Peter Dombrowski: Candidate Profile

Back to Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 School Board

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: SchaumburgWebsite: www.peter-r-dombrowski.comOffice sought: Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 School Board Age: 39Family: Wife: Cindy Children: Jack, Ava, HenryOccupation: Licensed Structural EngineerEducation: BSCE from Purdue University MSCE from UICCivic involvement: St. Hubert School Advisory Board since 2009. UIC Senior Engineering Expo Judge since 2010. NCEES Structural Exam Committee since 2009. CANstruction Chicago since 2010. Future City Chicago Team Mentor since 2014. Lenten Mission Committee for St. Mathews, St. Marceline, Church of the Holy Spirit, and St. Hubert. Village of Schaumburg Trustee Candidate - 2011 American Council of Engineering Companies - Illinois Committee Member - IDOT Bridge, IDNR, MWRD Illinois Association of Highway Engineers (Corporate Sponsor Member) Transportation Highway and Engineering Conference (T.H.E.) speaker, 2011.Elected offices held: School Advisory Board - St. HubertQuestions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately preparing students for the next stage in their lives? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?Regarding the curriculum, I think there needs to be changes in the amount of resources we dedicate to Math and Science courses. Looking at the data that the District has provided the number of courses offered for the level of enrolled students is not on par with English and Social Studies. The number of enrolled students per Science class is 49.8 compared to 25.4 for English classes and 26.0 in Social Studies (D211 Annual Report's Curriculum Summary). Talking about this issue with teachers, they assure me that the classes are capped at 32 students. For me, the key is student enrollment in Science classes is 8% lower than for English classes. We need to increase the number of students, boys and girls, who are interested in STEM subjects to increase their prospects for the future. As an engineer, I'm painfully aware of the lack of college graduates entering this noble profession. STEM introduces our future generation of bridge builders, research scientists, and medical professionals to the opportunities that shape today's world. As a parent and D211 resident I'm very receptive to researching and discussing benefits outside of the area of STEM education. Our community needs small business entrepreneurs, blue collar workers, as well as doctors and engineers. I believe the role of the Board of Education must include vision and direction for the district that reflects the needs of our ever evolving community. This must include recognizing shortages in key labor markets and presenting those opportunities early.Is the current collective bargaining agreement with teachers a good deal for the district? If yes, explain, where you see the district benefitting. If no, be specific about what you don't like and how it should be renegotiated the next time.Unfortunately at this time the District has not made available the contract approved in September 2014, so it is difficult for me to comment directly. I offer the following: As a District 211 Board member, I will focus on three major stakeholders providing direction and response to administration based on fundamental philosophical principles. These three stakeholders are Students/Parents; Teachers; and Community. Each is unique with different needs. Our primary stakeholders are the Parents and Students. This group is engaged in process of gathering knowledge. As a Board member I will constantly encourage and recognize this group. I will be available to parents and students as a resource to maximize the benefits the district provides. The second group of stakeholders is our Teachers. In District 211, the Teacher is our craftsman of knowledge. Great teachers inspire passion and must have proper tools/resources to mold students. As a Board member I will be available to teachers to listen and pro-actively advocate for their mission. The final stakeholder is our Communities. This stakeholder includes taxpayers investing in education, businesses hiring our graduates, and civic organizations relying on volunteers. As a Board member I will be a very outspoken for this stakeholder. Retired seniors, full time working business owners, and non-profit volunteers are out the door before class starts and home after dismissal. These people EMPOWER and entrust education to an elected Board as their representative. I believe policy needs to be changed to have an elected Board Member present at the contract negotiations.