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Douglas Pedersen: Candidate Profile

Big Hollow District 38 School Board 4-year term

Back to Big Hollow District 38 School Board 4-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: Round LakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Big Hollow District 38 School Board 4-year term Age: 53Family: Wife - Mary Daughter - Shannon Son - AaronOccupation: Senior Operations Tower PlannerEducation: Steinmetz High School 1975-1979 diploma Elmhurst College 1981-1985 Bachelor of ScienceCivic involvement: Big Hollow School Board Grant High School BoostersElected offices held: Big Hollow School Board MemberQuestions 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?Big Hollow has and will continue to develop in students the ability to apply to problem solving skills in their lives and meet the individual education needs of all students for advancement into high school and beyond.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.Big Hollow is facing a large potential deficit at the end of the 2014-2015 school year and less funding from the federal government and state of Illinois to the district. The district is currently looking into ways to reduce the deficit without affecting students. Cost cutting items to help reduce the deficit have included refinancing long term debt PI with 3 million dollar savings. Food service has been brought in house and the electricity using e-rate vendor resulting in lighting improvements and additional cost savings. Other possible savings for Big Hollow could include our bus contract which will be up for bid, and increase lunch fees. I am also very concerned with having to borrow 3.9 million in TAWS more than ever before.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?Big Hollow has recently reached a 4 year contract approved 11/14 effective through the 2017-2018 school year. Teachers and all staff should be willing to make concessions so student learning is not impacted further. Cuts need to looked at from top to bottom.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, as this would not be fiscally responsible for the district and community stakeholders.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Improving district MAP test scores. Achieve district (Recognition) status with the state. Improve communications with community. Selling Rt. 12 property at a price that will best serve the district.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Cardinal George because of his passion for helping all people with regardless of ethnic background and his strength and stamina while battling cancerWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Treat people the way you would like to be treated and to give back to the community when possibleIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?To be able to cure my mother who died of cancer so she could have enjoyed her grandchildrenWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Urban Studies as it has helped me to ask the right questions and reach out to outside sources to help the school and the communityIf you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Have confidence in yourself