Michael Skala: 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: HuntleyWebsite: http://www.mikeskala.comOffice sought: Consolidated D158Age: 39Family: Wife: Carol Daughters 15 and 11 Occupation: Owner, Innovative Component Sales, Inc. Education: BS in OMIS from Northern IL University Civic involvement: Candidate did not respond.Elected offices held: Board of Education started in 1997 Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: Candidate did not respond.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Candidate did not respond.Key Issue 2 Candidate did not respond.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?The District has come a long way since I was first elected a Board Member in 1997. The District is currently working on a plan that will make District 158 the leader in the Fox Valley. The opportunities for improvement are analyzed for potential changes to the programming and the successes are tweaked for optimal outcomes. 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?I do not support any new taxes for the residents of District 158. The District has cash reserves that allow the District to not need TAW borrowing in the spring each year. I would support making the necessary cuts to spending to maintain a balanced budget. The cuts need to come from the areas that have the least impact on student learning. In the past these have come from O M, Technology and contracts with purchased services. 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.My wife has been a teacher for 16 years. Her knowledge and experiences provides additional insight so I am able to make excellent educational decisions. I would not accept union support. 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?Any contract discussions need to reflect the current conditions of the economy. All contracts needs to reflect budget considerations and optimize the best learning environment for the children of the District. 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, it is unfair to the tax payers in the District.