Joseph G. Leane: Candidate Profile

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:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: Mount ProspectWebsite: https://sites.google.com/site/josephleanedistrict57/Office sought: Mount Prospect Elementary D57Age: 47Family: I am married with three children. My oldest child is a District 57 alumni, and is attending Prospect High School. My two younger children attend District 57.Occupation: I am an owner of a Professional Engineering company and am a practicing Professional Engineer.Education: I have both Bachelors of Science and Masters of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Illinois. I am also a Licensed Professional Engineer in the State of Illinois.Civic involvement: I served on the District 57 Education Foundation, and have been a Robotics Club coach at Lincoln Middle School.Elected offices held: I am completing my eighth year on the District 57 school board, as I finish my second 4-year term. During that time, I was Vice President for three years, and President for three years.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Position the School District to Continue to Excel.District 57 provides exceptional value to our entire community. Our students excel in many ways including academics, sports, the arts, and other activities. The best benchmark the District has to compare our students#146; achievement level with our neighbors is the ISAT scores, which are published annually on the district report cards. District 57 has consistently placed in the top five percent of school districts in Illinois, and is currently in the top two percent, an elite group. We have the highest ISAT score in the area. District 57 accomplishes this goal while spending far less than virtually any of the other elite districts in this group. In order to assure the long term success of the District, the Board has adopted a multiyear strategic plan that addresses every aspect of operation of the District. I support the District#146;s actions to implement and annually update our strategic plan. Key Issue 2 Operate the District in a Fiscally Responsible Way that does not placing an unnecessary tax burdeon on the community. District 57 is a valuable asset, owned by the community, and exists for the benefit of the community. A key responsibility of the Board is to ensure the long term success of the District. Long term financial strength is a must to assure our success. During my time on the Board, controlling costs has been a top priority. The District has undergone cost cutting measures that have helped reduce expenses while minimally impacting the classrooms. Currently, the District spends far less per student, to educate our children, than any of our neighboring districts, and even the State average. However, the District has still spent more money than it has received, causing us to draw upon our savings. I support the District#146;s commitment to developing a long-term balanced budget plan, to assure our continued financial strength. Key Issue 3 Improve Two-Way Communication that Promotes Trust, Honesty and Respect.The Board sits in trust of District 57 for the community. Engaged two-way communication between the community and District is a must, so that the Board understands the priorities of the community, and assures that the District reflects those priorities. I support the District#146;s efforts to improve our communication. In order to enhance this communication, the District recently audited our communication efforts, and developed areas to improve. Those improvements have begun to be implemented. The District has also undertaken a community wide survey, to identify the community#146;s priorities. The results of this survey will help guide future Board decisions.Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your district is 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?District 57 is doing an excellent job preparing our students to succeed. Our District ISAT scores are in the top two percent of school districts in Illinois, and are higher than any of our neighboring districts. Furthermore, our students excel at Prospect H.S., and are the highest achieving group from any district feeding into District 214. The District annually reviews its goals to assure that we adapt to changes in the future expectations of our students.What budget issues will the district have to confront? What measures do you support to address them? If cuts are needed, be specific about programs and expenses that should be reduced or eliminated. Do you support any tax increases for local schools?District 57 provides a great value to our taxpayers. Our cost per student is the lowest in the area, about $2,300 less than the average of our neighbors, and is less than the State average. However, like most other school districts in Illinois, the District has been impacted by the recession and the bad financial condition of the State. As a result, we have spent more than we have received in revenue the last few years. The Board is committed to returning the District to operate within a balanced budget. Accordingly, the District has implemented cost cutting measures over the years. Recently, the District has asked the community, through a survey, to prioritize the services and programs. The results of this survey will help guide the Board during future financial decisions.Is experience as a teacher or support from a union valuable because it suggests educational insights or detrimental because it creates pro-teacher bias? Please clarify whether you have such experience or would accept union support.The District is best served when different viewpoints are appreciated and understood. A diverse board is an asset, including different professional backgrounds of the members. Our teachers are a vital part of the District#146;s success. However, the Board relies on the expertise of the Administration to make recommendations on curriculum, instruction and programs. I do not have experience as a teacher, and have not asked for the support of our teachers#146; union.As contract talks come up with various employee groups, what posture should the board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?Compensation for District employees must reflect the financial reality of the District. The long term financial health of the District cannot be traded for unsustainable short term increases to employee compensation. Conversely, the best interests of the employees are served when their jobs are secure and their compensation level supports the long-term financial stability of the District. Finally, the community should understand that the District does not control the employee pension system. That system is operated by the State and the rules are created by the State government. The District is required by law to follow those rules.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. District 57 administrators are paid at, or near, the bottom when compared to our neighboring districts. District 57 administrator contracts do not include any retirement clause to increase their pay to help boost benefits. I support this approach. Intentionally elevating retirement benefits creates an additional financial burden that must be paid by taxpayers throughout the State, including the District 57 community.