Patrick M. Denlinger: 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: ElburnWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Kaneland Community Unit D302Age: 47Family: Married to Jennifer Denlinger. We have 3 children who attend Kaneland District 302 schools. Chaon is a senior, Clay a Sophmore both at Kaneland High School and Allie is a 6th grader at Kaneland Harter Middle School.Occupation: Sales for Armbrust Paper Tubes.Education: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Currently serve on the Village of Elburn Zoning Board, President of Elburn Express Travel Baseball and Secretary for the Kaneland Cager Travel Basketball Program.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.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 That we display to the taxpayers financial responsibility inall areas of business within the district. This must include working within a balanced budget for all departments while meeting or exceeding the educational needs of the students within the district.Key Issue 2 The continued improvement in the education of the students within our district to exceed state standards.Key Issue 3 The engagement of ongoing two-way conversations between the school district and the community they serve. We need to know what the community's educational expectations are and how we as advocates for the district can meet those needs.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 satisfied but,not complacent. We need to be aware of and engaged in actively seeking improvement for the teachers, staff, curriculum and testing methods. We need to prepare our students for higher forms of education in school or to be successful in the workplace.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?We need to cut $1 million in expenditures this year. I believe the budget reduction update presented by Superintendant Dr. Schuler to the Kaneland School Board is a good start in addressing the budget issues.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.Candidate did not respond.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?Candidate did not respond.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?Candidate did not respond.