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Dana Shaw: Candidate Profile

Itasca District 10 School Board

Back to Itasca District 10 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: ItascaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Itasca District 10 School Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married, 4 childrenOccupation: AttorneyEducation: Juris Doctorate (University of Toledo College of Law; Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (The University of Toledo)Civic involvement: Board of Directors, Invisible Girl ProjectElected 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?Having four children that attend District 10 schools, I am extremely satisfied with the preparation for high school, college, and full-time employment. Fortunately, I have had the opportunity to be in the schools consistently and see first-hand the lessons and programs implemented. The attention and care given to the students by teachers, administrators, and staff provides a great atmosphere for learning. This foundation which is based on respect, responsibility, and school pride is definitely preparing the students not just to be successful in the classroom, but in life.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.Budgetary issues are always a primary concern in any school district, and the top priority needs to be fiscal stability for the school district. The uncertainty of the state complicates the budget especially as it relates to pension costs. The next four years will present an opportunity to look at long term financial projections and make adjustments yearly to manage the budget. Cutting any program will have a ripple effect throughout the entire district; therefore if cuts are necessary, programs must be evaluated with the advice and input of principals, teachers, and parents. In terms of tax increases, hopefully there will be no need to go to referendum if the state provides the necessary resources. The decision to increase taxes if necessary should be made by the community.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?The school board should be open minded and neutral as new issues arise. In the case of contract talks regarding employee groups, each request and situation needs to be evaluated based on current circumstances. There is a balance between fairly compensating school employees and financial stability in the district. An open dialogue should occur before any decisions are made concerning concessions or increases in pay/benefits.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. In this situation the individual should consult with a financial advisor or attorney for guidance with pension and retirement benefits. It is generally not sound practice to inflate salaries merely for retirement benefits.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Civility and collaboration are two essential attributes of any successful team, organization, or board. As issues arise, it is important to evaluate and access the problem and look at all potential solutions. I anticipate finances and taxes will continue to be issues that confront the school board, and it is important to hear the voices of all parties and work together to find the best solution to keep the Itasca schools operating at the most efficient level.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?It would be a combination of integrity, hard work, and faith. I am very thankful for my parents instilling values and teaching life lessons.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would not take a do-over as I try to live each day to its fullest and learn from each experience whether a success/failure.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History and geography were my favorites. Having the opportunity to live cross-culturally for many years, I appreciated the culture and heritage of other countries.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?My husband and I try to teach our children the truth about life and how to make wise choices with eternal value.