Ronald Swartz: Candidate profile
Bio
Name: Ronald J. Swartz
City: Grayslake
Office sought: Fremont Township 79th District School Board
Age: 71
Family: children - Daughter/Ashley 33 Son/Kyle 27
Occupation: semi-retired/ financial market consultant, analyst, investor
Education: BA/Accounting, MBA/Finance, MBA/Mathematics
Civic involvement: active in County, Township, and Local Community politics and issues
Previous elected offices held: N/A
Incumbent? No If yes, when were you first elected? N/A
Website: to be given
Facebook: to be given
Twitter: N/A
Issue questions
What are the most important issues facing your district and how do you intend to address them?
ISSUES 1. Increase student growth and achievement 2. Personalized Learning 3. Guaranteed and viable curriculum 4. Standards-based grading 5. Facilities Renovations
STRATEGIES 1. Design and implement innovative and creative experiences to support child development 2. Leverage human and fiscal resources to ensure the success of all students and programs 3. Value engaged employees who are dedicated to supporting all students 4. Provide a safe, secure, and technologically advanced and aesthetically pleasing and comfortable environment 5. Engage all stakeholders in the work of the district
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?
This is a tough question to address at this stage for me as it will require more time and experience interacting with the administrators and teachers of the district. I hope to be able to observe and participate more in the daily activities of the district system to better acclimate myself to the district needs. This will require a gradual learning curve! However, based on the information supplied and the meeting I've had with Superintendent Dr. Bill Robertson and Board President Jason Bonds I am very impressed with the accomplishments, the achievements, and the facilities of School District 79.
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.
Another question that will require a gradual learning curve. However, with the impressive information I've been provided, I can conclude District 79's finances and budgetary issues have been managed efficiently and expediently. Monitoring of the districts homeowners tax base, maintaining and strengthening it's current bond rating (Aa1), and the continued maintenance of a balanced budget is of paramount importance.
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?
NOT APPLICABLE
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?
With the priority being fiscal responsibility and to engage and attract the most qualified and competent people it is of utmost importance to maintain a position of flexibility taking each situation on a case by case, individual by individual basis. To believe costs will remain the same is not a practical assumption, but one that can fluctuate on conditions changing as the employee grows within the system or the need arises fir employees to be replaced.
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?
This is another question that needs addressing on a case by case, individual by individual basis. I believe, history, economics, social needs, and performance of the individual would dictate the decision of this or any change to pension benefits.