Jennifer Shroder: 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: ElginWebsite: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002050989961Office sought: Elgin Area Unit D46Age: 52Family: married, two children in U-46Occupation: Freelance copy editor/layout editor, substitute teacherEducation: Bachelor of Arts, English, University of Illinois, ChicagoCivic involvement: I am currently president of Ellis PTE, member GPA, and ECN newsletter publisher. I am past treasurer of Larsen PTO, both president and secretary of Channing PTO, Girl Scout leader, on Elgin Community Network board, Bethlehem Lutheran board, BLC Child Development Center board, U-46 Citizens Advisory Council, and U-46 Bilingual Task Force.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 BOARD COMMUNICATION: Board members are elected officials who need to communicate more directly with stakeholders. The policies we have on paper need to be put into action.Key Issue 2 FAMILY ENGAGEMENT: The education of our children is the responsibility of the whole community. Family involvement in schools needs to be encouraged and supported. All data shows that family involvement is a major key to students#146; academic success.Key Issue 3 STRONG LEADERSHIP: Effective school administrators build a learning environment where all students can be successful and teachers are supported. We need to ensure that every student in this district attends a school with a strong leader at the helm.Questions Answers What prompted you to run for U-46 school board? If you're a newcomer, how will you make a difference? If you're an incumbent, how have you made a difference?If I want the district to work better, I have to be willing to step up and be a part of the solution. Some of the key things I want to address are: the way the district and the school board respond to stake holders, putting our family and community engagement policies into action, and improving the effectiveness of leadership at all levels. As a school board member, I am committed to being more accessible to all stake holders.With many area high school graduates having to take remedial classes before they can take college-level coursework, what can U-46 do to better prepare students for college?The reason we are playing catchup in high school is because we have failed at the elementary level. Good study habits and a passion for life-long learning are born at an early age. We need to focus our efforts on putting in place the most effective leadership at the lower levels. Effective leaders create a stimulating learning environment that engages students, teachers and parents. When students come out of elementary school well prepared, their chances of this carrying into middle school, high school and on into college are greater.Are you committed to eliminating U-46's operating deficit? The administration has set a goal of erasing it by the 2014-15 school year. Is that too aggressive or not enough? What areas would you target for reduction? Is anything off limits?Looking over the financial reports for the district I am impressed that they have managed as well as they have under rather dire circumstances. That said, I think we are playing catchup here too. It is not the district#146;s fault that the State of Illinois has such a flawed system for funding education. It certainly is not the students#146; fault, but those are the people we punish. Many states do a much better job of funding education and have the standing to show for it. We need to put our money where our mouth is and start publicly supporting education funding reform. We need to express a sense of urgency because every time we borrow money it comes out of the taxpayer#146;s pocket.With all union contracts up this year, how should the district approach negotiations? In light of the continuing deficit and state funding issues, do you support a salary freeze? If not, do you support contracts that tie increases to inflation?Every contract negotiated in this district should be considered with the students#146; learning in mind first. I wouldn#146;t support freezing teacher#146;s salaries without an across the board district-wide salary freeze. Teachers should not be singled out to carry the burden. The financial burden needs to be evenly distributed between all.While the district has not yet had to borrow to meet payroll, it has struggled with cash flow in recent months. What should the district do to manage cash flow so it will not have to rely on tax anticipation warrants? Should it restructure existing debt?The board just authorized borrowing $23 million on the chance that they would need to ease cash flow problems. Lending rates are at an all time low so it is logical that restructuring of debt should be looked into. However, I would like to know how it will effect the district#146;s bond rating before I would support such action.