Daniel Renz: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Daniel Renz

City: North Aurora

Office sought: West Aurora District 129 school board

Age: 37

Family: Married, third grade daughter, kindergartner son

Occupation: Teacher

Education: Bachelors in Fine Arts, History and Natural Science (NIU), Masters in Curriculum and Development (AU)

Civic involvement: A union representative for my school, member of my school's contract negotiation team.

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? No

Website: www.danrenzfor129

Twitter: @danrenzfor129

Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your district and how do you intend to address them?

The most important issue for District 129 are the upcoming contract negotiations and district funding in general. The contract negotiations with the teacher union is an issue because it is important to reward the teachers for their dedication to their craft while maintaining financial order for the district. The teachers and support staff are the pieces of a district that make it successful and those pieces need to be taken care of financially. I intend to try to look at alternative ways to move funding around so that it is available for the teachers and support staff. The overall district funding is an issue because according to Illinois Report Card, the district is underfunded so it would be important to try to do more with the same amount of money.

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 more than satisfied with how District 129 is preparing students for the next stages of their education. With my family, I have only experienced the elementary level thus far and I am impressed with all levels of the school. I have spoken with numerous parents and students around the district at all age levels and I get an overwhelming positive response of how SD 129 is preparing students for the future. The district has shown a commitment by opening a new career center, increasing the AP and dual credit offerings at the high school, and integrating students and technology at an early age.

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? Be specific.

The main budgetary issue that the district will have to confront over the next four years will be the issue of trying to maintain a district balance between ensuring that the teachers and support staff get the pay and benefits that they deserve while maintaining fiscal responsibility for the district. This is important because want to make sure SD 129 has pay and benefits comparable or better than other area districts so that the district can attract and retain quality teachers. My goal would be to look at alternative measures (curriculum review, admin. salaries, etc.) to do this other than raising taxes as the taxes are already on the high side. For these issues, I would want to work with the district's chief financial officer to attempt to work out a plan that would fit. As of right now, I do not think that anything should be considered for elimination, but if elected I would look at every position to determine its effectiveness.

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 am currently employed at Batavia Public School District 101 as a High School Biology and AP Environmental Science teacher, I have been working there for 13 years. I have no family members that are employed by School District 129.

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?

When contract talks come up with the various school groups I believe the board has a responsibility to be present in the talks as an observer and give their thoughts when issues come up. For example, during negotiations a couple members of the board should be present so that they can report back to the other members of the board. I believe that it is the responsibility of the board to maintain pay increases and benefits consistent with other districts in the area in order to attract quality professionals. I believe it is ok for the district to ask for concessions from its employees because I also believe it is ok for the employees to ask for concessions of the administration. The district should not expect the teachers to bear the brunt of financial issues by getting their salaries and benefits cut.

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 would not support a substantial increase in his or her pay to boost the pension benefits. Actually, I do not think any employee should be a given a larger than normal raise the year before they retire simply to get better retirement benefits. The district should reward the superintendent for work done while working for the district and not simply raise their annual pay the last year simply to give the superintendent a better retirement package. Any money that would have been earmarked to give a superintendent a substantial raise before retirement should be used to fund initiatives in district or fund TRS because it is in severe debt due to mismanagement by the state of Illinois.