Susan Ralph: 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: BensenvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Fenton High School District 100 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: 52Family: Single, two childrenOccupation: Small Business owner. I am Vice President of a manufacturng company in Wood DaleEducation: Associates in Arts Degree, Wright College, 1982Civic involvement: FHS Bison Boosters, President Vice President; Treasurer of FHS Music Boosters; Treasurer of Benitwoods Girl Scout CouncilElected 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 Safety of the students and staff of FHSKey Issue 2 Educational experience for FHS studentsKey Issue 3 Finances of FHSQuestions Answers What do you think about the shift to the common core standards? How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?I would support common core standards. The board of education should have a supportive roll in setting the curriculum for students. The current curriculum has been set but if it has not been reveiwed in the past four years, I would like to have a policy for more frequent review since we live in an ever changing world and needs of the students.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?We are always do the best to be prepared, and I think the district does a satisfying job but until the student has life experience that we can go back to the high school and would change some cirriculum. I would ask former students to see what changes should occur. At this time I have one in college that did not take ap class and one is a senior that has 3 ap classes, and the first is struggling at college, and I think my senior is ready for college. So my suggestions is to prepare students for college level entry and experience college level class while in high school.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax increases?I am not sure at this time what budget issues have to confront, but I am sure it is the same, more expenses than cash, or cash flow concerns. I believe no progrom should be cut, and try to reduce other expenses to keep programs alive. As for the tax increases, on a personal side, I do not support any tax increase. We have seen 2 tax increases during the past elections, however it may supported District 2, and I feel that Dupage Couny receives alot of money, and I would say we should review the expenses first.As contract talks come up with various school employee groups, do you believe the district should ask for concessions from its employees, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?I do not know enought of the various school employee groups to answer this question. I am not opposed to pay increases or benefits or raise concessions from its employees. I would need more information to answer this question.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?I would not support a increase to boost benefits, I would support an increase for merit achievements and attaining goals for the school and addititional higher educational enhancements of the superintendent and other administrators.