Mucia A. Burke: 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: SchaumburgWebsite: http://www.MuciaBurke.comOffice sought: Palatine-Schaumburg H.S. D211Age: 39Family: Married with three Children. Jim-Husband Mucia Marie(13) Alec(12) Brian(9)Occupation: Full time stay at home momEducation: B.S. in Exercise Physiology with a minor in Nutrition from Southern Connecticut State University, 1993Civic involvement: First Vice President of Schaumburg Council of PTASPast PTA President of Fredrick Nerge PTAPast youth sports coach in Soccer and Cheerleading for Schaumburg Athletic AssociationPast Girl Scout Leader for five yearsPast Member of Nerge's School Leadership Team.Current Member of the District 54 Citizen Advisory CommitteeElected offices held: NoneHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Accountability:To the student: to focus on student achievement and implementing policies that will ensure success for all students, preparing them for their next step after high school (college, trade school, work force).Key Issue 2 Accountability:To the tax payer: that their financial contribution to the School District is being spent in a responsible, conscientious manner.Key Issue 3 Accountability: From the School Board: that they will create a strong relationship with the community, respect the community and promote the community#146;s trust in the Board. To be fiscally responsible while budgeting for schools. To make decisions with the students#146; best interest in mind. To provide the necessary tools, resources and training to our educators to help them thrive in the school setting.Questions Answers Evaluate how the District 211 has used the money from the 2005 tax-hike referendum.The revenue that was aquired during the referendum was not managed in a way that satisied the community. The newly elected school board will need to work diligently in order to earn the trust of the tax payer. During these economic times people are working harder then ever to maintain finacial security. It will be the responsibility of the school board to manage funds carefully as well as transparent. Community members in D211 have always been supported of the school system, provided children are getting a quality education. If the schools are satifiying the needs of the children people will support spending with in the schools. The key to success in D211 will rely on improving the quality of education as well as spending with it's means.What steps must District 211 take to further bolster its reputation as one of the best high school district in the state?The first step should be to review spending. The board need to allocate funds to programs and resources that will directly impact student learning. Secondly, D211 needs to be accountable to the student. D211 needs to ensure that we are provinding a positive learning enivironment for all types of learners. It is crucial that students feel comfortable, safe and challenged in a school setting.Furthermore, the educators need to be constantly looking for new ways to touch a student. They need not be affraid to think outside the box to maximize a students potential. If the schools, students, parents and community all work together to foster learning and provide a solid foundation for kids today it will be inevidable that D211 will regain it's reputation; because our students will flourish and test scores will be on the rise.How well does the district spread resources and funding among its five schools? Is there equality or do things need to change? Cite examples, if you can.There is always going to be conversation of equality among the five schools when it comes to resources. Plain and simple all school resources should be on a rotation schedule. Regardless, of which school a student attends the resources and education should look the same.If elected, you will participate in negotiating the next teacher contract. What should change, if anything, in the next contract, and how well does Dist. 211 balance the need to retain top teaching talent with fiscal responsibility?At this point it is too early to speak in specifics as too what needs to change. The position I take on contract negotiations is to hear the wants and needs from both sides. I am from the belief system if the board makes finacial decison with the students best interest in mind we will do well. Regardless of which side of the negotiation table you sit it is imperative to be cognizant of the economical times.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 not expierenced this type of environment. I do feel that it makes sense to have a representative from the union. I believe that a union representative is helpful to understand the full dynamics of the needs of the teachers. D211 will need members on the School Board who are strong and intellegent on the subject matter. In order to be effective on the points at hand the school board will need to be open minded. Change can come in many directions to satisfy the needs of the majority.