Michael T. McCormick: 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: GenevaWebsite: www.mccormickforeducation.comOffice sought: Geneva Unit D304Age: 48Family: Wife Jessica and 5 children, Michael Jr., Collin, Evan, Ashley and MeghanOccupation: Attorney.Education: Double majored in Accounting and Finance from Miami Univ. Received my JD from Valparaiso Univ. LL.M. from John Marshal Law School and Concannon Cert from Notre Dame.Civic involvement: I serve on numerous philanthropic boardsElected offices held: noneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 My number 1 campaign issue and priority if elected will be to insure the ongoing success of the school system by good fiscal management. Particularly in these difficult economic times, the new Board and administration will have to do more with less. We have an excellent district and can make it stronger but will be faced with tough economic realities. I feel that by focusing on waste and inefficiency in the system we can provide the resources necessary for our children to succeed while still operating within tough economic strictures. We need to guarantee that our teachers have the best resources to allow our children to succeed while not breaking the budget or raising taxes. If we don't protect the tools that teachers need to see our children succeed we will rapidly fade into a subpar district. Key Issue 2 I would consider this a co number one issue and that is continuing to see to the success of our children and our school district. The last several years have seen some real advancement in the district with our award winning scholars and the overall test scores. I want to make sure that the Board continues to foster that success. It is imperative that the Board insure that the teachers have the resources and tools to make this district the best in the State. The students and the voters deserve nothing less.Key Issue 3 Another important issue arose recently with Governor Quinn indicating that he wanted to contract school districts to save money. I believe our next School Board needs to work with the superintendant and speak with a loud clear voice that this is not acceptable. Do we really want the people that gave us these out of whack, gerrymandered, voting districts to actually redraw our school districts? We would have one school district per ward in Chicago and one school district for the entire western part of the State. This is a horrible idea and the Board needs to make itself heard on this issue.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 believe the district is doing an excellent job in preparing students for the next stage in their lives but with everything in life one can't rest on one's laurels. We must continue to foster programs and curriculum options to address the varying needs of the students from vocational programs to additional college prep 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?I believe the board has had successes and failures in this area but should be commended for the savings they have garnered to date. However the economic climate on the horizon looks to be even worse. I believe that there may still be waste and redundancy in the budget. As an outside it is difficult to get a detailed view at what really lays behind the budget numbers but given the chance to get in the weeds if elected I believe there is still fat in the system that could be purged.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 do not and I would not. Having said that I have talked with many teachers, parents and voters over the past three months and their input, opinions and comments are invaluable. In particular the teachers have been extremely helpful when off the record at identifying the good and bad that is occurring in the district. I believe the Board should foster further input from the community in their decision making process.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?Having reviewed the budget and taking a look at the economy as a whole I believe everything alternative should be considered. I do not believe concessions are necessary at this point but we are all feeling the pain of this economy and holding the line on costs would definitely be on the table.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?Absolutely not! That practice should be banned by the legislature. It is clear that legislative intent was never to allow these last minute kisses to administrators. I would make it clear that the new Board stands aggressively against this practice. Our employees should be fairly compensated and deserve the retirement agreed to but this practice is an abuse of the system and should not be tolerated.