Jonathan Wood: 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: North AuroraWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Aurora West Unit District 129 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: 54Family: Married, four girls; oldest is married and resides in Los Angeles, CA., one High school junior, one Elementary fifth grader and one first year college student.Occupation: SalesEducation: B.A. Psychology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 1981; A.A.S. Degree, Business Administration, Fort Steilacoom Community College, Tacoma, Washington, 1979Civic involvement: Main Baptist Church, Member of Alpha Phi Alpha FraternityElected offices held: Board of Education since April 2005; 2 terms.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NO!Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The safety of our children.Key Issue 2 Securing funds for public education.Key Issue 3 Improving our overall district tests scores.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 strongly stand behind District 129's common core standards of being respectful, being responsible and being ready. These three things are the conerstones for which life lessons are taught. The Board of Education deals with policy and procedures and ought not have to make decisions on setting curriculum. Leave the curriculum portion up to the trained professionals, our teachers and administrators, we trust they will come up with what is best for teaching and learning and then approve those practices!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 personally am never satisfied, our district is always looking at and reveiwing ways to impact our students learning and preparation for their next stage! There is always room for modifications to any of the current programs based on the needs of our students; how new technology can be implemented, the ever changing world around us and other life factors!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?Our toughest issue with budget is, how do we get our money from our State? If, we could recieve funding from the State in a timely manner we then would not be forced to look at cuts. Our district has done a great job with the management of district money. I feel confident that we would be able to accomplish all of these goals without having to suggest tax increases!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 we approach contract negotiations, I would love to give raises to all district employees! Unfortunately, we must look at the reality which is, what funds will be coming in from the state and federal government. After, reviewing all of the financial factors we will do what is best for our children, our employees, our community and our district!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?After much thought, my decision would be, NO! Superintendents and/or administrators have the flexibity of retiring from more than one district, therefore, the opportunity to draw multiple pensions.