Tony Pietro: 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: Deer ParkWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake Zurich Unit D95Age: 52Family: Married, four children.Occupation: Sales and Project Management.Education: Bachelors of Arts in English, Northeastern (1981).Civic involvement: Member of the Community Unit School District 95 Board of EducationTrustee of School District 95 Educational FoundationMember of the Ela Coalition Against Youth Substance Abuse Member of the District 95 Technology CommitteeElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Continuing to strive for academic excellence without sacrificing our extra-curricular and cultural offerings. Making certain we have top notch teachers and all the tools needed to provide the best education for our children.Key Issue 2 Maintain and update our facilities. We need to provide a safe and productive environment (both the physical environment and our tools for technology) for all of our students and staff.Key Issue 3 We need to continue to exercise financial stability in these very volatile and changing economic times. We have some great challenges ahead (especially in the upcoming 2013-2014 school year).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 do think that we are doing a better job preparing our students for the next level, but we still have work to do. I would like to see us shorten our curriculum review cycle, as we are work towards common assessments (between our schools). Our average ACT score continues to climb and is now 24. I would like to see us increase our AP offerings and also the number of students that score a #147;4#148; or #147;5#148; on the tests. I am satisfied that the average LZ student is well rounded and is being challenged academically.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?Our most pressing financial need is to update our aging facilities. We need major repairs and improvements in most of our facilities and parking lots. I do not support a tax increase or referendum at this time. We must continue to exercise fiscal restraint and make minor repairs until our current debt is relieved.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 believe that experience as a teacher helps give insights into the intricacies of education, but does not necessarily create a pro-teacher bias. The educators that serve on our BOE are objective, and do a fair job of analyzing situations. I have never worked as a teacher, but have an excellent relationship with the president of our teacher#146;s union and would welcome 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?We are living in very uncertain economic times. Property values have decreased while healthcare costs have continued to rise. I would like to see salaries and compensation tied to CPI. We need to continue to look at all options, including an increase in the employees share of the healthcare cost. 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, I would not. The current plan is sufficient.