Name: Roseanne Rosenthal
Position sought: Hinsdale Township High School District 86 Board of Education
Website: www.d86vote.com
Email address: D86Vote@gmail.com
Hometown: Hinsdale
Family: Husband James; sons Andrew, 30, and Daniel, 28
Education: Bachelor of Music in music education from State University of New York, College at Fredonia, and an M.S. and Ed.D. (music education) from Syracuse University.
Occupation: Professor of music education, VanderCook College of Music
Years in District 86: 29
Previous elected offices: Community Consolidated School District 181 school board member, president of the Illinois Music Education Association.
Applicable experience qualifying you for the position:
- Member, D181 Board of Education, 2007 – 2011
- President, VanderCook College of Music, 1989-2004 (Responsible for budget and finance, accreditation, personnel, curriculum, facilities and more.)
- Over 30 years experience as a music teacher educator
- Board member and president (2011-2013) of the Illinois Music Education Association
- Board member, Ada S. McKinley Community Services (1991 – 2000/2002 – present)
- A lifetime of professional experience in education working with future and practicing music teachers including visits to dozens of schools.
What is the primary reason you are running for this office?
Education is my career and my passion. I believe that education is the foundation upon which our culture rests and is an essential element of living a meaningful life. I also believe that community members should accept responsibility for the stewardship of organizations they value. When I was younger, raising a family and establishing a career, I relied upon others to be good stewards of our schools. I am now at a point in my life where I would like to return the favor to the community by doing what I can to care for our schools.
What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?
My single most important priority is to build upon the excellent school system that currently exists so that all children of all abilities have the opportunity to reach their highest potential.
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
I have decades of experience in the arts and music education in addition to experience in school administration. I also have decades of experience working with prospective and practicing teachers so I am familiar with the concerns of those working on the front lines of education. These experiences blend with my experience as a parent of D86 graduates, a local school board member and work with other boards.
What do you believe is District 86’s biggest strength?
D86's greatest strength is the community of parents, citizens, teachers, administrators and others who demonstrate significant commitment to educational excellence.
What do you believe is District 86’s biggest weakness?
Like many schools, I believe D86 needs to continually find ways to reach out to those students who are “in the middle,” neither qualifying for advanced placement classes nor for special assistance. Computer-assisted technology, social support systems, an unconditional high regard for all students, and multiple points of entry to challenging subject areas may be helpful. With a district with so many that achieve at very high levels, and where many turn to outside tutoring for help, it is important that no child of average means or intelligence ever feel left out or left behind.
Do you support the district’s ruling in favor of Hinsdale South staff on a parent’s curriculum objection last year of the showing of American Beauty and Brokeback Mountain? Do such movies have a place in high school classrooms?
I support the district’s ruling regarding the showing of movies with objectionable content. I do not believe in censorship but I respect a parent’s right to approve their child’s participation.
Many of our students will enroll in college humanities programs where similarly controversial material will be encountered. Others may choose to enter fields where issues like these arise. Others will choose to see the movies on their own or will encounter them in their own lives. A thoughtfully prepared high school class will help students discuss controversial issues maturely and honestly.
In terms of a school district, how would you describe a board that is fiscally responsible? Does District 86 currently have a fiscally responsible board?
A fiscally responsible board 1) engages in careful oversight of finances; 2) assures that highly competent individuals are managing the school’s finances on a day-to-day basis; 3) balances long-term financial oversight with short term concerns; 4) understands the school code with respect to budget, finance, and taxation; 5) understands the cash flow of the school; and 6) discusses school financial issues openly and honestly..
I believe that the current D86 board members’ decisions have been fiscally responsible.
Related Pages:
- Election 2013: District 86 Board of Education
- Claudia Manley
- Victor Casini
- Dennis Brennan
- DeeDee Gorgol
- Kay Gallo
- Edward Corcoran
- Roger Kempa
