Sandra Ficke-Bradford: Barrington 220 School Board Candidate

Name:  Sandra Ficke-Bradford

Age: 45

Family: Married 19.5 years, 3 children ages 13, 11, and 7

Education:

• NORTHWESTERN UNIVERSITY, Evanston, IL Masters of Science in Engineering Management, June 1999  Minor Telecommunications

• PURDUE UNIVERSITY, West Lafayette, IN Bachelors of Science in Industrial Engineering, May 1990  Minor Spanish
• Certified Change Agent
• Six Sigma Black Belt in statistics

Occupation:  Director Legal Operations, Law Department Motorola Solutions, Inc., 17 years.

Previous Elected or Appointed Offices (please include years of service):

Barrington 220 Board of Education Member 2009-present

• Secretary 2012-present (elected by my fellow board colleagues)
• Member of Finance Committee 2009-present
• Member of Enrollment Monitoring Committee 2009-present
• Member of the Labor Management Committee 2009-present
• Member of the Insurance Committee 2011-present
• Member of the Resource Allocation Committee 2000-present

Other community involvement:

Barrington 220 Enrollment Monitoring Committee 2007-2009

• Co-Chairperson 2007-2009
• Responsible for making recommendations to the Board of Education and administration. 

Barrington United Methodist Church

• Futures Committee, Barrington United Methodist Church, 2004-2005
• Building Committee Member and Head of Interiors Sub-Committee, 2000-2003

Position sought:Board of Education Member

Campaign E-mail address:bradfordfamily@ameritech.net

Campaign Website: http://re-electpennyandsandrafor220.org/

Campaign Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/pages/Re-Elect-Penny-and-Sandra-for-220-School-Board/395858940510535

 Why are you running?

 I am dedicated to maximizing Barrington 220 resources to provide a well-rounded academic educational experience for the children of Barrington 220.  In the coming years, the education profession will continue to experience change.  My current experience on the school board and my professional career uniquely qualify me as a school board member and enable me to be effective immediately.  I am honored to have your support in the April 2013 election.

My husband Neal and I settled in Barrington 12 years ago in order to send our children – Emma (13), Jackson (11) and Maxwell (7) - to Barrington Schools.  I am active in the school community, church community, have taught adult literacy, and participated in various professional organizations.  Our children participate in many extra-curricular activities in the community and school district including, Middle School Drama and Musicals, Orchestra, Dual Language, Musical Theatre and Dance via local Barrington businesses, Barrington Youth Football, Barrington Youth Baseball, and Barrington Broncos Youth Wrestling.  As a parent, I have witnessed how important these activities are in building confidence, resilience, and understanding the importance of teamwork.

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

For the past four years, I have passionately served on the Barrington 220 Board of Education.  I have served on many district committees and was involved the strategic planning.   I listen to the community and voice their concerns and praise.  I have been involved with introducing new curriculum, technology and continued social emotional learning at all education levels, negotiated two contracts with the teachers and contributed to a balanced budget each year served.

I have also worked for Motorola Solutions for 17 years.  I am currently the Director of Legal Operations for the Law Department.  My responsibilities applicable to my school board service include:

• Risk management
• Change Management
• Creating and institutionalizing Corporate Policy
• Increasing operational efficiencies across legal, finance and sales

My professional work and my work with the school district complement each other well.  I also have held several positions of community service through Motorola Solutions.

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

 The biggest challenge will be financial planning in these uncertain times.  The Board needs to continue its proactive engagement with local, state and federal legislators to keep them informed of how proposed legislature could impact Barrington 220.  The Board also has representation with ED RED and needs to continue to leverage this resource to advocate for the needs to the children and residents of Barrington 220.

What do you think the district does well? 

Barrington 220 provides excellent education to the children of the community.  The curriculum is constantly tested and revised to meet the demands of the community while also adhering to and anticipating state mandates.   The administration and educators are frequently setting the benchmarks to which other districts refer.

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

The Barrington 220 School Board will face a number of key decisions during the next four years and will need our proven leadership and decision making skills as we navigate these difficult decisions.

· Common Core Standards

· Performance Evaluation Reform Act

· Superintendent Succession

· Budget Planning with uncertain funding

· Instructional Technology

· 20/20 Vision Strategic Plan