Kimberly Qualls: 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:BioQA Bio City: McHenryWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry District 15 School Board (4-year Term)Age: 41Family: I am married with 2 children.Occupation: Elementary School PrinicpalEducation: I earned a Bachelor's of Science degree from Illinois State University in 1993. Since, I have earned two Masters of Arts degrees from Roosevelt University in 1999 2008. I am now currently working on a Doctoral Degree.Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: McHenry District 15 School Board Member, 2004- PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoQuestions 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 Common Core Standards are much more rigorous than the Illinois State Learning Standards. As a result, school districts will need to spend time analyzing these standards and revisiting curriculum. In my opinion it isn't the board's role to set curriculum, rather it is the role of the superintendent to ensure that curriculum development is occurring. The board's role is to support staff during curriculum development and to ensure that the superintendent has the resources he needs to produce curriculum that displays the rigor and relevance the Common Core Standards demand.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 very satisfied with McHenry District 15. Each year we see huge gains in test scores despite an increase in student mobility and an increase in English Language Learners. However, in light of the new Common Core Standards, educators will have to examine curriculum to ensure that students are working at the level of rigor required by the new standards. Existing curriculum will have to change as well as the way in which curriculum is delivered.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?McHenry District 15 is in a healthy financial position and maintains healthy fund balances. As a result, tax increases are not necessary and programs do not need to be eliminated to balance the budget.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?District 15 is in the first year of a 5 year teacher's contract. During this last bargaining session both the Teachers Association and the Board came to an agreement on a 5 year contract that allowed for modest increases on the salary schedule while ensuring that the District would maintain healthy fund balances and not have to turn to tax payers for additional dollars. Because of this 5 year contract, anyone elected to fill this board seat will not have to participate in contract negotiations with teachers.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?No I would not support substantial increases to boost pensions. The law is very clear about end of career increases and I would work within those guidelines.