Bill Stanton: Candidate Profile

Back to McHenry High School District 156 School Board 4-year term

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:BioQA Bio City: McHenryWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry High School District 156 School Board 4-year term Age: 32Family: Laura- Wife Annabelle and Ellabelle- DaughtersOccupation: EducatorEducation: BA- Secondary Education BA- English MA- Educational Leadership MA- ReadingCivic involvement: Parishioner- Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Educator- Grant Community High SchoolElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately 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?My personal feeling about education is that it should always be evolving to address the needs of the students. I feel like we could do more to support student achievement with an increased emphasis on advancing technology, updating curriculum, and supporting teacher professional development. District 156 has a proud history of preparing students for the next stage in life, but I feel that further vertical alignment and articulation would be a positive step in staying on top of the ever changing educational landscape.What budgetary issues will your district have to confront during the next four years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, be specific about programs and expenses that should be considered for reduction or elimination. On the income side, do you support any tax increases for local schools? Again, be specific.Without access to specific budget lines, this question is difficult to answer. Generally speaking, needs of all stakeholders should be considered before making any decisions on spending.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?I am currently employed by District 124, Grant Community High School in Fox Lake, as an English teacher, Literacy Specialist, and Reading teacher.As contract talks come up with various school employee groups -- teachers, support staff, etc. -- what posture should the school board take? 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?Contract talks need to be approached in good faith from all sides of the table. Realistically, each party will have an agenda and passionate beliefs. It is important to consider each point with humility, intelligence, class, and foresight.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?Administrator pay scales are determined by the board as a whole. I would thoroughly review any policies that are in place and make a decision based on agreed contract negotiations and collective stakeholder expectations.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Making decisions based on data and research is an issue that is in the forefront of my decision-making. Preparing the district for the future needs of the students by supporting teacher professional development is key in staying up to date with best practices to raise student achievement.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Mr.Jeremy Schmidt, Principal- Grant Community High SchoolWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Don't take yourself too seriously.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Chew my food more carefully on and around June 15, 2014.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English. Reading and composition paved the path to my future. I had excellent English teachers at Crystal Lake Central, they were great role models.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Never let your fear decide your fate.