Leigh Foltz: 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: Green OaksWebsite: http://n/aOffice sought: Oak Grove District 68 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: 45Family: Married to Bob Foltz with three childrenOccupation: Stay at Home MomEducation: BA in english literature from Hobart Williams Smith Colleges, 1989Civic involvement: former PTO co-President 2008-2011, current board member of Oak Grove Education FoundationElected 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 Strategic PlanKey Issue 2 Common Core StandardsKey Issue 3 Teacher EvaluationQuestions 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 the The Board of Education should support the Superintendent and the Administration, they are the experts. As a Board member I don't believe we should set curriculum, only policy. The Board does have an obligation to ensure that our students are being provided with a rigorous curriculum to best prepare them for the future.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 satisfied, but I feel there is always a need to enhance and improve the educational experience for our 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?District 68 is a very solvent district. In order to be prepared for any unforeseen issues, solvency needs to be maintained. I am not in favor of cutting 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?At any time when contracts are being negotiated, it is difficult as an outsider to comment on concessions, raises, etc.without having access to all the information. I support the teachers and staff at Oak Grove because they are the frontline in our students' educational experience. I am in favor of them having fair compensation.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 depends on several factors: the individual retiring, length of service, pensions changes in Springfield. If this situation were to arise I would have to look at all the factors in order to make an informed decision.