Brian Swanson: Candidate Profile

Back to Wauconda Unit District 118 School Board 2-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: BarringtonWebsite: NoOffice sought: Wauconda Unit District 118 School Board 2-year term Age: 59Family: I am a lifelong Lake County resident and have lived in Wauconda Township for 29 years. My wife Sue (Jones) Swanson is a graduate of Wauconda District 118, and works for Abbott/AbbVie as a scientist in Research and Development. Our two children, Dana and Erik attended Wauconda District 118 schools from Kindergarten through 12th grade. Dana graduated from Augustana College, and she and her husband live and work in Seattle, WA. Erik is a Junior at NIU and is currently studying abroad in Barcelona, Spain. We are proud to be a K-12 Wauconda Legacy Family.Occupation: Inside Sales for Used Equipment at Direct Fitness SolutionsEducation: Associates Degree in Mid-Management Marketing from College of Lake CountyCivic involvement: I have had the great privilege to serve Wauconda School District 118 for 12 years as a School Board Member. I cofounded Bulldog Nation Foundation, which provides for classroom needs, and serve as its Vice President. I am cofounder of the Wauconda Triathlon, now in its 10th year, and serve on its committee. I volunteer with Star Charities' Turkey Trot, Bunny Hop and Freedom Ride. I coached WASA soccer and LYAA baseball for combined 10 years. I volunteer at Wauconda Main Attraction events and assist with its beautification projects. I served as Lake Management Chair for our Timberlake neighborhood association.Elected offices held: Wauconda School Board Member from 2003 to present; served as Secretary. Delegate for the IASB Convention. Vice President for Bulldog Nation Foundation Director for Timberlake Civic Association's Lake Management CommitteeQuestions 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?In preparing our students for college and their future careers, our ACT scores have topped 22 average for the past two years. We are very proud that 85% of our graduates go on to either a two year or four year college experience. The remaining 15% join the military, attend trade school, or enter the work world. We achieve this while spending $1000.00 less than the state average per pupil. In terms of future initiatives, we need to continue to provide learning opportunities for all children, so that they may maximize their potential both in school, as well as post high school graduation.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.Future budget challenges that our school district will face are state driven. Our local property tax base continues to be a stable source of revenue. Recent and current legislative proposals like SB16 and the Pension Cost Shift would have a negative effect on our state revenue stream and thus affect the District's ability to continue to offer the current level of programming. I am a firm believer that if cuts are required, that they are instituted in non-learning environment areas of the school district. The preservation of classroom educational opportunities is, and should be our number one priority. I believe that any tax increase proposal for facilities or operations must be left to the voters.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?Bargaining contracts with labor unions should be done in a collaborative manner. We have been successful with implementing interest-based bargaining for many years. When needed, our labor groups have made concessions in order to assist the District with balancing the budget without making cuts to educational programming. This has been achieved because there is a positive working relationship between the Board and its employees.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?In the most recently settled contract between the Board and teacher's collective bargaining group, it was agreed that the end-of-career salary boosts be dramatically reduced. We have always applied the same retirement benefits that the teachers get to our administrators as well. Thus, the administration is subject to the same reduction as the teachers.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The issue that is most important to me is that we continue to offer great educational programs and opportunities for the students of District 118. I am concerned that the state will implement legislation that would divert our current level of funding to other school districts or state programs. We need to continue to make a concerted effort to ensure that this does not happen to our community. Also, we need to continue to promote retail and industrial growth in our community so that our tax base increases. This kind of growth provides for much needed tax dollars with no liability of educating more students. Additionally, the increase in the tax base provides property tax relief for existing home owners. This must be a continued focus for the communities that encompass District 118.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I am inspired by any and all local community volunteers.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Strive to be the best you can be!If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I have no regrets, as I believe that all life experiences make you the person you are.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I enjoyed learning about History; local, state, national, and world.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Happiness is not a destination, but an attitude along the way!