Kathleen Roberts: 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 respondOffice sought: Batavia Unit D101Age: 62Family: Husband: Tom, 60; Daughters: Annie, 27; Wren, 23Occupation: Retired: Corporate Advertising/Marketing Executive; Editor, children's encyclopedia; Teacher, High School EnglishEducation: Northwestern University, Evanston, IL. BA + graduate work (English Education)Civic involvement: West Suburban Symphony Singers; Naperville Chorus; Naperville Chamber Singers; Apollo Chorus of Chicago; RMS team volunteer, PAC; J.B. Nelson room mother, classroom volunteer. Also Inter-Governmental Committees for sale/re-development of Batavia Junior High; purchase/development of Mooseheart property; School Naming Committee; High School Honors/AP Committee.Elected offices held: Batavia School Board, 1991-Present; Vice-President-Batavia School Board, 10 years.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Candidate did not respondCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Provide quality education within the budget/tax parameters set by the community. In light of the current economy and the state's inability to pay the bills owed to school districts, it is a challenge to continue providing education as we know it in Batavia. I will try to do first those things which impact education the least with the knowledge and understanding that for many children, it is the artistic, athletic and extra-curricular programs that keep them on track and inspire them to excellence in the classroom. Key Issue 2 Use existing resources efficiently. We must use our money, materials, facilities, people, programs and time in the most effective ways possible. I want to be certain we are getting maximum results from our programs and people and from the dollars we spend.Key Issue 3Hire and retain quality educators and administrators. The superintendent and other top administrators and teachers will retire within the newly elected board's term of office. We need to begin planning for a search process.Questions AnswersHow 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?We are fortunate that BPS 101 is a high-performing district. I believe we do a good job transitioning our students from elementary to middle to high school. I do, however, believe there are some areas, especially in the high school math curriculum, that negatively impact students entering from other districts or transferring to attend elsewhere. I also think we adequately prepare our high school students to be successful at the colleges typically attended by our graduates. We could do a better job preparing those students who aim for Ivy League and other Tier 1 colleges and universities. Our building trades program and other vocational courses available through the Fox Valley Career Center provide our students with exceptional opportunities to prepare for continuing vocational education or to directly enter the work force. I would like to see us do placement testing for students entering middle and high school. Many of our students know more than they have an opportunity to demonstrate in school and many are followed by an elementary or middle school assessment that may no longer be valid. Placement testing would give students an opportunity to demonstrate what they know and are able to do and would allow parents and the school district to knowledgeably advise and place each student in the proper course level. Recently we have begun to survey parents and students about their experiences in BPS 101 which is providing information needed to evaluate our programs. 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?Batavia Public Schools face the state's inability to pay its bills owed to the district, declining property values resulting in decreased local revenue, and paying down debt. At the current time, two groups are working on these issues. The administration, the board finance committee and the district's bond advisors are studying and testing various approaches to maintaining financial solvency. And teachers and administrators are working through an Education Program Review. These processes will provide a logical and rational framework for decision-making. I am deferring comment on both these issues until these groups finish their work. I do not believe an operating referendum is an option at this time.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, you have to know and remember who you represent and whose dollars you are spending. Board members walk a fine line between protecting the taxpayers' investment and supporting students and teachers by spending money in fair and equitable ways. I always want to be sure there is a fair balance between the needs of the students, teachers and taxpayers. I taught for one year in the Chicago Public Schools and have a daughter completing her master's in education. This gives me insight into the challenges and rewards of teaching. As a taxpayer living on a fixed income, I also have insight into the challenges of living within a budget. I would accept union support if they choose to give it because I know#8230;and trust that the unions know#8230;that I study the issues, ask questions and make what I believe to be the best balanced decisions for students, teachers and taxpayers. 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?Both the Board and employee groups need to listen with open minds, be collaborative and work toward consensus. In Batavia, we have outstanding employees who deserve to be fairly compensated and rewarded. Given the current economy, however, I believe both the Board and our employee groups need to approach negotiations with realistic expectations. There are finite dollars available and state mandates to achieve balanced budgets. I believe the Batavia Board and our employee groups are equally interested in doing those things that will have the least negative impact on children and education. At this time, I do not believe an operating referendum is a source of additional revenue. 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?No. The state limits increases to 6% per year, a number that is high in itself. In my mind, an administrator would have to make an extraordinary contribution to the betterment of the district to achieve that increase; and that contribution would have to come in the period immediately preceding retirement. I expect every employee to contribute 100+% right up to the day of retirement. If there are any salary increases, they should be transparent, based on current performance and within legal parameters.