Alva Jean Kreutzer: 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: Elk Grove VillageWebsite: http://friendsofdistrict214.comOffice sought: Northwest Suburban H.S. D214Age: 58Family: Daniel, husband (married 32 years) Kimberly, daughter (30 - working on her doctorate) Eric, son (27 - mechanical engineering graduate)Occupation: District administrative assistant, Gower School District 62Education: AA - Harper 2006Civic involvement: Elk Grove Historical SocietyElk Grove Lions ClubElected offices held: CCSD 59 - 1993-1997THSD 214 - 1999 to presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: noCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 A balanced budgetKey Issue 2 Student AchievementKey Issue 3 Student SafetyQuestions Answers Do you support, or would you try to change, District 214#146;s plan to begin phasing out traditional class rank in 2013, replacing it with the #147;quartile#148; system?District 214 has studied class rank vs. quartile system. Class rank favors students who are either first or second in their class. The quartile system would place students in the first, second, third, or fourth quartile, without regard to rank. If there is a class of 500, it would place students who are ranked 1-125 in the first quartile, thereby benefitting 125 students instead of 1 or 2. A student could have all As and still rank 10 or 15. By using the quartile system, more students whose grades are As and/or Bs, would benefit. How does this affect college admission? Colleges are moving toward quartile rank, which favors more students, and therefore more students admitted to college. It is imperative that we encourage more students to continue the educational process and quartile system allows more students the opportunity to do so.What is the most serious issue affecting teens today? How should District 214 address the situation?One of the more pervasive issues is social networking. Students, as well as adults, are bombarded daily with a 24/7 news cycle, as well as the world wide web. While these information vehicles inform, they also give people the opportunity to communicate opinions. The irresponsible and malicious use of this tool has led to some grave consequences. We have all read the sad stories of cyber bullying, sexting, and even suicide. Therefore, we need to ensure that our students understand the consequences and are taught the use of these tools in a responsible manner. Staff development addressing these issues leads to best practices in combating irresponsible behavior. Reinforcement at home by instilling good character will help teens become good citizens.What is your opinion on tax increment financing districts? If one of the villages included in District 214 wanted to extend their TIF district another 12 years, what would be your reply?Villages, as well as school districts, benefit from TIFs. However, D214, because of its size, has many TIF districts. My concern has always been with the establishment of TIFs. Taxing bodies receive one vote. If school district votes NO and other taxing bodies vote yes, the TIF passes and the district has to live with it for 23 years. A frozen EAV is a strain on school district budgets. There are 13 active D214 TIF districts. In 2009 alone, estimated tax revenue lost to D214 is $2.2 million. Do the math: $2.2 million x 23 years equates to a loss of $50.6 million. TIFs are a way for a municipality to rehabilitate a blighted area, however if the number of years were to be decreased, say from 23 to 13, it would be less of a strain on school budgets. The district has extended two TIFs: Des Plaines and Wheeling. The agreement to the extension includes a provision whereas D214 would receive approximately 90% of the current EAV. If/when D214 is approached regarding TIF extension, it has to balance positive effects of the development and the D214 cash flow.Should District 214 use drug sniffing dogs to search student locker and hallways?Students and staff arrive at school expecting to be in a safe, drug free environment. There is an expectation by parents, students, and staff that the district will ensure that everyone is in a protected setting. Besides having police resource officers, and monitors checking people entering the building, the district does have the ability to bring in a detection dog. Dogs assist staff to ensure all will be protected. Detection dogs are a non-intrusive way to keep students and staff safe.Dist. 214 did not comment on, nor did they discipline a former football coach convicted on one DUI charge and charged with another. Was that the right call? Further, when the board fires or disciplines an employee, should the public be told why?Under the ""Open Meetings Act"", there are several reasons for ""Closed Session"". One reason a public body has a closed session is to discuss personnel issues. Personnel issues vary from hiring, discipline, and/or dismissal. As an elected official I must adhere to the act and not discuss personnel issues. Following privacy laws, as well as adhering to the the school board's code of conduct, is what it means to be a person of good character and a first-rate public servant.