Donna Prunotto: 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: BensenvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Bensenville District 2 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: 41Family: Married 16 years with three children in the district.Occupation: Elementary School Teacher with 18 years teaching experience.Education: Bachelor is Education K-9 Masters in Curriculum and Instruction Masters in Adminstration Endorsed in science, language arts, reading, math, and social sciencesCivic involvement: Juvenile Diabetes Research CenterElected 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 My number 1 campaign issue is class size. As a teacher I understand how small class is preferable because it leaves teachers more time for each student to address individual learning.Key Issue 2 My second campaign issue is to ensure that all teachers, administrators, and support staff maintain best practices for academic achievement.Key Issue 3 Health, wellness, and going green is the third campaign issue I am passionate about. I would like to promote healthy eating and wellness for students, teachers, support staff, and other school personnel. School children get up to half the food they need each day at school, which make schools an important place for learning healthy eating habits and exercise. Going green is an important worldwide movement that needs to start with our children at an early age.Questions Answers What do you think about the shift to the common core standards? How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?The standards will provide more clarity and consistency in what is expected of student learning across the country. This initiative will allow states to share information effectively and help provide all students with an equal opportunity for an education that will prepare them to go to college or enter the workforce, regardless of where they live. It is important that the board of education provides direction and guidance to administrators, teachers, and staff members.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 am somewhat satisfied with the district getting students prepared for the next stage in their lives; however there is plenty of room for improvement. I feel there is a great need for communication between the grade school, the middle school, and the high school (Dist 100). There seems to be a major disconnect between the elementary and the high school. The students need to be better prepared for high school. I feel that with the common core implementation, many changes will be made that will benefit the students.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax increases?First, I do not support tax increases. As a parent of three students in the district I am interested in making sure that the students have the latest technology, most qualified teachers, and support staff which can be achieved on many different levels rather than just increasing taxes.As contract talks come up with various school employee groups, do you believe the district should ask for concessions from its employees, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?I do not believe that the school should ask for concessions from its employees. Maintaining the current budget should be the best practice.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?I would not support an increase for a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement just to boost their pension benefits. Superintendents already make a substantial amount of money and they will have asecure retirement.