Sharon Kucik: 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: Villa ParkWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage H.S. D88Age: 48Family: Married to Tom, 3 children - Christa (20), Kyle (18), Jeremy (16)Occupation: Self-employed - Jazzercise Instructor/OwnerEducation: Bachelor Of Science in Medical Technology, University of IL at Chicago, 1986Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of IL - Urbana, 1984Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: DuPage H.S. District 88 Board of Education Member, 2007-currentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To maintain rigorous classes and elective courses in light of the poor economy and reduced state and federal funding.Key Issue 2 Keeping the District fiscally responsible.Key Issue 3 Representing the communities needs to the District.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?In general I am satisfied with how our district is preparing students. Our district has implemented many programs to keep the students engaged in school (PBIS, small learning communities, block scheduling). These programs are in place for the success of the students. This is to prepare students for the next phases after graduation. The one change I would like to see is increases parental involvement.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?Last year our district looked at our projected budgets for the next 5 yrs and made some necessary cuts across the board; from administration on down to staff. We also cut those courses that had low enrollment to help reduce our budget costs. At this time I do not support any local tax increases while our economy is still trying to recover. I would look at more cost-saving measures.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 do not have any teacher experience nor do I have support from a union.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?The board needs to stay fiscally responsible to the community. We know that many families in our community are going through hardships of losing jobs or having to take pay cuts to keep a job. I believe some concessions need to take place as a gesture of good faith to the community.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 will be retiring in 2012 and has taken a pay freeze for the past few years to keep our costs from escalating when he does leave the district. Therefore, I would not support a substantial increase because again it is not being fiscally responsible to the community.