Cathy Dremel: 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: BataviaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Batavia Unit D101Age: 43Family: Married, 3 children.Occupation: Stay at home momEducation: Bachelor of Science in Commerce, DePaul University, 1989Masters in Business Administration, NIU, 2000Civic involvement: Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence, Various chair positions for PTO activities,Elected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To continue providing the excellent education offered in Batavia, while working within the financial constraints presented by our faltering economy.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?I currently only have experience at the elementary and middle school levels. I have been pleased with the transition into middle school. I also receive e-mails concerning transitioning into high school, as well as preparing for college. It appears Batavia is doing a good job, but experience will give me a better understanding of this topic. Because it appears that Batavia is doing a good job of preparing our students, I see no specific changes that need to be made.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?My understanding is that we will have a shrinking budget and cuts will be needed. My priorities have always been classroom instruction first, and all extra-curricular activites next. It is hard to target specific programs when I do not have the costs readily available, however, I would prioritize funding classroom items over other acivities. I feel we should examine the amount being spent on extracurricular activities and would support greater family contributions toward participating in extra activities. I would also support scholarship programs for families who cannot afford extra fees. No, I do not support tax increases for local schools, particularly in the current economic situation.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.I have neither experience as a teacher nor support from a union. I have logged a large number of volunteer hours in my local school thereby giving me an appreciation of the experiences and challenges faced by good teachers. We hire teachers to be the professionals in the classroom and we have a School Board to provide overall direction for the district in the best interests of the community. These are distinctly different duties. I have interacted with many excellent teachers, and believe they are on the front lines of what we are trying to accomplish educationally. Having seen the heart and soul poured into the students at my local school, I recognize that supporting teachers is the most important role every member of a community can play, whether as a parent, or a School Board Member. I would not seek support from any specific group because I think this can create the appearance that a candidate or board member then has an obligation to any group that supported them. This interferes with the objective, thoughtful process that is necessary to make good decisions for all students in Batavia. I feel that support from individuals in our community is the real value.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?I beleive the budget process last year beautifully demonstrated the collaborative approach between the School Board and the teachers' union. I think we need to realistically look at our finances, and expect that all levels of district employees will continue to work collaboratively for what is best for all parties. This very well may require concessions, or cost cutting at all levels, and no increase in pay or benefits at this time. Private sector employees have seen the effects of revenue contraints for the lat several years and it is reasonable to expect that the school district may need to implement similar measures as private business.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?I would not support a substantial increase in pay to help boost pension benefits. I think that this practice is unrealistic when compared to the common man's retirement expectations, and creates an unwarranted burden on taxpayers to pay these inflated pension benefits.