Jim Walz: 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: GurneeWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Jim WalzOffice sought: Warren Township High School District 121 School Board Age: 54Family: Wife- Rhonda (30 years)Son- Steven (26)Daughter- Rachel (22)Occupation: Sales RepresentativeEducation: B.S. Marketing- Western Illinois University (1984)Civic involvement: In November 2012, I spearheaded effort on Advisory Question to declare that corporations are not people and money is not free speech. With 24,000 votes cast, non-binding question passed by 2:1 margin.As School Board member at Warren Township High School District 121, I am involved in efforts to bring solar arrays to the District.Volunteerism related to Hurricane Katrina and local flooding efforts; Gurnee Days paradeElected offices held: School Board member- Warren Township High School District 121Precinct committeeman- Warren Township #303**Democratic nominee for U.S. House- IL. 14 (November 2016)Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?It is my strong belief that civic involvement is the responsibility of everybody. I believe that we must do all that we can to make continual improvements in our intellectual infrastructure (students, teachers, facilities). I am so proud of our district's diversity and all that it brings.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?We are constantly seeking innovative ways to empower our students and ensure that they are getting the most of their opportunities at WTHS. Our recently concluded Strategic Plan helps create a format to achieve certain goals and a process to review the progress realized. Empowering students and giving them ownership in the process is a vital component to identifying and measuring success and can powerfully affect teaching and learning.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?Teachers and educators are the ones with the experience and know-how on writing the curriculum ; they are the experts in their specific field. A School Boards' responsibility is to support and fund research-backed curriculum.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 or fee increases?Enrollment is projected to decrease over the next couple of years. Through attrition, there would be an inherent reduction in our staffing budget. At present, Warren Township High School is on sound fiscal ground. We continually seek ways to save money for those that we represent, as it is our fiduciary responsibility to the community.What role can and should school choice play in your district? If Congress or the state approves a voucher system or other means giving students broader choices among public and private schools, how will that affect your district? What is the appropriate response for the board of education of a public school system?I do not believe that public funds should be diverted to private learning institutions. I do not believe in the privatizing and/or profitizing of our public school system. Period.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?One issue of importance is promoting the use of solar energy throughout the district. The use of solar arrays would allow WTHS the opportunity to realize a significant reduction in energy costs. Solar installation can provide teachers with the unique opportunity to teach concepts in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) and pique student interest in these critical subjects. Finally, solar arrays can help significantly reduce emissions of pollutants that are harmful to both humans and the environment.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Bernie Sanders who taught me to believe that if you want to see positive change, be that change.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?You have a lot less to remember if you always tell the truth.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Thank my parents more !!!What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Marketing allowed me the opportunity to deal with a wide range of individuals, even if we agree to disagree.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?We were each born with two ears; two eyes and one mouth- use them in the same proportion. You learn more that way.