Douglas Nerge: 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: GrayslakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Grayslake H.S. D127Age: 44Family: Persephone (wife), Andromeda (7 year old daughter) and Orion (5 year old son)Occupation: Ecommerce Marketing ManagerEducation: Northern Illinois University, BS in Industrial Arts Technology, 1990MBA- Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Graduate in May 2011Civic involvement: Active in Prairie Crossing Homeowners AssociationElected offices held: Grayslake Community High School District 127 (2007-2011) Has held office of Vice President. Currently the Secretary.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My #1 issue is to represent the voters in the district the best I can. It is my responsibility to make sound financial and educational decisions and always have the children in mind.Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respond.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.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?The district is doing a good job preparing students for the next stage of their lives. The district has a well-rounded curriculum and is has a concentrated focus on preparing students for the next chapter in their lives. I would like to see the district partner with local businesses more in order to give students exposure to real situations in the business world.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?The whole country is facing budget problems. Grayslake Community High School District is no different. We have solid senior leadership at the district level which is constantly reviewing current and future budgets. As a member of the Facilities and Finance committee, I am always very critical on spending increases. I am very critical when approving contracts. I review every money disbursement and put it in either a ""need"" or ""want"" bucket. It is not the time to approve ""wants"".Tax increases ONLY should be considered when all cuts that DO NOT affect the curriculum are carried out.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.As we are currently in contract negotiations with the Teacher's Union, it is inappropriate to comment on this item.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?As we are currently in contract negotiations with the Teacher's Union, it is inappropriate to comment on this item.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?This is not the policy of the board to engage in these practices. I have never voted for, or ever will, engage in this unethical practice.