Tony Cicero: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Hanover ParkWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Carol Stream Elementary D93Age: 36Family: Married to Amy, 3 kids all attending district 93. Jake-8, Ben-6, Emily-4Occupation: Account Manager for Steiner Electric in Elk Grove VillageEducation: B.S.- Marketing, Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Enjoy coaching baseball and basketball through Carol Stream Park DistrictElected offices held: CCSD 93 Board Member 2005-present.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continuing to follow through on our district's Strategic Directions. Providing World Class Educational Practices. District 93 is currently in their 3rd strategic plan.Key Issue 2 Financial disciplineKey Issue 3 Employee developmentQuestions Answers How satisfied are you that your district is preparing students for the next stage in their lives, whether it be from elementary into high school or high school into college or full-time employment? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?District 93 has ongoing communication with Glendbard North to help prepare our students for high school. I am very satisfied with the support we receive from Glenbard North and the time our middle school staff gives to help with this transition.What budget issues will the district have to confront? What measures do you support to address them? If cuts are needed, be specific about programs and expenses that should be reduced or eliminated. Do you support any tax increases for local schools?As the EAV of homes and buildings decrease, less tax revenue is coming into our district. We do not anticipate any cuts in our curriculum. Operating expenses need to be reduced. We are currently in the process of updating the remainder of old lighting technology in our schools. Our goal is to continuously look for opportunities to maximize energy efficiency in our district. As a taxpayer, if I see a tax increase in local schools, there needs to be justification as to why there is a tax increase. I am very comfortable with our distrct and how are funds are managed.Is experience as a teacher or support from a union valuable because it suggests educational insights or detrimental because it creates pro-teacher bias? Please clarify whether you have such experience or would accept union support.Our administration and board work closely with our unions and union support is very important.As contract talks come up with various employee groups, what posture should the board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?I feel every board needs to go into negotiations with figures they believe are fair. As negotiations proceed, an agreement is made. The goal is a fair contract that is accepted by both parties.If your district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, would you support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits? Why or why not?We are seeing more and more rules being implemented to help regulate increases that are given to help boost pension benefits. It has been going on for a long time and every district needs to start their own mission to help reduce this expense.