https://www.cookcountyclerkil.gov/elections/ways-to-vote
Early Vote Starts: Monday MARCH 20
Election Day: Tuesday APRIL 4
cramer4d211@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/MarkCramer4D211
Mark Cramer was elected to the Board of Education in April 2019. He is a retired U.S. Navy Commander, who served on active duty for 21 years, from June 1971 until October 1992. A naval aviator, he was an aircraft commander flying the H-46 helicopter for land and at sea operations including day/night all-weather resupply, personnel transport, and search and rescue missions. He served in significant leadership, operational, and senior staff assignments during his career. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding leadership, exceptional administrative ability, and personal initiative. His post-military career included positions in fundraising for Not-for-Profit agencies providing services ranging from homeless shelters, child protection, adult residential, and developmentally disabled services for adults & children. He spent 10 years as an information IT programmer/analyst, database administrator, and project manager with two fortune 500 companies. He is a 1967 graduate of Conant High School and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign). He is the parent of two Hoffman Estates High School graduates. He serves as Board liaison on the following committees: Administrative Policy Group and Booster Club.
Husband, Father, Veteran
Experienced in Business and Non-Profit Organizations
Invested in the Community
Proven Record of Honest Service to Community and Country
Highest Level of Integrity and Ethics
* Use of Images depicting Commander Cramer's career does not imply endoesrment by the Department of the Navy or Department of Defense.
What Makes Mark "Tick"
We MUST ensure students' needs are met, no matter their chosen path:
college, skilled trades, military, workforce, fine arts, community service….
I will continue to advocate for increased transparency.
All voices in our community need to be heard when decisions are made that
affect our community and our schools.
PARENTS MATTER
I am dedicated to maintaining affordability to live in the D211 area for
everyone in our community, at all income levels through fair taxation.
MARK's PRIORITY GOALS
CRITICAL ISSUES
Administration’s relationship with parents
Curriculum
Academics – focus on ELA student achievement gap.
Safety and Security
Recover from the COVID achievement gap
FAQ
Do you support the Board’s tax levy increase each year? Why or why not?
NO. I have voted no 3 times and could not attend the December 2022 BOE meeting as I was traveling to attend the funeral of my mother-in-law. Ironically, it narrowly passed with a 3-2 vote.
During my tenure the levy has been increased to the PTELL limit four of four times. The dependent annual budgets have consistently over estimated expenses and underestimated revenue. In the last 4 cycles the reserves (aka “money in the bank”) have grown from ~$145.25 million in Dec 2020 to a peak of ~$225.00 million in March 2022. Currently the fund balances are ~$112.8 million due to late property tax bills by inept Cook County. When the final installments are processed and set to D211 the fund balances will increase dramatically back to the previous excessive high level.
Do you support or oppose the current D211 school board’s decision to adopt the National Sex Ed Standards?
OPPOSE. The State “mandated” a SexEd curriculum that the community does not want. Furthermore, when I voted “No”, I was concerned that the government overreach of telling parents what and how to teach their children about sex was not over and would be in motion that all schools implement the curriculum with NO opting out. Supplemental teaching material was not identified. The window for parents to opt their student(s) out is too short.
Do you support the presence of Student Resources Officers in the schools?
YES. SRO’s provide a level of security that civilians cannot, including arrest, use of lethal force when necessary, and immediate contact with the Police Department. Additionally, SRO’s enforce restraining orders, and are aware of certain law enforcement items pertaining to students that are not known to the Administration.