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.Our district has been consistently levying above our expenditures and well beyond Board policy as well. I support addressing this issue, simply through enforcing existing Board policy with regard to Operating Fund Balance, which states: "...BOE should target an operating fund balance, excluding non-spendable fund balance, of approximately 33% of the next budget year's expenditures representing approximately 4 months of operations." Clearly stated in the BOE Member Ethics Policy: "BY seeking adequate financial support for the schools." District 211 is well beyond ADEQUATE. I do not see cuts being necessary. I do expect redundant costs within the District that can be identified and reduced. The break out of employees classified as High School teachers is less than 700 of over 2000 staff. I would like to see this ratio higher than 35%. I understand that support staff are critical to the day to day function, but certified teachers are the backbone to success. We should focus on increasing this ratio, especially for Math and Science. Also, I believe there needs to be a significant discussion regarding District 211 membership of the Northwest Educational Council for Students Success (NECSS). It drives a significant amount of our program development. This organization operates with support of District 211 and has no direct oversight from the Community via elected representatives. I OPPOSE tax increases for District 211 at this time. Currently District 211 is spending $22,000 educating one student per year. I do not believe a High School degree should cost the Community $88,000.Are all the high schools in District 211 treated equally, in your opinion? Explain why or why not, or where you think discrepancies lie.In my opinion, no. Resources are specific to each school. When Special Education faculty (resources) are 86% higher at one school than another within the district, that's not equal treatment. When there are 20% more Math and Science teachers in one school versus another within the district, it is not equal treatment. The underlying question missing is should all the high schools be treated equally. Special Education must be evaluated on an as needed basis and with the individual student as the focus. There are Title I schools within District 211 that is beyond the control of the Board. These schools have different needs that demand different resources. One size does not fit all within our District. My opinion is that each school and student is treated with the same desire to maximize their potential. From my discussions with parents, residents, teachers, students, and Board members it is beyond question that District staff treat students as the number one priority. Each school may dance to a different song, but they are all dancing. I'm proud to live in District 211, where an excellent education â#128;#142;is provided. I hope to continue that success with a more proactive approach. As a Board member, I will continue to advocate Board policy that provides each student with reasonable resources to maximize their potential. Therefore, I'm asking my neighbors to elect me and my unique skills to the Board. Once elected I will serve and represent all District 211 stakeholders.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?No. If elected I will work with fellow Board members to enact policy that will prevent nepotism. Clear language that prevents issues arising from pillow talk or favoritism in the work place is long overdue. Anyone that has worked with a family member will agree that it creates a different dynamic and a different type of respect is required in the work place versus the home environment.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Board of Education Governance. Improve the 211 Board using Standing and Ad Hoc committees. The Board currently is reactionary. The consent agenda is presented and Board responds. Structured committees are needed to allow discussions for all stakeholders. Recording efforts and recommendations of committees will allow for transparent processes and collaboration before a critical vote is required. By the time an issue reaches the Board, the opportunity for an optimized solution has typically passed. Currently, the Board has standing committees for Superintendent's Administrative Council, Curriculum Committee, Principal's Executive Committee, and Principal's Cabinet. These committees have been in place since 1997. It is long overdue that the Board re-evaluate and determine the need for committees that work on behalf of all stakeholders. Our current Board members are voting without discussion or participation in many areas that have a direct impact on teachers, students, and taxpayers. There should be a better forum for the critical discussions that impact everyone. I believe that forum is a committee meeting and not a YES / NO vote on the consent agenda. SB16, End of Career Salary Bumps, Pensions, STEM, and Transparency are some issues I have addressed on my candidate website with my plan of action. I know how to build bridges to bring people together. It starts with communication in two directions. A silent stare response is unacceptable when our Community speaks on a levy vote. It's worse when the Board provides an open and unlimited response by Administration unequal to Community stakeholders.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Mike Rowe. He is a champion for the blue collar worker and the manufacturing industry. His scholarships focused on the skilled trades is refreshing.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Focus on what I wanted to accomplish. I still hear my grandfather's voice..."Don't worry about what the other guy is doing."If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'd give the "do-over" away. Everything I've done has shaped me. Mistakes included.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Geometry. As a structural engineer, understanding load paths and dimensional visualization are critical. Thank you Ms. Loretta Gesmond, my 10th grade Geometry teacher.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do not allow yourself to be distracted by those around you. Focus on your goals and work hard to reach your destination.