Mary Kay Prusnick: Candidate Profile

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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: Hanover ParkWebsite: www.voteformarykay.comOffice sought: Schaumburg District 54 School Board Age: 43Family: Married: Husband, Tim; Four children: Son, Timothy, 24; Daughters, Maeve, 17, Matilda, 13 and Molly, 10.Occupation: Stay at Home MomEducation: Bachelor of Arts in History, Hiram College (Ohio), 1993Civic involvement: District 54 Goals Committee District 54 Fees Committee District 54 Policy Committee Kids at Hope Schaumburg Township Council of PTAs Campanelli Elementary School PTA Albert Einstein School PTA Jane Addams Jr. High PTA Albert Einstein School Leadership Team, Jane Addams Jr. High School Leadership Team Hoffman Estates Loyal Parents Chicago-area Coordinator, Hiram College Alumni Volunteer Day National Red Setter Field Trial ClubElected offices held: Member, Board of Education, Schaumburg School District 54, 2011-2015Questions 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?Excellence in education is a hallmark for School District 54. That begins with our youngest learners at the new Early Learning Center, where special needs students and those kids most at risk are getting the very best start. ALL kindergarteners can now take advantage of a free, full day program at District 54 elementary schools to get a solid academic foundation for elementary success. Strong core instruction for all students, coupled with innovative and diverse programs such as Dual Language, Chinese Immersion, and Science and Technology explorations (STEM) are providing choice for individual learner styles and interests. District 54 students are growing and achieving at amazing levels. District 54 has thoughtfully and carefully implemented the New Illinois Learning Standards by integrating these rigorous benchmarks into our already proven instructional practices. Thinking critically and creatively, working together and being able to effectively communicate will be so important as our students move onto high school and college and, ultimately, out into an ever changing global economy. Students are being very well prepared, but we can always do better to give them the best start to be the learners and leaders of tomorrow.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.Everyone is aware that funding across Illinois' education system must be one of the most pressing priorities for our state legislature. Despite uncertainties, School District 54 has demonstrated good financial stewardship, continually presenting a balanced operating budget, carrying no debt and maintaining a Aaa credit rating. District 54's administration has a fine tradition of keenly managing expenditures like insurance, transportation and supplies that I will expect to persist. I don't envision any major cuts in the near future and I would not support measures that reduce services to students. Because the District has done a good job managing within their current means, I expect to see levy amounts at or below that of CPI, but would not support a significant 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 not employed by or retired from any school district. None of my family work for Schaumburg School District 54 either. In order to make decisions that are in the best interest of students, I do believe the District must gather information from many viewpoints. Clearly, one of the most valuable assets this District has is a legion of highly qualified, caring educators and paraprofessionals. As the proud daughter and sister of National Board Certified teachers, I understand the value in the experience of those experts that spend the most time each day with our students.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?The Board of Education in School District 54 and its organized labor groups strive to maintain a productive and collaborative relationship. In that way, I expect the school board to be fair-minded and cooperative when it comes to collective bargaining. I want all voices to be heard and am willing to listen and make decisions based on what is best for students. During my first term on the school board, the Board of Education and staff negotiated a landmark contract that based a portion of District employees' salaries on meeting student growth targets. This is an innovative way to acknowledge the remarkable work of the teachers, support staff and paraprofessionals, as well as a way to remain accountable to tax payers in Schaumburg Township. In this next round of contract negotiations, I will continue to be responsive to the concerns of the taxpayers, while working together with all District staff to honor the proven work they are doing on behalf of our students.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 certainly would not support such a raise. The Teacher Retirement System, as well as state pension funds for other public employees, is already in crisis and must be fairly addressed. Overburdening the fund by artificially inflating or padding an administrator's salary would be both irresponsible and unethical.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Looking ahead, School District 54 is in a strong position with regard to great students, hardworking staff and administrators, and solid fiscal footing. There are some issues that might present challenges in the near future, however. They are: â#8364;cent;Last year's Senate Bill 16. While this languished in committee last session, it could come back in a rehashed format. It has the potential to take revenue away from District 54 (as well as neighboring districts) and reallocate that money to other school districts. I will continue to advocate for school funding that is fair for all districts. â#8364;cent;The State Pension crisis is something the School Board will need to keep monitoring. Legislators have discussed shifting pension burdens back on to school districts, creating even greater financial burden. â#8364;cent;Students across Illinois are taking the Partners for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) this spring for the first time. This replaces the basic skills test, ISAT. While District 54 has worked hard to realign the curriculum to the new, more demanding standards, and feels confident that the students will perform at high levels, there are still many unknowns about this new assessment.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.The Staff and Students in District 54 come to school everyday and do their best. My inspiration to do the same comes from them.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My grandmother, a junior high math teacher, always said, "No education is ever wasted." She encouraged me to learn something new everyday.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Every challenge and triumph has made me who I am today. I would never choose to trade those experiences.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Studying History in college taught me to be a lifelong reader and critical thinker, pursuing all angles of an issue to find the best answers.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Find the thing in life that brings you joy and give it all you've got.