Michael Jaensch: 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: NapervilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Naperville Unit District 203 School Board Age: 55Family: Wife: Rebekah Daughter: Elizabeth, 23 Son: Alan, 22Occupation: PilotEducation: US Air Force Academy, B.S. Aeronautical Engineering, 1981 Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Masters Aviations Science, 1990Civic involvement: President Madison JHS Home School Association Member District 203 Finance Facilities Committee Member District 203 Elementary Foreign Language Committee Member District 203 School-Family-Community Partnership Member Naperville Partnership for Education Chairman of Madison JHS School-Family-Community Partnership Member and Treasurer of Neighborhood Swim Team Board Park District Swim Conference Representative Competition Judge Youth soccer coach and refereeElected offices held: Naperville District 203 Board of Education (2007-Present), President 2009-2011Questions 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?I am very satisfied that we are doing an excellent job, but have also always said that complacency is one of our biggest enemies, and we must always strive to get better. We must constantly adapt to provide the best possible all-around education for all our students, whether college-bound or not.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.Our biggest challenges are the uncertainty of state funding combined with the possibility of increased financial burdens imposed by the state. Because of conservative and prudent financial planning over the last eight years that I have been in office, we have always had balanced budgets while even managing to abate millions of dollars in taxes to our taxpayers. We are in a very strong position to weather any financial challenges the state may impose on us for the near term and hopefully we will continue to be conservative in our planning as the state works through its fiscal challenges. We are limited to tax increases of no more than inflation, which will be 1.5% for the upcoming tax year, and .8% for the following year. These are both very low and reasonable numbers and we will live within those constraints while still delivering a first-class education.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?No.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?Each contract is unique, but our goal is always to provide fair and competitive wages and benefits to all our employees and we intend to do that into the future. As long as we maintain our discipline on the rest of our costs, I see no reason why we wouldn't be able to continue that and thereby keep some of the finest professionals in the area.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?We don't and I wouldn't.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?In my opinion, there is no more important task in a modern society than the education of our youth. I am absolutely committed to making sure we provide the best possible education to our children, which I believe is the foundation for a safe and strong economy and society.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Malala YousafzaiWhat's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Work hard, be honest, be the best person you can be in any situation.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Nothing. Even the mistakes I have made have made me the person I am, so I honestly wouldn't change anything.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Every subject that wasn't Calculus. From Physics to Psychology, from Management to Philosophy, German, French, and Spanish, they all made me a more complete person.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Work hard, be honest, be the best person you can be in any situation.