Anne Blaeske: 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: LisleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lisle Unit District 202 School Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Candidate did not respond.Education: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected 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?We are very much preparing our students for their college career - however, being a very small district, we do have challenges that other districts do not have - such as access to more varied electives and AP courses. I would like to see us offer students accredited on-line learning to expand our curriculum.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.We are very well-positioned for the upcoming financial challenges. Our finance team has been diligent in saving money for any possible crises - such as the state pension reform. Our biggest challenge is that the district buildings are older and two are nearing the end of their lifespan - and others will require a lot of work. However, we do have a plan in place to address these issues and will be able to face them without cuts or referendums for additional funds.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 to both questions.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?We are fortunate in our district to have the funds to have open negotiations with the teachers without asking them for concessions. In our recent negotiations, we were able to come to reasonable agreements that balanced the needs of the teachers and the fiscal responsibility we have as board members.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, I do not. This is an occurrence that rarely happens in the private sector, and while I am all for excellent benefits and above average compensation in general, boosting their pay to add to their pension benefits, to me, is just unethical especially now in light of the current pension crisis.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As a mother of a child who has suffered bullying, one of my biggest goals is to see that we give voice to those children who have suffered from bullying and protect them. One way is through socio-emotional learning to try to curb bullying from kindergarten. Another is to see that kids feel comfortable and safe in speaking to administrators and know that the staff will be an advocate for them. Also, to see that teachers evenly apply and follow anti-bullying policies.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Elizabeth Warren.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?To be moral and ethical in all my dealings.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Asking for emotional help earlier in life for my depression.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English. You can avoid doing math, you can avoid doing science, but you can never avoid reading and writing.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never let anyone tell you that you can't do something.