Duane Schmitt: Candidate Profile

Back to Central Unit District 301 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: BurlingtonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Central Unit District 301 School Board Age: 61Family: Wife Mary of 40 years, 3 sons all married with 3 grandchildrenOccupation: Retired Construction SuperintendentEducation: 1973 graduate of Central 3014 years of Carpenter apprentice trainingCivic involvement: Past 18 year and founding member of CDBL ( Central District Baseball League )Past member of Central Athletic BoostersCurrent member of Burlington Township Cemetery AssociationElected offices held: Current 301 board Vice PresidentQuestions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?I have lived in the district since 1969 when I moved in as a freshman in high school. I stayed in the district to raise my family and give them the same educational experience that I had. Now that I am retired I feel the need to give back to our community. I also feel that my 15 years of school construction would be a great asset to the district during the high school addition.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?I like the process for measuring student success that we have now. Our student tested out to having to highest scores in the county.How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?The board has a big part of setting curriculum. A board member sets on the curriculum committee and reports to the board each month. The board uses that information along with recommendations to keep the curriculum current and up to date. I don't think thatWhat 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 main budget issue that we have right now is the state aid the district receives from Springfield. I don't believe cut are needed now or in the near future. I do not support a tax increase. The board has paid off some debts and even with a new referendum we will have a lower tax rate.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 don't think that school choice will have a big impact in our district because our test scores are among the best in the county. I also believe that is why our student enrollment is rising. We have a good curriculum along with a great fine arts program, extra curricular and athletics. But if some students did want to attend other schools we would have to budget accordingly.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I think that student enrollment growth is a consern to our district. The board needs to plan for future growth but in a manner to minimize a burden on the tax payers.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Joe MaddonWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Be respectful.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would spend it on my time mangement.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Math and math is something that I used every day in the construction field.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?You get out of life what you put into it and don't be afraid to try anything you want to do.