Tony Valente: 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: Sugar GroveWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kaneland Unit District 302 School Board Age: 45Family: Wife Annette Valente Children: Paige 18, Emily 14 and Dominic 13Occupation: High School PrincipalEducation: Ed.S. 2010 Northern Illinois University in Educational Leadership M.A. 1998 Northeastern Illinois University in Educational Leadership B.S. 1993 Northern Illinois University in History Education A.S. 1990 Triton CollegeCivic involvement: -Kaneland District #302 Board Member 4years -Chicagoland Italian American Charitable Organization 10years - Sugar Grove Park District Coach 5yearsElected offices held: Kaneland 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?am not very satisfied with our students' achievement on the PSAE and ACT exams. I would suggest that the district align its curriculum to the ACT College and Career Readiness Standards. I would also suggest that the district employ the core quality exam sequence for local assessments as well as create local formative assessments that are aligned with the ACT format.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.Within the next few years, the local school district will be faced with two main budgetary concerns. First, the district will need to create a balanced budget based on the current local tax levy, limited growth in EAV and state contributions. Secondly, the district will need to begin to reduce the enormous debt that the school district has incurred in the last ten years. To deal with these issues, there needs to be an audit of the current budget to determine expenditures and begin the process of creating a board based value system that will direct spending. I believe we can pay the debt and work within the parameters of our current budget without cutting staff or student programs. I would not support a tax increase for 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?I am currently a high school Principal. I believe that experience as a teacher and as an administrator is vital to the current needs of our school board. With my experience in education for 21 years, I have had the opportunity to see what works, what doesn't work, how schools spend money and operate as well as working within the parameters of the collective bargaining agreement. Having such experience allows me to question best practices, expenditures and create validity with the union while, foremost, balancing the needs of the students with the interests of the community. I do not have any relatives that work in the Kaneland district, but I am very concerned about the conflict of interest that exists with two of the candidates, Gale Pavlak and Peter Lopatin, who both have relatives in key roles in the 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?Teacher negotiations should be ongoing and transparent. The district, the board and the union negotiation team should be in a continual cycle of reviewing the school budget with the understanding that teacher salary compensation is directly related to the needs of our district and the current budget restraints. I support a transparent approach to negotiations so that trust is established thus fostering smooth negotiations with all collective bargaining units.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 boost in the superintendent's or other administrator's salary. This has been a common practice across the state of Illinois causing great harm and strain on the current educational pension fund. Typically, school administrators already receive significant compensation and even without the increase, will have a substantial retirement.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?The biggest lesson I learned was that education was essential for my future.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Nothing..Life does not allow for do-overs. Focus on the good decisions and try not to make too many bad ones.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History was my favorite subject. It taught me how to think, predict and determine the cause and effect of events.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Prepare for the future but live for the moment.