Brian Skibinski - Incumbent
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Brian Skibinski has 20 years of experience working in public schools. He is running for his second term and is currently the Frankfort 157c Board of Education Secretary. Brian served on the district’s strategic planning committee over the summer and is the board liaison to the district’s safety committee.
He is also an executive officer in the Three Rivers division in the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB). Brian believes all students, regardless of ability, and their families deserve to have the resources they need to succeed in Frankfort 157c and beyond. |
Questions | Answers
According to the Illinois Association of School Boards, one crucial characteristic of a school board member is the ability to represent the entire community and not special interest or partisan groups. What will you do to support the needs of the diverse population within our community?
I have always made it my goal in anything I do to listen to every perspective and take into account the opinions of others in decision making. As a part of the school board for the past four years, parents, taxpayers, teachers, and even students have talked to me and written me regarding their opinions.
I always made sure to listen, and present the opinions of everyone who has written me to the board. I think it is important that all opinions are heard by all of us, not just those who express their opinion publicly. It is paramount that we make sure as a school board we represent every voice in our community regardless of how they express it.
How would you address the increasing concerns surrounding mental health and bullying within schools? Please be specific with changes you would like to see or additions you would recommend.
Over the past few years, the general topic of mental health (adult and child) has become extremely important. Good, positive mental health is vital to any child’s academic achievement. If basic needs are not being met, we cannot expect a child to achieve their ultimate potential.
I want to provide a little background on what the district is already doing in regards to social-emotional learning.
Finally, as part of the strategic plan, those that were involved stressed the continual need for social-emotional learning as a priority for all students. With that said, I believe the district is currently doing everything it can with the resources currently in place. It is important that we look to see how all these interventions are working and continue to optimize or improve where needed. I know the district will continue to provide our staff the necessary training in social-emotional learning.
Do you feel it is a conflict of interest to have financial investments with any companies that our district contracts with? Why or why not?
Yes, it is an absolute conflict of interest. Just as a school board member should not be supported by partisan groups or special interests in order to make decisions that are best for all, I believe this is the same and even more important with financial investments with companies. The school district should always seek multiple proposals and always consider the lowest responsible bidder who also meets the district’s expectations of quality.
With that said, I do believe it is extremely valuable to have business owners as board members because they are able to bring in different perspectives from their specific industry or trades and provide firsthand recommendations that can protect the school district. However, I also think that it is important that they abstain from voting if their business is considered in a proposal.
I have always made it my goal in anything I do to listen to every perspective and take into account the opinions of others in decision making. As a part of the school board for the past four years, parents, taxpayers, teachers, and even students have talked to me and written me regarding their opinions.
I always made sure to listen, and present the opinions of everyone who has written me to the board. I think it is important that all opinions are heard by all of us, not just those who express their opinion publicly. It is paramount that we make sure as a school board we represent every voice in our community regardless of how they express it.
How would you address the increasing concerns surrounding mental health and bullying within schools? Please be specific with changes you would like to see or additions you would recommend.
Over the past few years, the general topic of mental health (adult and child) has become extremely important. Good, positive mental health is vital to any child’s academic achievement. If basic needs are not being met, we cannot expect a child to achieve their ultimate potential.
I want to provide a little background on what the district is already doing in regards to social-emotional learning.
- The district has created a professional development plan focused on guiding our teachers through working with students to develop strategies centered around coping with stress, anxiety, bullying, and peer conflicts. These training are led by our own district staff members who have subject matter expertise.
- We have school social workers, psychologists and a board-certified behavior analyst in our district.
- The district uses the Second Step curriculum in K-5 which simply are lessons that provide each student the ability to become more self-aware of their thoughts and emotions, to become more responsible in their decisions and develop skills in building relationships. The lessons at Grand Prairie and Chelsea are taught on a weekly basis and also include family resources for that lesson.
- At Hickory Creek, students have a daily advisory where teachers use the teachings of Second Step but also focus on skills like homework preparation, study skills, and team building. These lessons across all grade levels are the building blocks to life skills and foundation to being a responsible human who values respect, responsibility and kindness.
- The district ran a Tiger University for parents specifically on Second Step and for those who could not attend, it was recorded and placed on the district’s website.
- The district also continues to implement a Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) at each school which includes social workers, principals, deans and school psychologists where these individuals continue to learn and develop the signs of students that might be struggling with their emotional health. A plan is then created to provide assistance to these students.
- The district is also working to provide supports to our teachers and staff by providing subscriptions to the Calm app, providing positive healthy challenges in district and having mindfulness and meditation days.
Finally, as part of the strategic plan, those that were involved stressed the continual need for social-emotional learning as a priority for all students. With that said, I believe the district is currently doing everything it can with the resources currently in place. It is important that we look to see how all these interventions are working and continue to optimize or improve where needed. I know the district will continue to provide our staff the necessary training in social-emotional learning.
Do you feel it is a conflict of interest to have financial investments with any companies that our district contracts with? Why or why not?
Yes, it is an absolute conflict of interest. Just as a school board member should not be supported by partisan groups or special interests in order to make decisions that are best for all, I believe this is the same and even more important with financial investments with companies. The school district should always seek multiple proposals and always consider the lowest responsible bidder who also meets the district’s expectations of quality.
With that said, I do believe it is extremely valuable to have business owners as board members because they are able to bring in different perspectives from their specific industry or trades and provide firsthand recommendations that can protect the school district. However, I also think that it is important that they abstain from voting if their business is considered in a proposal.
