LM Oct 2019

O N E W A D D I T I O N S T O T E A M :

Benjamin Boer: Director of Research and Data Analysis We are thrilled to add Ben Boer to the IASA team in the newly created role of director of research and data analysis. Ben will be a tremendous asset this legislative session. Below is a short Q&A with Ben to help you learn more about him and his new role at IASA. Q : Whydidyouwant toworkfor IASA?

Having worked with IASA on funding, I got the opportunity to work with many districts across the state. All the superintendents that I worked with are incredibly dedicated to their craft and to supporting students. IASA provides an opportunity to work with a cross section of districts that, I hope, I can help through the use of data and research. Q : Whatpastexperienceshaveyouhad thatpreparedyoufor thisopportunity? I have been a data guy for a long time. My background is in computer science and I worked as the Vice President of Technology for a company that sold software systems to school districts. The goal of the software was to help districts improve their data use in supporting professional development and later with student achievement data. As I have worked in policy the last 10 years, using data to support policy decisions, in particular the development of the Evidence-based funding model was a jumping off point for the current position. Q : Whatwill beyour roleandduties withIASA? All things data! And the use of research as well. As Brent has discussed, the coming years will continue to see conversations about funding, taxes, student achievement, and accountability. The ability to bring data to each of these conversations will be key to making decisions. For example, while property taxes are somewhat higher than the national average in Illinois, the degree that they are too high is proportionally less than our state investment in education is too low. Lowering property taxes without a dramatic increase in investment (above and beyond the minimum level now being invested) would be very hard for districts.

Bio information Hometown: Harrington Park, New Jersey Current City: Chicago Education: B.S. and M.S., Brown University

M.P.P. University of Chicago Pursuing Doctorate Education Policy Studies Wife, Rachel; Kids, Charlotte (14) and Mia (11)

Family:

Q : What’sonethingaboutyouthat wouldsurprisepeople? That’s really hard! Perhaps how much I like the outdoors. I like to mountain bike and hike. My wife, kids and I went to Alaska for our 20th wedding anniversary and went sea kayaking for 5 days, camping and such. It was incredibly beautiful. Right after the boat dropped us off in the middle of nowhere, miles from civilization, a bear walked down the beach we were camping at, luckily we screamed at it and it went away. I really never want to have to use bear spray.

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LM October 2019