Wayne Sobczak: 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: AntiochWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Antioch-Lake Villa High School District 117 Board Member (4-year Terms)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married, Four children, five grandchildrenOccupation: Real Estate Broker for 31 years, Broker Owner of Realty World- Tiffany Real Estate for 26 yearsEducation: Graduate of Antioch Community High School with Some College Graduate of the Real Estate InstituteCivic involvement: Member of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce Founding member Founding President of The Antioch Exchange Club Past President of the Lake County Association of Realtors Past member of the St.Peter Grade School Board of EducationElected offices held: High School District #117, 4 termsHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The steady and consistent improvement of student achievement and test scores through a viable ciriculum with measurable progress and results.Key Issue 2 Keeping the District finances within budget and in the Black, and assuring the taxpayers of the district that as a Board Member, I would continue to be a dependable steward and represent the best interest of the public, while providing the best educational opportunites for our young adults within our means.Key Issue 3 To assure the public that the properties, facilities, and technology used by students and staff, will be proactively maintained in order to provide the best educational environment to our students and staff.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 am happly with shift to "common core standards". It gives us a much better way to measure and evaluate the quality of the education our staff delivers to the students. It gives parents and students a better defined map of what should be the expected outcome for the student. It better prepares our young adults for their futures, whether they choose higher education or entering the workforce. The Board does not set the curriculum. The Board of Education approves curriculum changes as recommended by Administration. If the Board of Education and the Administration have a good working relationship, and if the Board of Education understand their roles as Board members, the Board does not micro-manage.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?Currently, I believe our Administration and Staff are on a positive track to preparing our students for not only post High School education, but any career opportunities they may elect to persue. This is a goal that remains fluid and is subject to course changes when deemed necessary by the staff and administration, with the end result always being the success of 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?One of the biggest budget issues that we must prepare for is the potential of the shifting of pension responsiblity from the State to the local school districts. The impact on a district's budget will be significant, and will force all districts to potentially take unpopular measures to accomodate the mandated expense. We at Dist. 117 are fortunate to have an Asst. Superintendent/Business Manager and Superintendent that have begun preparing for the that possibility. We will continue to trim the budget where needed, while we continue to preserve and expand some programs. The budget trimming will be in areas that should have little or no impact on student opportunities. I am personally not in favor of any tax increase at this time.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?The education association and staff at District #117 are probably some of the most, aware and responsible groups in education, relative to the state of the economy. I believe the Board of Education and Administration have establishsed a relationship that is second to none, when it comes to responsible, reasonable, and appropriate expenditure of the taxpayers dollars.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?This scenario doesn't exist in our district, however if did it would not be an action that I would support. Tt just isn't acceptable or appropriate.