Douglas D. Pedersen, 4 years: 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: Round LakeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Big Hollow Elementary D38, 4-year termAge: 49Family: Married,2 ChildrenOccupation: Senior Operations PlannerEducation: Bachelor of Science in Urban Studies, 1985 Elmhurst CollegeCivic involvement: Big Hollow School BoardElected offices held: Big Hollow School Board, 2005-PresentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Reducing the budget deficit for the next five yearsKey Issue 2 Capacity - Big Hollow is full with no open classrooms at this time.Key Issue 3 Selling Rt. 12 PropertyQuestions 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?Currently, I am satisfied with the student preparation for high school and beyond. I would expect continued improvement thru RTI, an academic talented program for all students, and an opportunity to learn a foreign language in the form of an after school program.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?Big Hollow is facing a potential 2.6 million dollar deficit at the end of the 2011-2012 school year and less funding from the federal government and state of Illinois to the District. The District is currently looking into ways to reduce the deficit without affecting the students. For the 2011-2012 school year, the District has brought back, in house, 3 SEDOL Special Ed programs including part psychology, early childhood and integrated kindergarten at a potential savings of $472,000. I would support a reduction in the number of busses with a potential savings of $1,000,000. to the District. Other items to be considered for possible savings for Big Hollow could include eliminating the contracted cleaning service, restructuring current bonds, and limited personnel reductions. I would support either a working cash bond or a rate increase referendum.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.As a board member I am open to information from the public and teachers that the board works with. I take all the information and suggestions and make non biased decisions.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?The school board should be fair and honest but fiscally accountable to the District and the community during the collective bargaining process. When a District enters into negotiations, all items within the contract are open for consideration.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?A school District is currently bound by the 6% rule. No employee may receive an increase greater than 6% or both the District and the employee would face monetary penalties. The days of greatly inflating salaries prior to retirement are over.