Lowell Yarusso: Candidate Profile

Back to St. Charles Unit District 303 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: St. CharlesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: St. Charles Unit District 303 School Board Age: 68Family: Wife, Gini Yarusso Sons: Peter, Jon and MatthewOccupation: RetiredEducation: BA - History Master of Arts in Teaching - History MBA EdD - Educational AdministrationCivic involvement: Past membership on Norris Center Advisory Council Volunteer, Wredling Middle SchoolElected offices held: NoneQuestions 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 believe the District does an excellent job for those who are planning to attend post-secondary schools. I think we can improve our ability to prepare those who prefer not to take the higher education option.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.The proposed transfer of state aid from districts that perform well to less successful districts is a major issue for the next few years. I believe that districts must begin to work together to address this threat rather than each district going its own way. I do not favor nor do I oppose tax increases out of hand. Each situation must be judged on its own merits. The important point is to have the courage to take the right stand when the issue is raised.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?The Board would only become an active participant if there are significant issues that cannot be resolved by those two groups. In that case, the Board would be available to either or both parties to provide whatever assistance may be necessary to overcome barriers to agreement. This may include, and is certainly not limited to, clarifying goals, suggesting creative alternatives, establishing limits and boundaries, etc. The key is that, in the collective bargaining process, the Board's primary goal should be to help find a solution that serves the best interests of the District's students. In summary, the Board should serve two roles in the collective bargaining process. First, the Board should be an objective, unemotional third party seeking to find common ground between the District and its employees. Second, the Board should be the voice of the people most directly served by the District and its employees, i.e., the students and their families, as it seeks to bring the parties together. The decisions around employee compensation will always be complex and difficult. I would answer the second question above by saying, "Yes". Some concessions are likely to be required, many costs will appropriately stay about the same, and some increases in pay or benefits will need to be provided. The important point is to recognize that flexibility and creativity are far more useful than a rigid commitment to any one answer.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 am opposed to this practice for several reasons. First, it is not in the short or long term economic interests of the District. Second, compensation should be a reflection of the value to the District of that individual's contribution in the role for which they were hired. Third, the practice is typically viewed with distaste and cynicism by the public at large and may lead to significantly greater opposition when legitimate pay increases are sought for other employees. Finally, pay increases such as these cannot be implemented in a vacuum and they will, over time, have unintended negative consequences that will far outweigh the supposed benefits of such practices.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Educational quality and school security are two issues that I consider very important. Both are complex and I believe that my District does better than most on both. That having been said, I also believe that there is a great deal of room for improvement in both areas.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis. He is breaking new ground without breaking with tradition.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents taught me that I am the author of my limitations.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I'd spend more time with my family.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. It helps me understand how events are reflective of and influenced by the past.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Find joy in your life and embrace it.