P.J. Olzen: Candidate Profile

Back to Lake Park High School District 108 School Board

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:BioQA Bio City: RoselleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lake Park High School District 108 School Board Age: 57Family: Married to Julie Olzen for 32 years. We have four sons, all who are graduates of Lake Park High School. Jacob is 30 years old; Joshua, 29; John and Joe twins who are 26.Occupation: State and Local Tax Partner at Grant Thornton LLP, a public accounting firmEducation: Bachelor of Science in Accounting from DePaul UniversityCivic involvement: Currently serve on the the Board of Directors for the Mental Health Association of Greater Chicago. Previously coached youth Basketball (St. Walter School) and Baseball (Roselle/Medinah Baseball Association)for over 10 years. Leadership positions with the Boy Scouts of America for over 10 years. (Treasurer for the troop and committe chair for the Cub Scout Pack)Elected offices held: Lake Park High School District 108 Board Member currently in 10th year.Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately 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?We are focusing on all levels of students in order to prepare them for their future. Whether it is the wide selection of Advance Placement courses, or those that choose to enter into the workplace. We have recently embarked on focusing on the Manufacturing Machinery and Precisions courses that will prepare students to enter the Hi-Tech Manufacturing work-place. This includes working with local business to achieve our overall goals. It is always a challenge to remain competitive in an ever changing environment, however our current administration is very collaborative with the staff to implement programs that are necessary for our students to achieve success. I am very pleased with the current state of affairs at Lake Park.What budgetary issues will your district have to confront during the next four years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, be specific about programs and expenses that should be considered for reduction or elimination. On the income side, do you support any tax increases for local schools? Again, be specific.Lake Park is not alone with being faced with the issue of unfunded pensions for the teachers. The state of Il must find a solution to this major issue. My concern is that the funding will be shifted to the local districts. In order to accomplish this, it will be necessary to find a funding mechanism. This could entail an increase in local tax levies. As I previously indicated, the current Board has mandated that Lake Park always pass an annual balanced budget. This has been the case since I have been on the board. With my financial background and as a previous business owner, I believe I have instilled the fiscal responsibility behavior that might have been lacking in the past. We have worked collaboratively with the teacher's union to shave unnecessary costs from the budget. In addition, through normal attrition, we have re-evaluated positions and in certain instances, we have reassigned tasks and responsibilities to existing employees. I am proud of the fact that the message of fiscal responsibility has been embraced by Lake Park and we continue to provide a wide variety of classes, sports and activities to all students. During my time on the board, we have not had to rift anyone, nor eliminate any programs, while at the same time balancing our budget. Not may districts can make that claim.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?None applyAs contract talks come up with various school employee groups -- teachers, support staff, etc. -- what posture should the school board take? 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 have been one of the board representatives during the last 3 contract negotiations. We have been able continue to achieve a balanced budget, which was one of my personal mandates when I first came on the board 10 years ago. Previously, Lake Park did not have a balance budget. Working callobrately with the Union, we have been able to balance the budget annually without any reduction in educational programs. We were able to eliminate the 6 percent bumps in pay for retiring members of the Union. I believe this is unprecedented when compared to other local districts.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 do not support increasing compensation during the end of employment to artificially increase retirement benefits at the unnecessary cost to he taxpayers. We have unfunded pension liability of over 100 billion currently in the state of Illinois that must be addressed and corrected. A pension program must be sustainable and the benefits must make sense in relationship to the contributions over the working period of the employee. The current system is not sustainableWhat other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?As you can tell, my background is from the business side of the equation. I believe it is necessary to have a well rounded board in order for individual board members to contribute on topics that they are best suited to opine on. Lake Park is in the business of delivering education and it must be accomplished with a fiscally responsible approach. Therefore, once must evaluate the mix of candidates and choose those that will supply the variety of talents to succeed. I also believe, that individuals should not be allowed to sit on more than one Board of Education. If there is an issue that will present a conflict between the Boards when an individual is currently serving on both, how does this get resolved. Also, how can one devote their full attention to both districts.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?There is no substitute for hard work. Work hard and you will reap the fruits of your efforts.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I am a forward thinker. I do not dwell on the past. If you really want something, make it happen now. Create your own opportunity.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Accounting. I was an owner in a consulting business and now I am a partner in a public accounting firm.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Your values dictate your behaviors which produces the ultimate outcomes in life. Be accountable and take ownership in every thing you pursue.