LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Publisher’s note: Answers to the following questionnaire were submitted by Paris-Union School District 95 Board of Education candidate Andrew Roberts and are largely unedited, outside of minor stylistic changes to ensure compliance with AP Style guidelines. Any views or opinions expressed in this piece do not reflect the opinions of The Prairie Press or its editorial team.
Briefly explain who you are and provide some background information on yourself;
I was born and raised in Paris, attended Paris 95 schools, and graduated from Paris High School in 2006. I attended Lake Land College in Mattoon, earning an associate’s degree in civil engineering technology in 2009.
I am the director of engineering deliverables and project manager for Feezor Engineering Inc., based in Chatham. We are a small civil engineering consultant firm specializing primarily in the waste industry but also performing classic civil engineering services.
My wife, the former Morgan Willoughby, and our three daughters and I moved back to Paris in 2021. The oldest girls, Mia and Maelee, are attending Paris District 95 schools. Since returning to Paris, I have been involved with the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Tourism and the Paris Honeybee Festival.
Briefly recap or describe your own educational experience as a student (and as an educator if applicable).
In our family, education is given a top priority. The education I received at all levels in Paris 95 schools prepared me for attending Lake Land College and my study in civil engineering technology.
As with my degree choice, I thoroughly enjoyed math and the sciences during school. There were many educators and administrators during my time who went above and beyond for their students and truly helped shape our lives. We were taught to question and think outside the box, and I have put that to good use in my lifetime.
In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue (or issues) facing your school district? Please limit your answer to three issues/topics at most.
Unfortunately, all school districts face some sort of crisis – whether budgetary or in the approach to education – sometime in their history. For Paris 95, this crisis occurred in June 2023, when problems with accountability with the district’s grants were discovered.
While the district eventually parted ways with the superintendent, the current board of education must also take responsibility for and lack of oversight. The board members approved the expenditures at every board meeting therefore are accountable for the financial mess now facing the district, community and its employees.
There is a definite lack of trust in the current board with the taxpayers, teachers, employees and residents of the district. That trust can only be regained by recognizing their accountability and being transparent about not only what occurred – or didn’t occur.
This means being open with the teaching staff about what the fiscal challenges will mean to future programs and teaching positions. There already have been reductions in paraprofessionals in all schools as well as larger class sizes. We do not want this district – which had made great progress in serving this community and its children – to slip and not serve the needs of our unique population.
Many in the community seriously question the employment of two former superintendents and a former principal at a salary of $50,000 each to “ease” the transition for the new superintendent. This is viewed by the public as a waste of money.
We need to make it priority to ensure our children’s needs are being met. Music and the arts have always been an important part of this school district and to the children it serves. These must be preserved.
Teachers must have what they need for their classrooms – without using their own funds. Supplies for the classroom must be available and not rationed – including paper. In my line of work that’s the cost of doing business.
If elected, what immediate action would you propose to address the issue(s) mentioned above? What long-term plans would you propose to address the issue(s)?
The new superintendent has improved district-community communication, though there’s still room for growth. Given past issues where information was withheld from the community, the district must maintain openness and transparency.
Having board meetings during work hours does not serve our community well. I propose scheduling all meetings - regardless of topic - at times when community members can actually attend.
Regarding our children’s needs, we are facing unfortunate staff reductions due to financial repayments and lost grant funding. We must ensure all staffing decisions prioritize our students’ and teachers’ best interests. Maintaining an excellent educational environment is essential —cutting staff or services because of the current board’s poor decision-making and lack of oversight is simply unacceptable.
What parts of your experience as a professional or volunteer do you believe would suit you well on the school board?
As a member of the school board, my primary objective is to ensure the responsible and strategic management of both state funding and taxpayer contributions to deliver the highest quality educational experience possible for our student body.
Throughout my career in project management, I have developed skills in personnel leadership and project administration, with particular expertise in detailed budget monitoring, financial oversight, and resource optimization.
My engineering background has provided me a methodical, data-driven approach to decision-making — analyzing problems systematically and evaluating solutions based on evidence rather than assumptions.
This analytical mindset and commitment to evidence-based decision-making will prove invaluable in my role on the school board, where careful consideration of data and outcomes is essential for making informed choices that benefit our educational community.
In your opinion, what is the value and importance of the public education system?
The public education system is a cornerstone of our society. Our school years represent the critical period when we develop into educated and responsible citizens. It is our responsibility to give every child the best educational environment possible.
If given the authority to do so, what would you change about the public education experience?
We have to do better at creating a unique education environment that can meet the needs of every student. Children do not learn at the same pace or in the same way and staff need flexibility to adapt to each student’s needs.
What are the strengths of the public education system?
The greatest strength of the public education system lies in its commitment to providing universal accessibility to all students, regardless of their social or economic status. This comprehensive accessibility extends far beyond traditional classroom education itself to encompass a wide array of valuable resources and support services that school districts thoughtfully provide to both students and their families. From academic materials and technological tools to counseling services and extracurricular opportunities, these resources help ensure every student has the support they need to succeed.
Community building stands as another vital strength of public education. School districts actively work to foster meaningful connections and lasting relationships among students, parents, teachers, administrators, and support staff members.
These connections create a robust support network that benefits everyone involved. When all members of the educational community collaborate effectively toward a shared goal of academic excellence and student development, we can create the most enriching and impactful educational experience possible for each and every student.
What other information do you want readers of The Prairie Press and members of your community to know about you?
I am running for the school board because, as a parent and active member of this community, I want to create positive changes for our school district.
The current group of board members have demonstrated a concerning pattern of passive governance. They have allowed the previous administration to mismanage our district’s once-strong financial position through a series of questionable decisions and insufficient oversight. Our district desperately needs board members who will exercise proper due diligence, ask challenging questions when necessary, and carefully evaluate all available information before making important decisions.
I am fully committed to bringing this level of engaged leadership to the board, making well-researched and thoughtful decisions that will create lasting positive impacts for our students, teachers, and the entire school district for generations to come.
(The above surveys were provided to candidates running for school board election inside of Edgar County by request of the individual candidate. All candidates have the option and opportunity to submit their responses. The views expressed are solely that of the candidate. Candidates can inquire about surveys by contacting info@prairiepress.net)