John Kenwood: 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: Glen EllynWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Glen Ellyn Elementary D41Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married, three children ages 14,13, and 11Occupation: Technology ServicesEducation: Business Administration - University of Texas in Austin 1984MBA Finance - University of Illinois Urbana 1992Civic involvement: Board of EducationLakers Soccer CoachElected offices held: D41 Board of Education - currentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Candidate did not respond.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Ensuring our schools and curriculum prepare all our students for competing in a global economyKey Issue 2 Fiscal Management and accountability in educationKey Issue 3 Collaboration with the community and continued support for special educationQuestions 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?D41 is doing a great job educating our children. I beleive we need to continue to raise our standards and continue to enrich our curriculum to be able to compete in the 21st centuryWhat 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?The district is financially sound and has a high rating from the State of Illinois. Several cuts were made over the past year, and we will continue to do what is necessary to be fiscally responsible.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.I have neither, and would not accept support from either.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?All talks should be directed at evolving our education model to support 21st century education. It should also be done within the boundaries of resources and fiscal responsibility.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?No