Steve Bellmore: Candidate Profile

Back to McHenry High School District 156 School Board 4-year term

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:BioQA Bio City: MchenryWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry High School District 156 School Board 4-year term Age: 55Family: Daughters- Melissa, Nicole, StephanieOccupation: Self EmployedEducation: Trade schoolCivic involvement: I have been President of the Mchenry Junior Warriors Basketball Program for a number of years and still am.Elected offices held: Current district 156 Board MemberQuestions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately 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?We are continually working hard in getting all Students ready for the next level. Our scores are not where they need to be right now. We are currently tweeking the classroom schedule to accomodate the struggling learner who might need that extra boost with extra class time, wether it be temporarily or long term. Based on incoming scores I believe our distrcit does a fantastic job overcoming many deficits. Especially in the math curriculum for incoming Students. As President the thing I am most proud of is the developement of the whole Child as good if not better than anyone else. Our Administration and Teachers are always working hard to get all Students to the next level.What budgetary issues will your district have to confront during the next four years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, be specific about programs and expenses that should be considered for reduction or elimination. On the income side, do you support any tax increases for local schools? Again, be specific.Four years ago coming in as a New Board Member we were running a 4 Million dollar deficit with the prospect of closing a school and dropping all extra curricular. We as a Board have worked hard to balance the budget every year while maintaining and enhancing the curriculum, technology and co-curricular as well as watching out for the tax payer.I see no Future programs to be cut. I see no future tax increase.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?NoAs contract talks come up with various school employee groups -- teachers, support staff, etc. -- what posture should the school board take? 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?We will negotiate a contract that is fair to all stake holders, teachers, administrators, classified and the tax payer. Stay within the parameters of what the District can afford.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?No. They have a current working contract and we need to stay within those parameters in order to keep the district solvent.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Continually offering the best education for all Students while maintaining a balanced budget. Along with maintaining quality Teachers. I previously ran on Citizens for Fiscal responsibility ticket 4 years ago.As a Candidate I am a McHenry Taxpayer For Fiscal Ressponibility. Vote 3 in a Row!Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I would have to move to the past years. Ronald Reagan. No current leader inspires me like him.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Integrity, fairness and honesty.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Being closer to my Parents as they Live quite a distance away who I still am fortunate to have around at their age.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?At my age as I reflect back all subjects as well as Athlectics prepared me for life.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work Hard. Nothing is given free.