Barbara Slusin: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Crystal LakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Crystal Lake H.S. D155Age: 45Family: Married to Rick Slusin. Two sons Eric Slusin CLC 2007 Grad and Shane Slusin CLC Class of 2011.Occupation: Office ManagerEducation: Cary-Grove HS 1983Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Board Member CHSD155 Elected April 2003-PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Being fiscally responsible while expecting a continuance in a quality education.Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respond.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your district is 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 District is always concerned about whether our students are ready for life after high school. Classes have been added to give students opportunities to see if they want to continue on their career path. With the global changes we face classes need to be reviewed to see that they are still relevant to the needs of our students.What budget issues will the district have to confront? What measures do you support to address them? If cuts are needed, be specific about programs and expenses that should be reduced or eliminated. Do you support any tax increases for local schools?Everyone is aware of budget issues within our community. Cuts were made last year to balance the budget and more are on the horizon. Hard choices will have to be made and the budget needs to be balanced, without being detrimental to our childrens education. As stewards of the taxpayers money this is my position as a Board Member.Is experience as a teacher or support from a union valuable because it suggests educational insights or detrimental because it creates pro-teacher bias? Please clarify whether you have such experience or would accept union support.Perspective from all different areas is helpful as long as it is done in an unbias manner. If both sides have done their research and discused it rationally a lot can be gained by all parties involved.As contract talks come up with various employee groups, what posture should the board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?With these tough economic times I believe all parties need to come to the table understanding there is only so much money and that the taxpayer isn't an open checkbook. The citizens in the comunity have had to tighten their belts to keep their homes and pay their bills and so must the district. The board must be fiscally responsible to the 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?Pension benefits are the hot topic right now. I do not support substantial increases prior to retirement. The community should not have to incure that burdon.