Pedro Rivas: 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: Sugar GroveWebsite: http://NAOffice sought: Kaneland Unit District 302 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: 47Family: Married, 2 boysOccupation: Quality Assurance Analyst EngineerEducation: Bachelor of Science: Computer information Systems, DeVry University 1986Civic involvement: Sugar Grove Park District (coaching), Financial Advisory Committee, Boys Scouts of AmericaElected offices held: noneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Balanced BudgetKey Issue 2 TransparencyKey Issue 3 Re-look and reinstate programs cut during our economic down turn when justified.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?If the data shows that our students need common core standards then I support the change. The board of education is presented why this or any other change should be applied and will then votes on the effort.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?Overall our school is doing a best as they can to prepare our students for the next level. Measures are been developed to accommodate all student needs.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?Depreciating State funding and the potential of additional responsibilities passed on to our district will become a challenge. Overall we should be focused at spending within a balanced 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?As with all contracts arrangements, agreements need to be made where both parties come to reasonable terms and within budget. Over the previous 4 years many sacrifices have been made by all.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 support this, as long as the district is not placed in the position where penalties of any kind at due. Budget reform down state might have an impact in the subject matter in the future.