William Harper: Candidate Profile

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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: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Schaumburg District 54 School Board Age: 59Family: wife - Barb Sons Justin and Brandon Daughter KristinOccupation: RealtorEducation: 2 years of collegeCivic involvement: School Board for 14 years PTA for 12 years Coached youth baseball, basketball and bowlingElected offices held: PTA school president at Dirksen PTA president of STC of PTA Vice President of school board President of School BoardQuestions 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?Very satisfied with District 54 preparing the children for their next step. The district is in the 90% in both reading and math.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.The district has had a balanced budget for over 15 years and at this point is not looking at cutting programs.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?I am not employed nor are any of my family members employed at District 54.As 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 are currently in talks with our employees and I am confident that we will come to a fair contract for both sides.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 I would not support such a move.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?To continue to added need programs to District 54 to serve all the children of the district. To continue to give our teachers the tools they need to work with our children.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My follow board membersWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?HonestyIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I think I would have a fourth childWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math and it has helped me in several ways in real estateIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Follow your heart