James Buzzard: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: James R. Buzzard

City: Aurora

Office sought: SD129 school board

Age: 66

Family: Wife Barb, married 40 years. Sons James and Corey, daughters Lauren and Allyson.

Occupation: Retired

Education: High School, some College, U.S. Navy, Xerox and Canon Corp.

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? No.

Issue questions

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

In my opinion there has been non-transparency to the public and no oversight to the Superintendent making public statements regarding services such as a food pantry if the Public Library was to sell the West Branch building to the School District. This issue caused a major citizen outpouring to stop this action. Many residents are very upset at the comments of the Superintendent at more than 1 public statement, and the Board has had very little to response to requests for information on this issue. If elected I would attempt to include public communication with open question and answer segments added to every Board Meeting. I feel the citizens of the District are entitled to answers when issues arise as to how each board member state their position.

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 find that having 4 schools, 2 Middle and 2 Elementary, falling into "underperforming" by state standards is an indicator that the school district is failing the students. I am glad to see the return of "trade" classes to the district as career paths. There is strong demand in the trades for new workers, who can find long careers in their chosen fields. Not everyone is an academic, however highly skilled tradesmen are treasured.

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.

After the massive referendum allowing the replacement of 2 elementary schools, the purchase of the Dreyer campus and rebuild of that for classrooms, the closings/moves of the Todd Early Learning and Extension School to the Blackhawk Campus, and the building of the Weisner Career Center on the campus I do not foresee the need for any tax increases. I myself have voted for every referendum the school district has had over the past 30 years. However, in my opinion in some cases what I voted yes for was not what we got. If during my term there was a need, clearly confirmed in all debates, I would back a tax increase, but the purpose of such an increase would not change after the fact.

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 not currently employed or retired from any school district. No member of my family is employed within the school district.

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?

In my opinion, from experience, there needs to be a relook at "tenure". I feel that if a teacher has been employed for 30 years, making a substantial salary, but given a position that is not truly an educator, then the salary should be reduced. Those monies should be provided to the front line teachers with little to no tenure. I feel that underperforming teachers should not be able to have union protection. The students should be given the best education available, and poor teachers hold them back. I also feel that outsourcing in many cases may cost more than if done in house. an example of this is in Janitorial services. From experience I did this kind of work while a student. Several students I knew did this through all four years of high school. Paid a small hourly rate the classrooms and hallways were done in 2 hours. the full time staff was minimal to handle the after events. This in turn provided some pocket money to the student workers, and believe it or not, mentoring by older workers on other dimensions of their work.

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?

Absolutely not. In the corporate world that would be called a golden parachute. Just as I am retired, I earned my pension based on my time employed. If the superintendent is under a contract, then what the contract calls for is what they are entitled.