Cathy Dremel: Candidate Profile

Back to Batavia Unit District 101 School Board

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: BataviaWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Batavia Unit District 101 School Board Age: 47Family: Husband Ray Daughter Emily Son Billy Daughter SarahOccupation: Stay at Home MomEducation: Bachelor of Science in Commerce from DePaul University Masters of Business Administration from Northern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Batavia Foundation for Educational Excellence Board Member Batavia Public Schools Theatre Boosters Treasurer BHS Post Prom Committee Co-Chair 2014, 2015 Volunteer with CHIP-In and Tri-Cities ServicesElected offices held: BPS 101 School Board 2011-presentQuestions 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?I think our district is doing a good job in this area because we ask ourselves this question regularly. First, the transition to each next level of schooling is handled well. For example, each year of elementary school provides students with greater academic rigor culminating in the transition to middle school. Then, our middle school model gives students more independence both academically and socially without removing the appropriate supports needed by students at this age. By the time students reach high school, they have had opportunities to prepare for the independence and academic expectations of this stage. But, because we recognize that students progress at different rates, many supports (i.e., late start, Bulldog hour, school counselors) are available for students. Furthermore,counseling staff at all of our schools help ensure that all students learn the social and emotional skills needed for success in life. Finally, this topic was part of a recent Citizen's Advisory Council discussion. The Council included business owners, academic professionals, former students and parents. The discussion specifically focused on post graduation, and student preparedness for life after high school was discussed in depth. The district is collecting the themes from the discussion and examining where we can improve the experiences of our students. By regularly asking this question, and critically examining every aspect of our students' education, I am confident that we will continue to meet the often changing demands of each new stage of life.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.Our district is on a good financial path. Financial decisions in the district are being made with long term financial health as our goal. In just over 10 years, our bonds will be paid off, which is not the case in most districts. Because of the addition of Aurora TIF money, we have started to reduce class size, although class sizes are still larger than they were pre-recession. During the recession class sizes were allowed to increase due to the need to save money. We are also working to do maintenance and repair that was deferred during the recession, and to build our fund balance so we don't have to incur the costs of short-term borrowing to pay our spring bills. I think our budgetary priority is to continue to be cautious, manage our spending and maintain our capital assets. This strategy helps our position if SB16 or pension refund has a negative financial impact on our district.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?NoAs 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?We have worked hard in our last negotiations with both of our Associations to have a contract that provides a fair wage and competitive benefits, but that also recognizes the current financial climate. Both of the most recent employment contracts have tied wage increases to cost of living increases. Because personnel costs are approximately 80% of the District's budget, it is important that we ensure expenses do not grow faster than income. Tying the largest portion of our budget directly to our levy increase is an important step to prudently managing our finances.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 don't believe substantial pay raises at the end of a public career to boost retirement benefits is appropriate. This shifts an unfair burden to all taxpayers and is a poor use of public funds.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Being an active member of our community is extremely important because the insights gleaned from these activities help elected officials perform their duties with more knowledge, compassion and effectiveness. I am active in a number of areas that directly relate to education. But I also volunteer with the homeless and low income families in our community. I regularly support and attend events sponsored by organizations in Batavia including the Chamber's Citizen of the Year event and Batavia MainStreet's house walk. I have been a Girl Scout leader and a parent coach for Girls on the Run. My family dines, shops and has our car repaired locally. These activities are especially crucial for someone who is running for an office that is the biggest local taxing authority. Not only does my community involvement allow me to ardently support Batavia, it also makes me a better board member. I meet a wide variety of residents that provide a close up look at the issues in our town, which helps broaden my base of knowledge and experience when I am making decisions as a school board member. For these reasons, community involvement is a very important issue.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Malala Yousafzai's brave fight for the right for girls to be educated reminds me how crucial education is for a free society.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Accept the consequences of your actions.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?As tempting as a do-over might be, I would not spend it. If I did, what experiences in my life would I have missed?What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English because it is the basis of solid communication, and math because it helped me think analytically. (Sorry I cheated - that's two)If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?God gives us gifts. What we do with those gifts is what defines our character.