John P. Mick II: 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: FRANKLIN PARKWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Leyden Township H.S. D212Age: 57Family: MARRIED, 4 CHILDREN, ALL GRADUATED LEYDEN H SOccupation: PROFESSIONAL CIVIL ENGINEER, MUNICIPAL ENGINEERING CONSULTINGEducation: B S CIVIL ENGINEERING, NUMEROUS GRADUATE CLASSES AT PURDUE, ILLINOIS, AND OTHERSCivic involvement: ROTARY, ANNUAL ST PATRICKS PARTY / FUNDRAISER, OLD ST PATS CATHOLIC CHURCH MINISTRY TEAMElected offices held: LEYDEN H S DIST 212 17 YEARSHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 WHAT'S BEST FOR THE KIDSKey Issue 2 ELIMINATION OF UNFUNDED STATE AND FEDERAL MANDATESKey Issue 3 HELPING ALL STUDENTS SUCCEEDQuestions 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?VERY!!! WE NEED TO GET RID OF UNFUNDED MANDATES AND LAWS AND LAWMAKERS WHO DON'T HAVE A CLUE ABOUT EDUCATION, AND STRAP OUR STAFF WITH REGULATIONS AND PROCESSES THAT ARE CUMBERSOME, EXPENSIVE AND DONT DO ""WHAT'S BEST FOR THE KIDS""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?OUR BUDGET IS IN GOOD SHAPE DUE TO SOUND FISCAL MANAGEMENT FOR THE LAST 75 + YEARS. WE HAVEN'T HAD TO MAKE ""CUTS"". WHAT'S SAD FOR OTHERS IS WE HAVE HIRED SEVERAL VERY TALENTED STAFF FROM DISTRICTS WHO ELIMINATED HUNDREDS OF POSITIONS.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 BELIEVE BOTH ARE VERY VALUABLE. I DONT ""GET SUPPORT"" FROM ANYONE. I DON'T HAVE CAMPAIGN FUNDS. OUR BOARD, ADMINISTRATION AND NUMEROUS UNIONS ALL WORK TOGETHER FOR ""WHAT'S BEST FORE THE KIDS"". I SERVE ON A BOARD WITH A TEACHER AND A PERSON WHO IS IN A UNION, AND THEY BOTH HELP ME GAIN DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVES ON ISSUES.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'M NOT PREPARED TO REVEAL A BARGAINING POSITION TO THE MEDIA OR YOUR READERS. NEGOTIATIONS ARE BETWEEN TWO INDIVIDUALS OR GROUPS AND SHOULD BE PRIVATE. I FOUND THAT DURING OUR LAST ROUND OF GOOD CONTRACTS' REVIEW AND REFINEMENT AND AGREEMENT, ALL THREE OF THE POSITIONS IN YOUR QUESTION CAME INTO PLAY.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?OUR SUPERINTENDENT IS WORTH EVERY PENNY THEY ARE PAID. I WOULD NOT SUPPORT THE ""SUBSTANTIAL INCREASE"" YOU ASK ABOUT. I OPPOSE THE ""LAST X YEARS"" BOOST WHICH USED TO OCCUR. AND I SUPPORT PENSION REFORM, WHICH MEANS LESS MONEY TO ALL - PRESENT AND FUTURE RETIREES, NOW AND THEN, NOT IN 2014 OR 2020 OR 2050.