Mitchell Penar: Candidate Profile

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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: ElginWebsite: https://www.facebook.com/MitchPenar301Office sought: Central Unit District 301 School Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Candidate did not respond.Occupation: Sales EngineerEducation: MBA BS in MarketingCivic involvement: 301 Foundation President 2012 301 Foundation board member since 2009Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.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?As a parent I am pleased with the quality of educators that we have been positive influences on my four daughters. However I am also pushing my daughters to do better. With that being said, I am going to insist that the district provide its students with more opportunities to become contributing members of society. I am in favor of adding to the curriculum, classes that may not have been the norm in the past. The district needs to prepare its students for a college path and or a trade school path. The students need to understand that they need to strive to learn something new every day. Our student's education does not stop when they receive their high school diploma.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.As with any state funded organization the district is subject to the ever changing state financial issues. This fact places ever increasing burden on the local tax payers. Our districts tax base, the major contributor to funding is the only funds we can depend on. I am favor of improving the education experience that our students receive. The district's population is expanding faster than any other districts in the county. This growth must be planned for now, in order to prevent overcrowding in our schools. As with anything in life you get what you pay for. With all that being said, I support a judicious spending of our tax dollars.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?I have not in the past or currently have a family member that is employed by district 301. I have never been an employee of school district 301.As 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?Posture is an incorrect term. I believe that the teachers and the board should work together to make both parties successful. The economy over the last few years has been difficult for us all. Both groups need to work together. I believe that we all need to share the load. The school district is only as good as the product is produces, which is their student. I believe a balance needs to be reached between the two.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 in retaining top talent and motivating them be the best they can be. I also believe that if they feel appreciated they will put forth their best efforts while they are leading their teams. I do not believe in increasing salaries for the final years just to boost retirement benefits.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Phil Jackson the Chicago Bulls coach that lead a team of talented players to heights that were not attainable as individuals.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Experience and patience are keys to success.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have applied myself more as a student in High School and pushed myself to take more advanced classes.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite subject in high school was CAD drafting. I am not an engineer I do work in a field depends on CAD and engineering.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be the best "you" you can be!