MARGARET DELAROSA: 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: GLEN ELLYNWebsite: N/AOffice sought: Glenbard Township High School District 87 School Board Age: 53Family: husband, daughter and two sons. My husband and I both come form very large families,Occupation: Business AnalystEducation: BS Accounting - DePaul UniversityCivic involvement: Current community member on District 87 Finance Committee Past Glenbard West Booster Board Member Past President District 41 PTA Council Past President Hadley Jr. High PTA Past President League of Women VotersElected 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?I am satisfied Glenbard District 87 is adequately preparing students for full-time employment and college. It is imperative the board keep its attention on school report card numbers and continuously strive to maintain competitive schools. It is important all district students have a solid foundation for their life after Glenbard. Additionally, it is equally imperative Glenbard District 87 maintain curriculum and social emotional learning involvement in our feeder districts, so students entering District 87 are prepared, and excited to begin the next phase of their education. Our goal is to nurture and develop life students, so they leave our district with the tools and knowledge of how they learn best.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 budgetary issues Glenbard District 87 will confront in the next four years are reduced state funding and pension obligation shift from the state to local districts. The roll back of the state income tax from 5% to 3.75%, makes it highly probable general state aid, and categorical dollars (special education funding) could be reduced, and/or payments delayed. The current legislative proposal to shift the cost of pensions to local districts, may alleviate the state from its obligations, but will greatly impact Illinois school district operations and Glenbard will not be spared. The impact of these two issues must be addressed by the D87 board, and solutions embraced by the administration and teachers. As a board member it will be my goal to work cooperatively on a solution to keep our district operating within budgetary constraints.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 Glenbard District 87, nor is any member of my immediate familyAs 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?Contracts with teachers and support staff should be entered in good faith with the objective of negotiations established at that time; for the GEA that will be in 2017 and AFSME in 2016. Good faith cannot be established with preconceived, limited objectives.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 a pay boost were proposed for Glenbard District 87 superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement it would be assumed that such a pay boost is a contractual obligation, agreed to by a prior board. Although at one time it was common to boost teacher and administrator salaries prior to retirement, this is not generally done today given the state of Illinois no longer supports the increased cost. Pay increases in the past, were covered by the state, but in recent years this practice has changed do to the impact on state financesWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As a candidate for District 87, my concerns and interest include maintaining academically competitive schools, where students can pursue requirements and interests. On the business side of the house I am interested in ensuring the full implementation of our master facility plan, and maintaining our financial solvency.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.I have admired the work of former state representative, Sandy Pihos. She demonstrated knowledge of issues, welcomed dialogue, regularly engaged in community forums; works tirelessly.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I think one of the most important lesson learned while growing up is to treat others as you wish to be treated.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would attend a party given by a friend who I didn't see alive again as she unfortunately died two months later.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?An accounting class in high school became my college major, and shaped my career. I think it was an elective.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be true to yourself, and be comfortable with who you are.