John Devereux
John Devereux was an at-large member of the School District U-46 Board of Education in Illinois. Devereux assumed office in 2018. Devereux left office on May 1, 2023.
Devereux ran for re-election for an at-large seat of the School District U-46 Board of Education in Illinois. Devereux won in the general election on April 2, 2019.
Devereux completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.
He was appointed as a nonpartisan at-large member of the School District U-46 Board of Education in June 2018.[1]
Biography
John Devereux earned a bachelor of science in actuarial science from the University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana in 1988. His career experience includes working as a consulting and corporate actuary. Devereux has been a fellow of the Casualty Actuarial Society (FCAS) and a member of the American Academy of Actuaries (MAAA). He was appointed as a nonpartisan at-large member of the School District U-46 Board of Education in June 2018.[1]
Elections
2019
See also: School District U-46, Illinois, elections (2019)
General election
General election for School District U-46 Board of Education At-large (4 seats)
The following candidates ran in the general election for School District U-46 Board of Education At-large on April 2, 2019.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Susan E. Kerr (Nonpartisan) | 15.9 | 7,191 |
| ✔ |  | John Devereux (Nonpartisan)  | 14.8 | 6,721 |
| ✔ |  | Eva Porter (Nonpartisan) | 14.5 | 6,557 |
| ✔ |  | Kate Thommes (Nonpartisan) | 14.4 | 6,496 |
 | Jeanette Ward (Nonpartisan) | 11.8 | 5,342 | |
| Daniel Hancock (Nonpartisan) | 10.4 | 4,716 | ||
| Tina Rio (Nonpartisan) | 10.1 | 4,588 | ||
| Ina Silva-Sobolewski (Nonpartisan) | 8.1 | 3,656 | ||
| Total votes: 45,267 | |||
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Campaign themes
2019
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
John Devereux completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Devereux's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
Provide maximum opportunities and avenues for success to all U-46 students regardless of social, economic, and other personal circumstances – U-46 has a great array of programs and opportunities that serve its students delivered by passionate and committed teachers. Yet there are gaps in achievement across the district. Education can be a silver bullet solution for change – to really alter the trajectory for segments of the population that have traditionally underperformed in school and, as a result, tend to be less prosperous thereafter. While there may not be a single solution, it is important to continue supporting programs that offer these amazing opportunities while, at the same time, investing wisely in initiatives that serve to advance the prospects across the diverse U-46 community. Good Governance - While recent reports suggest that U-46 is funded short of targets based on its student population and associated demographics, the impact of property taxes on the various communities within U46 is widely understood. As contributions to U-46 from local sources already exceed the local capacity, I will support efforts to pursue equitable and adequate school funding from the State of Illinois. Yet, as financial constraints will always be present, I will encourage and support responsible use and allocation of resources. My career as an actuary has largely been in a governance function – I’ve had a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that my organizations are acting with due care in their processes and financial activities. I bring that background and sense of stewardship to the U46 Board of Education and will work to ensure that the investments we make are sound and with clear objectives. Community Engagement – Education is a community effort. Beyond requiring engaged students, education is incomplete without strong engagement with families. Further, education can be well served through broader community engagement and partnerships with local businesses and non-profits. We serve a large and diverse community, so it is important to listen to more voices and involve more stakeholders. The size and diversity of the district demand that we, as board members, consider not just our own perspectives and opinions, but the wider communities that we serve. Accordingly, as a board member, I embrace the importance of participating in community events, of speaking and engaging with community members. Likewise, I encourage the administration to continue to expand efforts to improve its reach, involvement, and communications with the community.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
Among the present challenges facing public education is the fact that locally and, more generally, public education (and often teachers as well) has come under a bit of an attack by those who are looking to divert public funds to private entities, to fundamentally change curriculum, to remove social protections, to reduce or eliminate programs focused on equity and, I believe, who are generally intent on undermining its potential for success. I consider myself an ardent supporter and defender of public education – my own sons have had every opportunity for success with their public education and I, myself, am a product of area public schools – I grew up in Winfield (where my father was a member of the school board in the 1970s), I attended West Chicago Community High School (District 94, a district that has similar demographic characteristics as schools within U-46), and I graduated from the University of Illinois. I see the value and importance of public education and I appreciate the challenges.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
