First and Last Name
Brandon Kroft
Campaign Email
bkroft26@gmail.com
Campaign Phone
(773) 301-5762
Social Media and Website Links
https://www.facebook.com/share/1DAWZscSUv/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Candidate Bio Information
I am a 1991 Graduate of Chesterton High School. I then graduated from Valparaiso University in 1995, and DePaul University College of Law in 1999. I have been employed by Cassiday Schade LLP since 2002, and have been a Partner since 2006. I am currently Co-Managing Partner of my firm. I moved back to Duneland shortly after graduating law school to raise my family here. Both of my children subsequently graduated from Chesterton High School.
Campaign Endoresements
Duneland Teachers Associate
Yes. I have been on the board since 2016. I was appointed to the Duneland School Board to fill the remaining two years of Ralph Ayres’ seat after he passed away in 2016. Mr. Ayres was my former teacher, so it has been an honor to serve in his seat since.
I regularly attend all meetings and special meetings of the School Board. I may have missed a couple in the last year due to conflicts, but that is a rare occurrence.
The Duneland Schools have seen continued improvement over the last several years thanks to the hard work of our students, teachers and administrators. The implementation of a guaranteed and viable curriculum across all our grade levels has been a huge benefit to the district and I want to make sure that the programs we have implemented to support this curriculum continue. This is going to require continuity in leadership within the district, as well as continuing to support our teachers to ensure we are hiring and retaining the best. Budget issues are also going to continue to be a big issue in the next several years, so we have to be as nimble as possible to make sure we continue to deliver the best education possible to our students.
I learned much in the 10 years I have served on the Board, including specifically in the areas of public school finance. The experience of being a board member during the COVID pandemic also taught me quite a bit about leadership and crises management. It seems like every day I am in this role we run into a unique issue, but I do feel that my experience allows me to a good Board Member.
Initially, the Duneland School community recently supported a new operating referendum, which was intended to specifically address these budget issues as much as possible. If all of the dire predictions we have received come true, even the funds we raise through the new referendum will not be enough to offset our losses. In that case, we will need to live within our means and reduce staff through attrition and find other places in our budget where we can reduce costs while not affecting our student's classroom experience. It will not be easy, but there will be no choice. The hope among many is that our State Government sees fit to make some changes to the law to fix some of the issues created through Senate Enrolled Act 1.
I have truly enjoyed serving our community through my service on the School Board. I feel the next few years are going to be pivotal for our district, and I would love to continue to serve our community and, in particular, our Duneland students. No matter what decision we make on the board, I also try to keep in mind how it will affect our students from the minute they get on the bus until they are home. Thank you for your consideration,
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
Candidate has not yet responded.
