Michael Munda: Candidate Profile

Back to Warren Township High School District 121 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: GurneeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Warren Township High School District 121 School Board 4-year term Age: 50Family: Wife- Cindy Daughter-Morgan, Warren grad '10 Son- Mitch, Warren grad '12Occupation: Principal - Lake County Regional Safe School ProgramEducation: BA-Education -Lakeland College MA- Educational Administration Roosevelt UniversityCivic involvement: Parishioner @ St. Paul the Apostle, Gurnee Member of Knights of Columbus Member of Illinois Association of PrincipalsElected offices held: Chair-Discipline /Handbook CommitteeQuestions 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 am extremely proud of the academic preparedness of all of our students. No matter which path they intend to follow after graduation , I am confident they have secured a solid foundation to build upon. We will continue to strive to stay on top of all the new technologies and teaching strategies that will help our students and outstanding faculty continue to prepare our students for their futures.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.Revenues and expenditures are a constant balancing act. I am concerned with the changes in Sprigfield and the uncertainty of how the new administration will approach the budget deficit and public education funding. As a board, we will continue to evaluate and priorities all aspects of district funding. Every line item will be reviewed and all possible cost savings will be discussed. Currently, there is no discussion of a tax increase.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 employed by SEDOL. ( The Special Education District of Lake County ). No direct family member is currently employed where I am seeking a School Board seat.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?We maintain a very positive,professional working relationship with all of our employees in the district. I believe both sides work together to accomplish one common goal and share the mentality of providing a quality education at an affordable 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?I believe this question may be outdated as the law has changed and administrators can not negotiate substantial increases to help boost pension benefits.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am concerned about unfunded mandates which we are required to inact on shrinking revenues. I am also concerned on the issue of teacher evaluation and the stipulations from student assessment.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Candidate did not respond.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Candidate did not respond.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Candidate did not respond.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Candidate did not respond.