Patti Ruth Kozlowski: 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: BataviaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Batavia Unit D101Age: 63Family: Husband-Richard Michael Kozlowski Son-Thomas Albin Kozlowski Son-John Frank Kozlowski Granddaughter- Madison Kozlowski Grandsons- Joe and Xander Kozlowski Brother-Dick WilsonOccupation: Retired Teacher/Administrator of 37 years at Community High School District #94, West ChicagoEducation: BS in Education(Comprehensive Family and Consumer Science Degree-1973 Illinois State University and Northern Illinois University MS in Administration and FCS - NIUAdministrative Certification Program for Preschool at CODCivic involvement: American Legion Women's Auxiliary Fellow for Association Carreer and Technology Education (ACTE) (Worked with legislature at the local, state and national level)Relay for LIfeDiabetes Walk-a-thonsFood Pantry CollectionsElected offices held: President of IACTE IFACSTARegion 1 Representative of IFACSTANEA Voting Delegate for many yearsChair of Welfare and Ethics CommitteeHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 The main reason our family moved to Batavia was not just for the good academics, but for the extended cultural programs and activities. With budget cuts I want to make sure that elective programs (music, art, career and technical education, drama, etc.) are continued with the excellence that Batavia has always displayed.Key Issue 2 Harvard has just completed a study of the future of our employment potential. A key component is ""career and technical education."" Academic programs need to collaborate with CTE to provide the skills needed for employable opportunities. It is not enough to just have a college degree. Students need a skill in tandem with the knowledge if they are going to be employable.Key Issue 3 I am very active in teaching sustainability. This is taking ""Going Green"" one step further. How can we continue to cut costs and save energy in the district and reuse materials?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?Batavia is very effective in preparing our students for the future. I recently met with the principal at Rotolo Middle school. Batavia is known for having an outstanding Middle School curriculum, program and school set up. This is usually a very awkward time for students. In talking with the students they expressed an enthusiasm and joy for their learning. The only change I would like to see is the information provided to students and parents on ways to receive an excellent education by means other than the traditional 4 years of college. There are special technical schools, apprenticeship programs, work programs, etc. that are very effective. The student of today needs to realize the need for life long education and training.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?For the past five years I have worked with committees that work with the education committee in DC. I communicate regularly with legislatures at state and national levels on the importance of funds to education. I have taken students to Washington, DC to champion the cause of needed funding. I remain actively involved in making sure Congress is aware of our needs in education. If the state and federal governments do their part in funding, the local school district will not need to raise taxes. In December the present board had to increase the taxes because the state has not paid them the money budgeted. (This is true for many schools.) By law the school has to have a balanced budget and must pay the bills, therefore they voted to raise the taxes to meet the obligation of the district until the state gets their budget in order. I am sure that our board did not take that vote lightly. I was at the meeting and they made sure the public was to be informed as to why the taxes were being increased. Many times programs don't need to be cut, but looked at to work more effectively. There may be ways to consolidate programs or offer certain courses on alternate years so as not to eliminate them. My strength is in communication. Listening is a large part of that process. When difficult decisions need to be made I plan to make sure all parties involved are part of the process and solution.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.Being a teacher for 37 years I have an excellent insight into the process of education. I have worked with grievances, arbitrations and negotiations. Understanding and respecting the process is necessary for both sides of the table in order to reach the goals. Ultimately we should all be on the same page. We should all ask what is best for our students? I have worked closely with support staff in negotiations, also. Support staff is the day to day framework of a school. I would welcome the union support. All parties need to articulate their needs and goals. When all is said and done then the school board has to make their informed decision. A district that is successful works with all components to achieve positive results.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?This is always a delicate issue when you are talking about someone's livelihood. The board has to keep in mind they must follow the law of a balanced budget. There should be no winner or loser. Both sides need to listen and make adjustments according to what is a reasonable budget. For example, teachers may have to decide if they want to keep their insurance package or get a raise. If insurance costs have gone up drastically and the members want to keep the same coverage, they may have to decide that the money needs to go the insurance package and have less of a raise or no raise. The board has to keep in mind that employees too need to see that they are valued and one way to demonstrate that is by giving a raise. All sides have to look at the bottom line. What money is available and how will it be most effectively budgeted?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?Someone who has served the district for a long time and has continually lead the school to higher standards and goals does deserve some type of extra benefit if the salary has been at a lower level than warranted. I have concern about the statement ""substantial increase"". My question would also be, ""What are we doing for the secretary that has served 40 years to take care of the children and staff?"" There are many in the school who deserve a boost in benefits for their contribution. There needs to be something in place at all levels to show appreciation. Every person in the school system should be valued.