Paul Charleston: 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: GurneeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Gurnee District 56 School Board Age: 44Family: My wife is Joann Charleston and my children are Ariella Charleston and Paul Charleston IIOccupation: Systems ArchitectEducation: I have attended the Tuskegee University and Depaul University.Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions 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?Our society is driven by technology, math and the sciences. In the area of technology District 50 has done a better job than many of the other districts in our area. I think more emphasis needs to be place on math and other sciences though.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.With new school and bus facility out of the way other than operating costs there should be no immediate concerns ahead. This is not the time to be looking at any educational cuts. If necessary I do support tax increases for the local schools.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?Both parties need to be fiscally responsible in any negotiation. The board needs to realize that cost of living increases are unavoidable and they must do what they can to retain top educational talent. Also employee groups must understand that because is essentially a non-profit organization funded by the taxpayers they must not let their requirements overburden the budget.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 do not think to do that is fiscally or ethically sound.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Minorities represent over 50% of the students attending school in the district, yet there is not minority representation on the school board. With my election to the board I hope to change that.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Barack ObamaWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Respect for others.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?More life long learning and experiences.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math, in technology math is all arond you.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Respect your parents and stay true to yourself.