John Strzelecki: 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: Mount ProspectWebsite: http://NoneOffice sought: Elk Grove Township District 59 School Board (2-year Terms)Age: 57Family: Married 2 childrenOccupation: Senior/Writer Analyst WoltersKluwer Law BusinessEducation: B.A. (Political Science) DePaul University J.D. (Law) Creighton University School of Law)Civic involvement: Active in the Regular Republican Organization for 16 years.Elected offices held: Elk Grove Township Trustee 2007-2009 Elk Grove Township Collector 2006-2007Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To uphold the mission of District 59 which is to provide Quality Student Learning.Key Issue 2 To fulfill the board's legal duties and exercise its legal powers by transacting school-related business, to participate in creative decision making using good common sense not political correctness.Key Issue 3 Some issues that will probably arise will be school safety, future capital improvements, budgeting, and pension reform, collective bargaining.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?I believe common core was meant to be an upgrade to previously applied teaching standards. Currently, teachers are trained to create their own curriculum, lesson plans, etc. The Board should provide some minimal oversight and perhaps set some general criteria. Then the Board should let the teachers be free to do their jobs.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 have 2 products from the District 59 system. One is Nick Strzelecki. He just graduated from Valparaiso University last May. He is a teacher. Alexander Strzelecki will graduate this May from Illinois State University. His degree will be in Theater. I think District 59 did just fine with my sons. They went to John Jay/Forest View and then Holmes Junior High.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?My best guess is that there will be a hold the line philosophy in budgeting issues.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 have to see the current contract. I do not believe any drastic actions have to be taken at this time. I think something to watch or research will be health care costs and pension issues. I think there might be some cost saving out there in the energy related field.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?Is this question for real? I can't envision anyone saying yes.