Richard Payne: 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: GurneeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Woodland District 50 School Board Age: 57Family: Wife- RobinSon - BenjaminDaughter - KellyOccupation: ControllerEducation: Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Was on the Gurnee Day's CommitteePast member of the Stonebrook Estates Homeowners AssociationElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers School finances seem to be a problem. What do you see as the main cause of financial difficulties and what solutions would you offer if elected?I think the biggest cause of financial difficulties for grad schools in this state is the lack of focus on Primary education by our elected officials. Everyone seems focused on funding the colleges in the state and seem to neglect the lower levels. If elected I will try to get the focus back on the educational foundation that the grade and high schools provide. A good primary education is the stepping stone to success at the high school and college levels.As you know, state funding follows Woodland students whose parents elect to send them to Prairie Crossing Charter School in Grayslake - a longtime bone of contention. Do you see that as a problem? Please explain.When you are talking about State funding, YES! Prairie Crossing serves less than 400 students compared to over 5,700 students at Woodland, yet they are getting nearly half of the State funding dollars. The State really needs to look at the charter schools in the state to ensure that they are truly following state mandates. The people of Illinois shouldn't be funding what may amount to private schools.With enrollment declining to 5,882 from 6,549 in 2012, per the state's report card, how to you view the district's staffing levels. Are there too many employees and what should be done? Please elaborate.Staffing is the districts largest expense, yet it's greatest investment. I believe staffing will have to be reduced, but not at the detriment to the education of our children. I would like to see smaller class sizes so that students can get the attention they deserve and need from the educators that we are entrusting our children's educational future with.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?The biggest budget issues that our district, and all districts in the state, are facing is reduced funding from the State and Federal governments. I think we need to be vigilant to ensure that our educational dollars are being spent in the most effective way. I would push for reduced State funding of our university system and redirect those funds to the primary systems in the state. Without a good primary education, colleges will end up teaching the basics that students should have already learned at lower levels.I do NOT support any tax or fee increases. With declining enrollment and an aging community that is not a logical solution. I support the initiatives that the current school administration has discussed such as reducing the number of hiring paying staff positions (Asst. Principals/Principals).What role can and should school choice play in your district? If Congress or the state approves a voucher system or other means giving students broader choices among public and private schools, how will that affect your district? What is the appropriate response for the board of education of a public school system?I think school choice is important. If our public schools aren't doing the job that they should be then people should have the option of sending their children to a school that will provide what they need. It's similar to business, it creates competition. If Woodland's enrollment drops due to students transferring to an alternate school, then we should be looking at what they are offering that we aren't.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I believe that the school board should be representative of all the residents of the district. They need to work together for the benefit of ALL the students in the district, not just a select few.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.May not be current, but Mike Leavitt, a Sr. Vice president at Discover Card. He is an excellent public speaker.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?That family is the most important thing in the world.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Business Law, it's helped me throughout my career reviewing contracts and leases.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Do what truly makes you happy.