Jerry Keaton: Barrington 220 Candidate

Name:  Jerry Keaton   

Age: 48
Family:  Married with two children; ages 10 and 7   
Education:  B.B.A. Finance, University of Iowa
Occupation: Financial Advisor; Barrington Asset Management 
Previous Elected or Appointed Offices (please include years of service):

Other community involvement: Barrington Honor Ride and Run Board, Hough PTO parent, Indian Princess Father,
Position sought: District 220 School Board     
Campaign E-mail address (for publication):  jerrykeaton@hotmail.com       

Campaign Facebook:  Friends of Jerry Keaton

 Why are you running? 

To continue and grow the excellent educational program we have in Barrington.  Provide financial stewardship to the community, and help develop a sustainable strategic plan that is achievable and fair to the residents, students, teacher and administrators

 In what ways would the school district benefit from your service?

 As a parent of children in the district and a financial professional, my skills and understanding can be utilized to create a sustainable and achievable long-term vision that encompasses financial controls with the commitment to high performance in our schools.  In addition, coming from a family of 6 former or current teachers, I would able to address future agendas with greater understanding.   

 What is the biggest challenge the school district faces and what should be done to address it?

I believe the biggest challenge the district faces is financial.  The State of Illinois is in such dire financial straits that very impactful decisions will need to be made.  The district will need to balance carefully its commitment to high scholastic achievement, the incorporation of knowledge enhancing technology, future teacher and administration contracts  with financial uncertainties, from not only the state, federal but local level as well.

 What do you think the district does well?

 The district does a great job of addressing those students that need additional attention.  It also has wonderful programs in place that challenge  students above and beyond scholastically.  Thirdly, the district needs to be commended on the extracurricular and fine arts programs that are available to its students.

What should be some of the school district’s priorities over the next four years?

A commitment ensuring strong academic performance across all levels of the student population.  Creating an effective and sustainable budget and strategic plan that collects the support of Barrington stakeholders.  Attracting and retention of  high caliber teachers.   A commitment to technology, and the knowledge it can instill, making our students competitive, not only nationally, but globally.