Amanda Geyer: 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: MchenryWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry District 15 School Board (4-year Term)Age: 38Family: Married , two childrenOccupation: part-time retail, momEducation: Attended Oakton CommunityCivic involvement: Cub Scouts, Kohl's Cares volunteer program, PTO and Volunteeering in the schools, also working with my church. In Norfolk VA, Military family support groups, volunteered with Navy Marine Corps relief society.Elected 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 Equal opportunities for all students including special education students. Growth in the Landmark program of all year school. Full day kindergarten, dual language classes and gifted programs.Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respond.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.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 like the common core standards. The board should play a role in setting curriculum along with a group of staff who will be using the curriculum.The path we are on is heading in the right direction. So I would go in the direction we are going now.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 believe we do a good job preparing students for high school, but there is always room for 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?I do not support tax increases. Possibly those who would want all day kindergarten could contribute toward tuition for it.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 think the district has been very good to the staff and we are in a spot that cost should stay the same if need be, or that we can keep up with a increases that have been promised.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 in pay. This leads to higher taxes in the long run. They are paid to do a job and are compensated as they work. With the economy being in a downward spiral most of our families have not had payroll increases or pension benefits.