Elaine Vong Salton: 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: Green OaksWebsite: N/AOffice sought: Oak Grove District 68 School Board Age: 47Family: Married to Gregory Salton. Three children: Natalie a sophomore at University of Michigan Engr. School, William a 7th grade and Eleanor a 5th grade, both at Oak Grove.Occupation: Currently a stay at home parent. Formerly manager at Abbott LaboratoriesEducation: B.S. Chemical Engineering University of MichiganCivic involvement: Oak Grove School volunteering: *Strategic Plan team member 2013 *Foreign Language Task Force member 2011 *21st Century Skills Team member 2010 *Founding member of Oak Grove School Education Foundation, Vice President 2006-2009 * Project manager for Junior High playground renovation 2009 * Wellness Committee member 2005 Girl Scout troop leader, 12 yearsElected offices held: NoneQuestions 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 the past, the school has prepared our students well for Libertyville High School. From my own personal experience, my college sophomore attended Oak Grove School from 1st-8th grades and has been very successful in high school and college. In the rapidly changing landscape of Common Core State Standards and the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) assessment, it is a challenge for all school districts to keep up. Oak Grove School needs to develop clear, efficient and focused processes for evaluating, selecting, piloting and purchasing new curriculum. We need to focus on continuous improvement to strive for excellence in curriculum, programs, technology and instruction.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.In our district, there are two issues that could greatly impact our finances: 1)In 2013-2014 school year, the state of Illinois only fulfilled 89% of payments to school districts. Two proposals are currently being filed in the Illinois Senate to address school funding: one would relieve districts from the burden of unfunded state mandates in exchange for districts picking up the bill for pensions; the other seeks to redistribute funding from more wealthy school districts to less wealthy districts. This legislation has the potential to negatively impact our school's finances. 2)The ongoing facility renovations and curriculum changes will continue in the coming years. In order to be good stewards of our school's finances, we should continually scrutinize expenses, and reduce inefficiencies while maintaining our mission and academic excellence.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 neither currently employed nor retired from any school district. No members of my direct family are employed by Oak Grove School district.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?I believe that our school board should start any negotiation with school employee groups with an open attitude. Positive and respectful negotiations are necessary to re-establish relational trust between all parties. The school board, administration and school employee groups should work in partnership to be fiscally responsible while meeting the educational needs of our students. Working collaboratively, they would work out the specifics for any new contract.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?I would not support a pay increase for the purpose of boosting pension benefits. Administrator pay increases should be based only upon merit and performance.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?-Improve relational trust between all stakeholders at Oak Grove School: parents, teachers, administrators, and school board. -Define, clarify and communicate procedures for change management at Oak Grove School: this applies to curriculum, programs, facilities, technology, etc. -Balance fiscal responsibility with Oak Grove School strategic needs to maintain Oak Grove School as an outstanding district. -Update our Strategic PlanPlease name one current leader who most inspires you.I am most inspired by the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize co-recipient, Malala Yousafzai, because she continues to fight for every child's right to an education.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To be honest and truthful, which shaped my character and helps me live my life with integrity.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I live my life without regret and learn from experiences both positive and negative. Consequently, there are no do overs, just feedback for the future.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was math which helped me become a chemical engineer.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?My advice is that success in education is critical to give you options for career paths in life.