Mike Scharringhausen: 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: SchaumburgWebsite: http://www.electmike-d211.comOffice sought: Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: 48Family: Married Vicki 1996, Son Eric 15yr, Daughter Samantha 12yrOccupation: General Manager- Wholesale fastener distributionEducation: Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, Roosevelt UniversityCivic involvement: Schaumburg Athletic Association (SAA), coach, manager, rec baseball commissioner, 3rd VP executive board. PTA- President Robert Frost Jr High School, 2nd VP Schaumburg Township Council of PTAs D54- District Goals Committee Member Rotary Club of Hoffman Schaumburg- Board of Directors Rotary Foundation of Hoffman Schaumburg- Board member Kenneth Young Center- Board member Roosevelt University Alumni Trustee Multiple Chambers of Commerce- board member, committee chairsElected 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 Fiscal responsibility. There are major financial implications in the immediate future with pensions taking center stage. It is critical to hear multiple points of view, discuss each for their merits and make informed decisions. It will not be easy, a great deal depends on the state actions or lack thereof.Key Issue 2 Strategic planning with long term short term goals coupled with a culture of continuous improvement.Key Issue 3 Focus on all students - prepare well rounded individuals for their next life chapter whether entering the work force, attending a trade school, community college, or four year university.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 shift to common core standards is a good step in the right direction. An issue is the assessment method under consideration which may make it difficult to measure growth year over year. A school board should not develop the curriculum for students, our responsibility is to discuss vote on what is presented. A Board of Education is a board of governance, the curriculum content is a management function of the district handled by its staff of well trained educators.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?There is always room for improvement in preparing a student for the next stage of their lives. Rather than change one thing over another I am firm believer in a culture of continuous improvement.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?The 800 pound gorilla that will need to be addressed hopefully sooner than later is the huge growing underfunded pension liabilities. At the moment not much can be done on a local level until the State of Illinois moves forward with a plan of any sort. Unfortunately nothing has happened at the state level with only threats of putting the debt back at the local level. The district's reserve allows some flexibility to avoid having to make knee jerk reactions when the state finally makes any decision. For the immediate short term there are no impending threats to programs.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 would expect employee overall costs to remain about the same.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 do not support increases in pay to help boost pension benefits for those nearing retirement. One is paid based on their contract; I see no reason to spike one's pay near the end of any contract.