Bryan C. Mueller, 4 years: 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: AntiochWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Antioch Elementary D34, 4-year termAge: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married, three childrenOccupation: Corporate FinanceEducation: Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance, UW - Eau Claire, 1995Masters of Business Administration, SMU, 2005Civic involvement: Red Wing View Homeowner Association, TreasurerCub Scouts, Pack 191 Antioch IL, CubmasterElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 I want to ensure the district is focused on providing each child with an educational opportunity based on innovative curriculum, teaching methods, and technology in manner that not only allows the district to exceed mandated standards but also engages and challenges our children in a manner that individually is adapted to unleash the potential of every student.Key Issue 2 Our schools are old and full. It is important that we are effectively directing resources to ensure our facilities provide teachers and students an environment in which they can be successful.Key Issue 3 Fiscal Responsibility.Questions 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?I believe there is room for improvement in raising performance for the District as a whole, while providing more opportunities for our children as individual learners.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?District 34 does not have the urgent financial pressures as some of our neighboring districts. Optimization of existing resources is the immediate concern, while proactively addressing our facilities (which are full and aging). We should be able to fund the operation of our schools without a tax rate increase.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.An effective board should be built on variety of backgrounds. Decisions need to be made on a well thought-out, informed, and constructively debated basis. The District 34 board appears to be well represented by those who have experience in teaching as well as support from a union. I don't have experience as a school teacher; I have a corporate/business background which will hopefully bring a unique perspective to the District. I am not seeking union support.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?Every individual that works in the district has the opportunity to impact the education of our children. The board should be collaborative with the professionals that we are entrusting this educational responsibility. The district should be constantly evaluating all costs, and ensure that investments made whether in salaries, educational material, or facilities (etc) to ensure that spending is aligned with the goals of the district.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, pay (and especially pay raises) should not be based on proximity to retirement.