Joanne Anderson: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Joanne Anderson

City: Mundelein

Office sought: School Board Member

Age:

Family:

Occupation: Comptroller

Education: Master's Degree

Civic involvement:

Previous elected offices held: Mundelein High School Board Member - 8 Years; Fremont Elementary School Board Member - 8 years

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? 2011

Website: None listed

Facebook: None listed

Twitter: None listed

Issue questions

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

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 believe the Mundelein High School has done a good job in preparing its' students for the next stage of their lives. But now that the high school has its' new addition for the subjects of Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) I feel the school district will be better preparing their students for the next stage of their lives. As the students will not only be prepared to go off to college they will also be prepared to go right into full-time employment with hands on experience that they will be able to take into the workplace.

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.

Mundelein High School is in great financial shape. For the past years the district has received the highest score of 'Recognition' for the School District Financial Profile. At this time there are no budgetary issues that the Board of Education needs to be concerned with. In the next few years there may be a couple of changes that the state of Illinois may mandate on the school district that will have an effect on the budget but I think that the school district is financially stable enough that these changes will not affect the education of the students. At this time I do not believe there are any program cuts or tax increases are necessary.

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?

Yes, I am employed by New Trier Township High School. I have no members of my family that are employed by Mundelein High School.

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?

Salary and benefit negotiations with staff is a very emotional and difficult time in any school district. My major concern as a school board member is that all parties involved, the taxpayers, the staff and most importantly the student are all being treated fairly. As a board member I have a responsibility to the community to be fiscally responsible by taking into consideration that any increase in pay or benefits could possibly affect their tax rate. Also, as a board member I have a responsibility to the students to make sure there is enough staff to support the desired programs and curriculum they deserve and in doing that the district must maintain a salary schedule that is competitive that will attract and keep good teachers and staff. With that being said there has to be a compromise between staff, administration and the board of education that any cost increase there may be is in the best interest of all of the students and this must be communicated to the taxpayers in a way that they will understand that what is being done at Mundelein High School is in the best interest of the students and their future.

* 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 this.