In 1988, I started my career working at Aon Corporation, led at the time and until recently by Patrick J. Ryan. As a young kid out of college, I was impressed by a CEO who unassumingly dined in the company cafeteria and welcomed me when I, full of twenty-something nerve, sat down with him to talk about Cubs baseball. While I left Aon a few years later, eight years ago I was thrilled at the poetic symmetry of joining Ryan Specialty Group, Mr. Ryan’s latest foray in the insurance industry. I was glad to rejoin Mr. Ryan because I have intense respect him on many levels. While he has certainly had incredible success in business, rising from modest means, I am inspired by his actions as a remarkable leader and as a compassionate human being. He has many well-known and significant philanthropic pursuits and has invested himself as a lifelong member of the Chicago area community. In these areas, he is nothing short of a role model. I’ve had the fortunate opportunity to work closely with Mr. Ryan over the last eight years and witnessed his leadership and humanity up close. From these interactions, I’ve learned a number of important lessons. As an avid sailor, Mr. Ryan speaks about sailing as a metaphor for life. He notes that in sailing, you have to be creative to successfully navigate with crosswinds and against headwinds. He also points out that, after setting your initial course, you always have to be on the lookout for changes, diligently ready, willing and able to read and react. Mr. Ryan has applied this to his business and to his life, and I have endeavored to do the same – to set a path, to be resourceful in finding a way to navigate the challenges, and to be prepared and willing to adapt and change. Additionally, despite his level of success, he notes that he has no need to be the smartest person in the room. He fully embraces the importance of surrounding himself with strong individuals, each with unique experiences and perspectives, each with unique skills and insight to bear. Again, I have worked to incorporate this philosophy in my professional career and as a board member. Mr. Ryan also believes in community service. He leads by example and he has been supportive of my activities on the U46 board, personally encouraging me to continue to remain involved. Finally, in meetings and presentations, Mr. Ryan frequently offers a piece of advice - “Do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do.” This core value unquestionably underlies his own actions and inspires me as a guiding principle with application in business and, more broadly, in life.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
I think it's important for Board Members to listen, learn, and consider perspectives from across the community. While I admittedly will view issues with my own perspectives, I recognize that the needs of the districts go far beyond my partial worldview. As a result, I strongly encourage the sharing of input, opinions, and suggestions and I look forward to engaging with and listening to the wonderfully diverse voices and constituent parties.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I bring my perspectives as a parent, a community member, a local homeowner, and as a financial professional. I’ve been employed as an actuary for 30 years, currently serving as Chief Actuary for a leading insurance organization where I’ve developed strong research, analytical, and collaboration skills. My actuarial training and work experiences have routinely exposed me to financial, contractual, legal, and regulatory issues – experiences that have relevance as a member of the school board. In addition, I’ve been an active member of various school organizations, most recently, the leadership of the Bartlett High School Band Parent Organization for the last seven years. Over this time, we made great strides to increase parental engagement, coordinate effective communications, promote the profile of the band within the school and the community, and to enhance the student experience. Finally, I understand that balance is required when considering the needs and interests of a diverse set of constituents. I’ve found that pragmatic solutions can be achieved through hard work, exhaustive communication, a sense of alignment, and a strong spirit of collaboration.
Who are your constituents?
We’re seeing stunning examples of students speaking up for themselves within U46 and across the country. Yet despite this rise in engagement, I remain convinced that the board’s primary responsibility should be to advocate on behalf of the students of the district. Each and every decision made by the administration and the board should first consider the impact on the students of U46. At the same time, I understand that no policy or program will be perfect for all students so, while board decisions should consider the broad population of students, due consideration should be given to at-risk and underperforming populations. I would add, however, I believe that advocating for policies that might be considered pro-teacher, is also a pro-student approach – strategies around attracting, engaging, empowering, and retaining top quality teachers would certainly be strategies that also serve the students well. All of that said, I recognize that no decision is made or course of action undertaken in isolation. I certainly understand that balance is required when considering the needs and interests of a diverse set of constituents and I also understand that financial constraints will always be present. So, while I think it is critical to first serve the students of the district, I would be prepared to do so in a deliberate and measured fashion.
