financial stability, and has presented a balanced budget several years running now.  I am a little concerned however, that projections show that by FY 2017 we will again be facing financial challenges, but Scott and I have discussed at length potential strategies for averting another crisis.  Both Scott and I applaud the balanced budget, and the financial reporting awards the District has recently received,  but we want to make sure that the money we have is being spent appropriately and in the right places.

Another positive in this District is the teachers.  My three children have had amazing teachers, who catered to their strengths and supported their academically weak areas, encouraging their growth as students. 

And while I believe wholeheartedly in the work the teachers are doing, I see the need for increased professional development, especially with the new Common Core Curriuculum adoption, technology purchases, and the PARCC assessments.  Supporting teacher development in these areas can only make the learning experiences for our children stronger, and I applaud the teachers who have sought out training and development on their own time and dime.

The election is less than a week away.  In the end, no matter what happens, I am proud of Cary.  Cary reminds me of the small town I grew up in, where everybody knows everybody, it takes you two hours to buy five things at the local grocery store because you run into your friends and neighbors, and people by word of mouth spread word like wildfire to support you and your convictions.  I have truly learned during the course of this campaign process what it means to be part of this community, and I am amazed.

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