Anna Klimkowicz: 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: SchaumburgWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married, three adult children.Occupation: Family Case Manager of the Transitional Living Program at CEDA NW Licensed Professional CounselorEducation: Master of Human Services in Counseling, National-Louis University, 2010 Master of Public Administration, Roosevelt University Bachelor of Science - Business Education, Northern Illinois Univ. Licensed Professional Counselor since 2010Civic involvement: Chairperson, Schaumburg Peer Jury Member, Hoffman Estates Citizens Police Academy Volunteer at WING's Domestic Violence Shelter Prior civic involvement includes: PTA - Schaumburg Township Council President and other PTA offices Girl Scout leader, Boy Scouts Learning for Life Program.Elected offices held: Township High School District 211 Board Member since 1997 Serve on the governing board of the Northwest Suburban Special Education Organization 1998-2008 and 2011 to presentHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Maintain fiscal responsibility as we enter contract negotiations and await direction for legislative pension reform.Key Issue 2 Enhancing student opportunities for Social Emotional Learning Standards. Continue with support for mental health issues, addressing bullying and social preparedness.Key Issue 3 Communication - greater input from students reaching the board level.Questions Answers What do you think about the shift to the common core standards? How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?The establishment of defined learning expectations for all students will be a consistency in our mobile society. I believe this will raise the bar for all children. There should be a continuum of education throughout the states. New assessments based on the new standards will assist in evaluation of college and career readiness at the high school level. The role of the board member is to work with fellow board members to determine theends? the vision of what should be and then direct the administration to develop the means to accomplish the desired objectives. I strongly support that the board hold a strategic planning session. An opportunity for the board to discuss our plans for the future which would include: finances, curriculum, student educational readiness, special education needs, facilities, activities and athletics, etc.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 211 has been offering a Freshman and Sophomore Academy to incoming students to help prepare them for the rigors and expectations of high school academics. This opportunity gives the student the extra boost that they need to be successful. The STEM classes prepare students for college and careers. Educating all students to be productive citizens is vital to our society. Our administration must continue to articulate with our feeder districts so as to have a rigorous continuum of curriculum to challenge our students to be the best they can be. The students need to enter high school ready for high school course work.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax increases?Budget issues include: Pension fund - awaiting direction from legislature Maintaining facilities through life safety work and scheduled maintenance Contract negotiations I believe that all expenses should be reviewed on a regular basis. Explore the necessity of the expense and review options.As contract talks come up with various school employee groups, 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?I believe that I bring a unique perspective to the board for I work with individuals seeking economic assistance due to loss of job, foreclosure, homelessness or just the need to put food on their table. Given that many households are facing financial strife and difficulty supporting all taxing bodies, I believe concessions will need to be discussed. Interest Based Bargaining would be an effective start to negotiations.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 believe that an individual doing their job should be compensated fairly in both salary and health benefits while they are working. I do not believe that a substantial increase in pay to boost pension benefits does anything to educate students or prepare them with life skills. Providing technology, safe classrooms, necessary classroom supplies and materials, training and a lower ratio of students to administrators would be a valid use of finances that impacts student achievement.