Teri Herchenbach: 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: MundeleinWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Fremont Elementary D79Age: 47Family: Husband: Tom Daughter: Laura (17) Son: Matthew (13)Occupation: Administration, Wauconda Area LibraryEducation: Carmel Catholic High School 1981Creighton University, BS- Psychology 1985Civic involvement: Over the past 10 years I have volunteered with the following groups:Winchester House, LibertyvilleSt. Mary of the Annunciation (Fremont Center)Lucky Ducks 4-H clubFremont District #79 parent volunteerElected offices held: Board of Education, Fremont District #79, November 2005-present.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 ENSURING VALUE-As the taxpayers representative I will ensure fiscally sound decision making and work to offer the best value to the taxpayers of Fremont District #79.-Commitment to focus on balancing the needs of our district in light of the harsh economic climate.-Continue to ensure excellent curricular programs and services that serve each of our students in order to prepare them educationally, socially, and emotionally for their future.-Continue to ensure that District #79 is a key part of our community that stresses and supports education and a continuous learning environment for our teachers, administrators, students, and the community at large.Key Issue 2 ENSURING EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE- Commit to provide the most relevant, challenging, and engaging curriculum.- Continue to make educational decisions based on data driven analysis.- Investigate and implement new methods of delivering educational content. - Commit to deliver superior Special Education services and give particular attention to our increasing English Language Learning students.- Attract and retain a teaching staff and administration that demonstrate educational leadership and fosters the idea of life-long learning in our students.Key Issue 3 THOUGHTFUL INNOVATION- Seek out and implement new and innovative methods to deliver the highest quality curriculum.- Seek out and implement new and innovative ways to utilize our 40 acre Fremont Outdoor Learning Environment. Enhance our relationship with the Lake County Forest Preserve to maximize an environmentally conscious curriculum.- Seek out and implement methods to reduce energy costs, and expenditures that do not link directly to student education.- Seek out and implement new technologies that enhance and engage student learning. - Investigate alternative programs that spark student interest in career choices.- Support the Fremont Education Foundation in their mission to provide unique and innovative learning opportunities for our students and teachers. - Provide our teachers with the resources and training to be able to inspire our students to be 21st century learners.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?I am very satisfied with the preparation that Fremont District #79 students receive. Considering the data that I have seen, I have every reason to believe that our students transition extremely well into high school and beyond. The data reflects that Fremont is doing a very good job with the academic piece of our students education. Also, just as important as academic progress, is the social and emotional piece of our students education. It is a Board driven, and a personal goal of mine to address the social and emotional aspects of our students education. Changes are, and should be continually made based on the trends in technology, instruction, and results from our students test scores.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?Currently, Fremont is is great financial shape thanks to good planning and wise financial management. Having said that, it is never enough to rest on our past performance in light of the education funding crisis in the state of Illinois. It is my position that budgeting and spending within our means is the key to responsible financial management. Currently, Fremont should not have to make cuts in programs and services. We are looking to enhance our programs and services. I can not and would not have a position on what other school districts financial positions are in terms of a tax rate increase.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.I do not think that experience as a teacher or support from a union makes a difference when it comes to being a productive Board member. I am not a school teacher or feel I have any special support within our teachers union. I am one of seven Board members and as such I have always acted as a person independent in my thoughts, decisions, and ideas. In my experience, the relationship between Fremont's Board of Education and our teachers union is mutually supportive. With every confidence, it is my expectation to continue this type of relationship.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?The Fremont District #79 Board of Education and the Fremont Education Association finalized a contract last year. I wanted the approach that the Board took to be a common sense and collaborative approach. The Board and the Teachers Union worked very well together to produce a contract that was good for our District constituents and for our Teachers. I think that it is premature to speculate on any specific concessions or increases in our next contract. Looking ahead 2 years to the next contract, I can only expect negotiations to be collaborative and mutually respectful.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 would not support a substantial increase in pay for an Administrator nearing retirement. I would not burden the retirement system any more than it is, and I feel this practice is not an ethical method to compensate Administrators.