How will you build relationships with members of the broader community? Which groups, organizations, stakeholders will you specifically target?
Education is a community effort. It requires engaged students and families, as well as broader community engagement and partnerships with local businesses and non-profits. Further, the size and diversity of the district demand that we, as board members, consider not just our own perspectives and opinions, but the wider communities that we serve. I’ve worked to embrace this philosophy, by participating in numerous school and community events and by speaking with folks across the district and by seeking opportunities to engage with community members. Throughout this process, I strongly encourage the sharing of questions, opinions, and suggestions.
In what areas would you like to expand curriculum? For example, do you see a need for advanced technical training or apprenticeships? What sort of innovative programming would you advance if given the opportunity?
It is important to acknowledge U-46’s successes and the progress made, yet at the same time, ask for more and jointly work on areas that need continued attention. We’ve seen successes in full-day kindergarten, academies and technical education, dual language programs, special education, one-to-one technology, and reductions in primary school class sizes. Yet with evolving college and career landscapes, we need to continuously evaluate progress and results at all levels. We must start with early education as reports suggests that most children aren’t prepared for kindergarten. As a result, we need to expand community partnerships so that our students are better situated for educational success. Beyond this, we need to ensure proven, successful programs are maintained while considering and deploying new programs. For example, we need to critically examine Educational Pathways and, if it does makes sense, ensure its deliberate and well-executed implementation. Likewise, we need to continue to evaluate how to effectively use technology in the classroom, in ways that address different learning styles and appropriately prepare our students for 21st century opportunities and challenges. Finally, across all of these programs, efforts should be made to address the gaps in achievement across the district and to advance the prospects for all within the diverse U-46 community that we serve.
What strategies or plans would you advance to ensure the schools are properly funded?
Recent reports suggest that U-46 is funded short of targets based on its student population and associated demographics. However, contributions to U-46 from local sources already exceed the local capacity. Further, as a long-time area resident, I’ve seen the impact of property taxes on our community and, as a result, I keenly recognize that there is no appetite for growth in the local property tax burden. The good news, on the other hand, is that in 2018, the State of Illinois increased funding to local schools, including U-46, using an evidence based formula method. I applaud this progress and will support continued efforts to pursue equitable and adequate school funding from the State of Illinois. With these recent developments, the financial position and economic outlook for U-46 is markedly improved over recent years. We are well-positioned to make wise investments that can move U-46 forward, relying on additional state-funded resources. Yet, as financial constraints will always be present, I will encourage and support responsible use and allocation of resources. My career as an actuary has largely been in a governance function – I’ve had a fiduciary responsibility to ensure that my organizations are acting with due care in their processes and financial activities and I will bring that sense of stewardship to the U-46 Board.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Ballotpedia biographical submission form
The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:
| “ | What is your political philosophy?
As a board member, I acknowledge the successes and the progress made, yet at the same time, we must jointly and responsibly work on areas requiring continued attention - growth in academic progress across the district, improvements in early education, broader and more equitable access to programs, student and staff safety, upgrades to facilities, support systems for students with varying needs, and efforts to attract, empower, develop, and retain a top-tier workforce. We understand these and other issues that need to be addressed. However, we’re collectively challenged by the fact that there are no easy or one-size-fits all answers. We’re challenged by the fact that there will always be financial resource constraints present. And we are challenged with the simple fact that, while in many cases we need to act with a sense of urgency, change is difficult and progress takes time. However, I’ve found that pragmatic solutions can be achieved through hard work, exhaustive communication, a sense of alignment, and a strong spirit of collaboration.[2] |
” |
| —John Devereux[1][3] | ||
See also
2019 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Information submitted on Ballotpedia’s biographical information submission form on February 26, 2019
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Ballotpedia's Elections Team, “Email communication with John Devereux," February 27, 2019
