Rick Leidig: Candidate Profile

Back to St. Charles Unit District 303 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: St. CharlesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: St. Charles Unit District 303 School Board Age: 45Family: My wife Cheri and I have five sons. We have two at the elementary level, two at the junior high level and one in high school. We are impacted by every decision on all levels of our children's education. I have lived and been a homeowner in St. Charles for 20 years. I have lived on the east side of the river, the west side and now the far west side. I also have multiple extended family members living within the district.Occupation: Industrial Hardware DistributionEducation: I have attended Triton College, Elgin Community College, Columbia College, and DePaul University.Civic involvement: I have been a member of the Lions Club, St. Charles Baseball coach, Wasco Baseball coach, Chicago Cares volunteer and several other volunteer coaching positions.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?The current educational experience in D303 is excellent. With student population shrinking in the coming years, this should hopefully decrease class sizes and increase the time teachers spend with each student. We need to ensure all students needs are being met. Although most schools are seeing declining population, some schools are seeing increased class sizes. I would like to see enrollment aides being used more often with large class sizes.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.Our homes that have not increased in value over the past several years in part due to the never ending increases on our taxes levied on our homes. This has contributed to a disproportionate tax to mortgage ratio for most home owners. Wages and property values are remaining flat and taxes are rising more than the yearly revaluation of our homes. I believe this is holding down the true value of our homes. If the tax levy increases were held at 0, property values will go up . Then the district would receive increased tax monies through revaluation of more expensive house, not over taxing houses of flat values.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?My wife Cheri is a private preschool teacher in St. Charles, and she occasionally subs 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?I believe all D303 teachers deserve fair compensation for the superior level of education they provide. However, the state of Illinois has been hinting at shifting small percentages of the teachers retirement onto the local districts. This would have a dramatic effect on your property taxes. Some families are struggling with their homes being underwater in value and a disproportionate tax bill. Also, some aging tax payers now struggle to stay in their homes. We will ultimately be held responsible for pension spiking used as a bargaining tool in contract negotiations.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?The superintendent's current pay includes $225,000 in salary. It requires the district to contribute to his retirement fund separate from the Teachers Retirement System. The district will contribute $15,000, plus a 6 percent incentive annuity for every year of his contract. He also receives $7,200 annual car allowance, travel expenses, professional development expenses, cell phone, and 23 paid vacation days. My answer would be never, I feel they are well paid. During the 2016 -2017 school year, the school board will be asked to find a new superintendent for the district. It is my opinion this person should be from within our district or cities within the area D303 encompasses. Preferably a person already active in the community or currently having children in or have been educated in D303. I am very confident we could find a qualified person for considerably less money and perks.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?With the Davis Richmond merger still being in headlines years after the boundaries being redrawn, we find the district in the situation of potentially having school boundaries redrawn and possible school closings. D303 administration has already alerted faculty of these possibilities. While the district battles in court till this day racking up a $425,000 plus in legal bills and complying with the judgment rendered against them, we have boundary issues looming again. We have several candidates seeking re-election who voted for these boundary changes. It makes me nervous that the community will not be heard again. The parents, tax payers and students deserve and are entitled to opportunities to give their input. These opportunities are mandated by law, but were denied this in the last school boundary redrawing. If I am elected to the board I will always be the voice of the electorate not the voice of the administration to you. During sensitive times such as boundaries changes, the board sets tone of how this will be done. The schools that we attend for a brief time in D303 become an extension of our homes. We become familiar with our classmates, families, faculty, administrators and develop school pride. This should not be overlooked.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Geoffrey CanadaWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I learned to never take for granted the sacrifices my parents made for their family.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?If I had one do-over it would be to live in another country for a year or two.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject was geometry. I use it daily in my workplace.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I have taught and will continue to teach my children to think for themselves, maintain their integrity and take responsibility for their actions.