Robert Fetzner: 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: Crystal LakeWebsite: Robert Fetzner.comOffice sought: Crystal Lake District 47 School Board Age: 39Family: I am married to Jessica a teacher in District 155 and have two children Drew 7 and Caroline 5. Both are students in District 47.Occupation: I am an attorney at The Law Offices of Robert W. FetznerEducation: B.S. Secondary Education/History Ball State University 1998 J.D. Thomas M. Cooley Law School 2001Civic involvement: District 47 School Board Member Volunteer Assistant Coach Crystal Lake Central High School Coach Upward Basketball Coach CLLLBA Coach CLSFElected offices held: District 47 School Board MemberQuestions 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?District 47 does an excellent job of preparing students for high school. Recently the districts (47 and 155) have been meeting to discuss the successes and positive transitions. I support District 47 continuing to have strategic planning sessions with District 155 to insure our students will be prepared to perform at a high rate in high school.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.Senate Bill 1 was introduced in January and if it mirrors prior Senate Bill 16, it will radically change school funding. The passage of a bill similar to Senate Bill 16 would result in a decrease of $5.8 million dollars to District 47 as projected by the Illinois State Board of Education. This would have a severe impact on our District. As a board, we will continue to discuss and analyze our financial position and reduce expenses. This would be in addition to the hard work and cuts the board and administrators have already completed. Tax increases should not be taken lightly and are situationally dependent.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?NoAs 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?In any contract negotiations, both sides are going to make compromises. Whether it be contract language or salary, there will always be give and take. The answer really depends on a few different factors. If Senate Bill 1 passes, there will be $5.8 million dollars in reduced state funding. If pension reform does not pass, there will be an impact on contract negotiations. It is difficult to give a direct answer without ferreting out some of the details that are not under local control.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 are not currently facing this situation. However moving forward, I would not be in support of substantial increases to help boost pension benefits.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?(1) Technology. We are currently discussing the financial impact of individual devices (for example a tablet)for each of our students. Our district is also discussing the professional development aspect to help our certified staff implement the technology to insure the individual devices are beneficial to our students learning. (2) Student growth. Teachers, are faced with identifying and instructing many different styles of learning. Our teachers are going the extra mile for our students. I would like to see increased planning time allowing teachers to continue engaging students with their creative and innovative ideas which will result in increased student growth.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Candidate did not respond.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Never give upIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Nothing. I feel like I have learned from any mistakes I have made and that makes me who I am today.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. Those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Always try your best and never give up.