Mark Rising: Candidate Profile

Back to Indian Prairie Unit District 204 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: AuroraWebsite: www.rising204.comOffice sought: Indian Prairie Unit District 204 School Board Age: 46Family: Married for 18 years to my wife Veveca. 2 daughters - Amanda who is in 5th grade and Alexandra who is a Junior in High School.Occupation: Sales Manager for a Healthcare Software CompanyEducation: University of Wisconsin, Whitewater, WI. Bachelor Degree in Communications and Marketing.Civic involvement: IPSD Current Involvement - Indian Prairie Parents Council, Parents Diversity Advisory Council, Special Needs PTA, Metea Valley High School PTSA, Nancy Young Elementary PTA. Metea Valley Athletic and Music Supporter and Volunteer. Attend multiple school events throughout IPSD Appointed to City of Aurora Mayor's Sustainability Advisory Board Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Member - Teach Fuel (middle school kids), Sub for Sparks (elementary school kids), Men's CRHP Member. Oakhurst North HOA Representative Naperville Township Republican Organization - Precinct Committeeman Frequently attend many legislative and civic organization meetings including Naperville Chamber, Naperville Area Homeowners Confederation, Naperville City Council, and Aurora City CouncilElected offices held: 2011-Current, Indian Prairie School District Board of Education 2008-Current, Naperville Township Republican Organization Precinct CommitteemanQuestions 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 very satisfied that IPSD is adequately preparing students at all levels including college or full-time employment. Since I have been part of the Board of Education our test scores continue to improve, but equally important is our instruction has continued to improve. Our academic achievement far exceeds the State of IL average and we are one of the highest academically achieving school districts in DuPage and Will Counties. It is my to make sure we never settle, always measure how all our students are learning and performing, and continue to improve our instruction. IPSD needs to continue to be one of the leaders and innovators in teaching and learning. IPSD was honorably chosen as 1 of 4 school districts in the country that is part of the Charlotte Danielson Framework for Teaching. The goal is to improve teacher training through professional development. This will also help IPSD better evaluate our teachers. In addition, IPSD is 1 of 57 school districts in the country that is part of the League of Innovative Schools. This is a national coalition of school districts that shares ideas, collaborates with education leaders and entrepreneurs, and researchers. School districts were chosen for their commitment to creating and implementing new ways of reaching and engaging students. As a school board member it is my number one priority to make sure that all of our students are succeeding with the best equipped and trained teachers in front of them.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 two biggest issues facing IPSD is the reformulation of how public education is funded in IL (formally SB16, now SB01), and the possibility of Pension Cost Shift to local school districts. These issues would cost IPSD $10M and $14M respectively on an annual basis. Currently, IL is 49th worst State for funding public education and these changes would have a major impact on our school district. I am proud that IPSD has been able to maintain a balanced budget while 67% of the school districts in IL are deficit spending. IPSD is the largest school district still balancing their budget in IL. In my 4 years on school board IPSD has reduced spending by over $34M (over $40M in 5 years). IPSD is the most efficient school district in DuPage County spending less of your tax dollars per student while maintaining high academic achievement. Efficiencies will continue to be necessary every year. All of our expenses need to be evaluated on a yearly basis. This includes staffing efficiencies, operational efficiencies, outside contracts. Going forward we need to encourage community support of the Indian Prairie Education Foundation. I would like IPSD to hire a grant writer and explore all possibilities of generating NEW revenue. IPSD needs to focus on alternative ways of generating revenue. I hope if I am re-elected I will receive the support of my fellow board members and administration to explore alternative revenue sources. In turn, I hope this will reduce the burden put on our taxpayers.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 employed by any school district and no one is in my family.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?IPSD has maintained, and continues to maintain, a strong relationship with its employee groups. IPSD practices Interest Based Bargaining and therefore does not posture but works collaboratively with the employee groups to do what is best for our school district. While satisfying mutual interests we have been successful at reaching agreements with our employee groups. Through this type of bargaining the focus goes beyond immediate issues and addresses longer term interests and concerns. IPSD did negotiate concessions in their last contract regarding health care benefits, reduction of paid benefits for part-time tenured employees, and a freeze on stipends It is my personal belief that the school board should live within its financial means, keeping in mind what is best for the school district, students, staff and taxpayers.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 am personally not in favor of increasing the superintendent or other administrators pay to help boost their pension benefits. I respect the money that any superintendent or administrator has paid into their pension or TRS and want ensure that it is always protected. However, I am not a fan of the pay boost.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?My top issues are very much in-line with the Board of Education goals are for Indian Prairie School District. 1. Continue to monitor and improve academic achievement by helping all students learn and perform better in school. 2. Hire and retain a high quality and effective teaching staff. 3. Always manage our resources and finances efficiently and effectively, keeping in mind that this is the taxpayers money. (very important) 4. To be student and community focused and make sure that I am attending school and community events. Through this process I will listening to students, parents, taxpayers, community members, and staff members so that I can make the best possible decisions as a school board member. Separate from board goals my other concern is for our students and their social and emotional well-being. We need to never lose sight of this. Finally, I believe we as a community, as parents, and as a school district all need to constantly work together to reduce drug use and number of offenses we have been witness to in our neighborhoods and in our schools. My hope is we all continue to stand together strong on this issue.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Malala Yousafzai, 2014 Nobel Prize Laureate. For her struggle against suppression of children, human rights advocacy, and the right for all children to an education.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?How to be independent and succeed when all odds were against me, coming from a single parent economically disadvantaged background.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have become a teacher and a positive influence in my students lives while teaching all my students to the best of my abilities.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History - Learn from the past and be the best person and leader I can be, while overcoming odds and learning from my struggles.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always try your best and never give up!