Matt Winkle: 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: Candidate did not respond.Website: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Batavia Unit D101Age: 44Family: Wife-Chris, 3 sons13, 11, 7Occupation: Weldstar Co.Education: Grade school though HS #8211; Batavia Public SchoolsBA - Michigan State UniversityGraduate classesFDU, IU-KokomoCivic involvement:-Board of Education since 2006Formerly Board member of: Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence and Big Brother/Big Sisters, BYF among others. Elected offices held: BOEHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Candidate did not respondQuestions AnswersKey Issue 1 I wouldn't characterize them as campaign issues, but three things that are important to me are; 1) Providing a safe and comfortable environment for learning, free from any external or internal threats including violence, intimidation or bullying. 2) Making sure BPS101 remains on firm financial ground in both the short and long term. 3) Targeting Student learning in such a way that our children are provided the opportunity to excel at a level appropriate to each student's ability. The district can provide opportunity but students and parents must take advantage of those opportunities. It is a shared responsibility. Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respondKey Issue 3Candidate did not respondQuestions 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? Satisfied would not be the correct word. I believe Batavia has excellent schools and as a whole administration, teaching staff, support staff and board members are never satisfied. Our philosophy must be one of continuous improvement. Currently, for example, staff is implementing strategies that target reading improvements across all levels. In addition, a new high school math sequences was implemented to better target student learning. Those are just two of many examples of ongoing improvements. 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? The district faces many budget issues similar to most all of our counterparts in Illinois if not nationally. State categorical funding continues to diminish. General state aid continues to be late and unpredictable making annual budgeting difficult at best. Spiraling EAVs and limited new growth have led to a significant reduction in anticipated local revenue. There are external and internal pressures on expenses, including rising energy costs, transportation costs, health care increases, unfunded mandates, and contractual obligations. The finance committee has recently recommended a reduction of 2.45 Million dollars in 2011-2012 budgeted expenditures using multiple strategies. Administration is to present a revised budget at a future meeting. 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 think teachers can bring a valuable perspective to a board. I also believe construction workers, IT professionals, accountants, nurses, and most any other walk of life can bring value to a board based on their life experiences. What is most important to me is that our school board has diversity so that it best represents Batavia. 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 don't believe it is good practice to negotiate bargaining agreements in the press. 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? Laws have been enacted to help prevent these practices. I believe administrative increases should be based on merit not on projected retirement income.