Matthew Napierkowski: 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: Vernon HillsWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Hawthorn Elementary D73Age: 41Family: Married, two children.Occupation: Manager, Policy Analysis for Walgreen, Co.Education: Bachelors in Political Science (minors in Economics and Christian Studies), Aurora University, 1992.Civic involvement: Soccer Coach (rec program GLSA and rec/travel programs Vernon Hills Cougars)Soccer Board Member - Secretary - Vernon Hills CougarsCub Scouts, Pack 273 - Leader for Den 11Hathorn PTO - Market Day Co-ChairpersonVarious volunteer activities with Hawthorn schoolsElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 As a concerned parent, I want to be able to be involved in the decisions that will impact the direction of Hawthorn District 73 schools and our children's education. I feel that my perspective as a relative ""newcomer"" to the District (we have lived in Vernon Hills for almost 3 years) and as a parent of children (First Grader in Elementary North and Sixth Grader in Middle School North) who will be in the system for some time is important for the Board.Key Issue 2 I want to be able to use my experience in Springfield, as a State Senate Staff Memeber, a Legislative Liaison and as a lobbyist, to assist the District.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 am very satisfied that Hawthorn District 73 is preparing most of the children to succeed in life.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?Like any unit of government today, District 73 is facing the threat of limited dollars. Before talking about any specific program cuts, however, I really would like to see the District explore other resources that may be presently untapped or forgotten. Some resources may be fairly simple to identify, such as participatory fees. Some of our District's programs require them, others don't. Without making the programs inaccessible due to cost, we must explore reasonable fee levels to support the programs. Another resource activity the District could look towards is creating stronger partnerships with businesses and other entities in the community (there must be opportunities there for programming opportunities or sponsorships). A final example may be the establishment of a District Foundation to accept donations and grant money and the hiring of a full-time grant writer to seek out such revenue sources.I do not support any tax increases 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.I have always believed that teachers do not recieve the proper credit in our communities. We value celebrities far too much, and ignore the contribution teachers make to the future through our children. I welcome any support from indivduals and groups that would partner together for the good of our children.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?It is my understanding that the District has had a good relationship with the teachers and employees. I think that we must continue that relationship, knowing that our children are the ultimate beneficiaries, as we look to see what the continued impact of the struggling economy and the pending implementation of new laws, like the health care reform enacted last year, has on the business of providing children an education.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. I do not support unjustified pay increases to boost pensions. To me, an increased work responsibility load and a reasonably expected time spent fulfilling those responsibilities would dictate whether there is justification for any pay increase.