Shannon Smigielski: 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: HainesvilleWebsite: http://shannonforschoolboard.comOffice sought: Grayslake Elementary D46Age: 41Family: Married to hardest working man I've ever known. Mother to two amazing daughters.Occupation: School Bus DriverEducation: Candidate did not respond.Civic involvement: Member of District 46 Finance CommitteeMember of District 46 Anti-Bully Task ForceMember of District 46 Full-Day Kindergarten CommitteeElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Ethical and Attentive Public Servants. Building a Board of Education that welcomes input and accounts for the entire community. For too long, we have had Board members who listen to only those that agree with them and some have also shown little regard for those who have concerns or suggestions.I aim to change that. I may not agree with everything, but I will welcome everyone's input and look at every side before making a final decision. If you offer your opinion, your suggestion, or your concern, my goal is that you will have confidence that you have been welcomed, heard, and accounted for.Key Issue 2 Fiscal Responsibility. Building and maintaining a budget based on what is necessary for a quality education for students and funding that is already provided. I would like to see budgets based on actual funds rather than anticipated funds. In this regard, my hope is that we can stop going to the taxpayers to fill a shortfall in revenue because anticipated funding isn't realized.Key Issue 3 Transparency. Building a completely transparent process so that when a member of the public has a question or concern, the information is readily available. Districts are funded by taxpayers and they have the right to see how every penny is spent, how every decision is made, and know that those who handle their money and their children's future, are doing it with honest and open intentions.Questions Answers How should the district approach the next teachers union contract talks? Would you be willing to pursue salary cuts or freezes? Explain your answer.The district should approach the next teachers union contract talks with a clear objective: competitively compensating the teachers for their work while maintaining a budget that can support staff salaries and benefits.I would be willing to pursue a freeze in salaries if it eliminates the possibility of a reduction in staff or increase in class sizes.Transparency has been an issue at District 46. How do you believe the district is doing with conducting the public#146;s business? Any suggestions for improvements?I believe that District 46 has made many improvements in the area of transparency, but there is still work to be done. It has become apparent that the Board has taken action in creating some policy for transparency but has not come behind the process to ensure transparency is being implemented. One example includes that policy to place check registers on-line every month: the Board failed to make sure this was happening and as a result, this simple transparency measure was not met for several months. I hope to build a Board that leads with ethical intentions; the Board members keep their word even behind closed doors.How do you view the relationship with South Carolina-based consultant Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence Inc., which has given awards the district has promoted and hosted conventions that staffers have attended in warm-weather locations in December?While I am an advocate for professional development, I can not support the extravagance that has accompanied the Blue Ribbon program. When we face budget shortfalls, trips to South Carolina and Disney World for professional development, can not be justified.What steps, if any, should the district take in response to an audit late last year that found the need for tighter controls on student activity funds?Systems need to be implemented by the Board to guarantee the correct allocation of funding of taxpayer dollars. The business office needs to be able to account for every dollar and how it is spent. If this means hiring an assistant to the Chief School Business Official, then they should do that. If they need to have an auditor come in quarterly, then they should do that. Every dollar counts in a budget that continues to have a shortfall and it is the responsibility of the Board to maintain good stewardship of tax dollars.Do you think the names of individuals who are the subject of personnel action in an open meeting should appear on the agenda for the meeting? Why or why not? Currently the district omits the names of such individuals.I do think that the names of individuals who are the subject of potential employment in the district should be on the agenda. This allows for complete transparency in the hiring process and eliminates any potential claims of nepotism or other potential conflicts of interest.