Ann Murtaugh: Candidate Profile

Back to Geneva Unit District 304 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: BataviaWebsite: n/aOffice sought: Geneva Unit District 304 School Board Age: 51Family: Happily married for 31 yr. blessed with 3 wonderful children.Occupation: Event SpecialestEducation: certification computer opperations.Civic involvement: Chairperson 10 yrs. Holy Cross Barnsale. Catechest for 13yrs. Holy Cross. Election judge 8 yrs. Kane county.Elected offices held: n/aQuestions 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?I am 68% satisfied. Due to the fact that we are 12th in the state. With above average learning capacity our high school students need vocational training for technology and health service certificationWhat 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.Total Debt (principal and interest) is $325,600,000â#128;brvbar;1/3 of a billion dollars Nationally, schools our size have an average total debt of $50,000,000 The heavy pain takes hold in 2016, when we must pay $23,794,798 in principal and interest. We, the tax payers, have to pay this huge (total) debt back by 2027. This is not about blame, it's about doing the right things starting now. It's about transparency, clarity, and doing better for taxpayers. The budget for 2014-2015 is projected to have a shortfall of $4,857,852. Therefore I do believe cuts are necessary and the most responsible approach. Reduction and eliminations that need to occur, remain in the taxpayers interest. I do not support tax increase for Dist.#304 at this time.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, I am not currently employed by or retired from a school district. I have no direct family members employed by the Geneva 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?The school board should take the posture of saving where there is room to save. One way to do so is to reduce the spending as our district is currently over budget. I expect employee costs will stay the same, but reductions in individual spending could be averted by ordering supplies in bulk rather than many small costly purchases.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?If our district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, I would not support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits. I would not do this as this retirement was not agreed upon when the job was taken in the initial contract.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Our administration consists of very well paid administrators. Whom work together to provide good input on needs of students, teachers, and administrative staff who are then represented by the Superintendent who is present at all school board meetings. Taxpayers, however, have only volunteers to represent them in the form of school board members. The voter appointed school board members need to think independently at school board meetings. It's about transparency, clarity, and doing better for taxpayers. Just as term limits are becoming an important issue with our political representatives, we should consider applying the same term limits to our current Geneva school board. Provide quality education. Balance the budget. Provide tax relief to Geneva property owners.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Ken RamseyWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Do unto others as you wish others to do unto you.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Life does not give you â#128;~do over's' I wouldn't change a thing.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English class. This class gave me the ability to read and write. I have appreciated both my capability and freedom of expression throughout my lifetime.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?It doesn't matter what you have in life, it MATTERS what you do with it.