Vincent Torossy: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Vincent J. Torossy

City: Wauconda

Office sought: Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 Board of Education Member

Age: 26

Family: N/A

Occupation: Conference Event Specialist, Higher Education

Education: B.A. Political Science '15, Loyola University Chicago; M. B. A (finance concentration) expected graduation May 2020, Loyola University Chicago-Quinlan School of Business

Civic involvement: N/A

Previous elected offices held: N/A

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? N/A

Website: N/A

Facebook: Vincent Torossy for CUSD 118 School Board

Twitter: N/A

Issue questions

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

Having grown up in Wauconda, I feel a great deal of pride for the community and its schools. Some of the current issues facing our district are redistricting so that our school buildings are adequately filled and being properly optimized; along with more comprehensive district growth issues like how we can enhance students' overall experience by preparing them for what's next while maintaining a top tier education system in all aspects. The Board of Education must work with school officials, administrators and teachers to develop a curriculum and extracurricular opportunities that not only help to best prepare our students, but to help them improve and grow in all endeavors they undertake. I intend to operate within our budgeted means to increase A.P. classes at our high school level as well as analyze what our school district offers in technical programs and enhance what it is currently in place. My main focus is to prepare our students for the next step, whether that be college, a technical career path, some form of public service, or otherwise. All students should have access to K-12 education that lays the foundation for a successful and happy life.

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?

My primary goal as a D118 School Board candidate is to ensure our school's provide adequate opportunities for Wauconda students to access advanced academic studies for college bound students, technical training skills for those who will enter the workforce post high school, and opportunities to engage in public service. Wauconda schools have done a good job so far and I want to further leverage our district's resources to build relationships with local colleges, technical schools, and businesses to create job training opportunities and help our students close the skills gap in technical fields. For college bound students, the School Board must promote efforts to help guidance counselors and school administrators attract college representatives and direct students to scholarship and financial aid opportunities to promote access to affordable education.

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.

Like the rest of the state, Wauconda schools have had to cut back because of lapses in adequate state funding. While the district has managed its funds wisely so far, I firmly believe that we must take any measures necessary to ensure the solvency of the Wauconda schools long-term. Before the school district even considers budget cuts, we must explore creative financial strategies to reduce the impact of the district's debt. For instance, I believe the district made a good decision when it recently approved a measure to end existing debt payments three years earlier than expected, which provided an overall savings to taxpayers. Tough financial times do arise, though, and budget cuts sometimes are necessary. But let me make myself clear, my priorities are providing a broad curriculum for students, retaining highly-experienced teachers and administrators, and maintaining top notch facilities. In collaboration with other Board Members, school administrators, and teachers I am confident we continue to operate at a top level.

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 by a school district, nor have I ever been. My sister is currently employed by Wauconda School District 118 as a substitute teacher.

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?

Our teachers and support staff are our district's greatest resource. I believe our district must ensure salaries and benefits remain competitive with the many quality school districts in our area, so we can retain highly-skilled educators. The school board should do whatever it can to keep negotiations with faculty and staff positive and productive when tough financial times arise, which is hard on everyone - teachers, administrators, and students. In these situations, I hope to minimize the impact on students by retaining high-quality staff with reasonable adjustments according to the cost of living.

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?

As long as our school district officials such as superintendents and administrators remain properly compensated during their tenure within the district, I do not believe increasing pay for the sole purpose of boosting pension benefits is ethical. I respect and appreciate the efforts and work that school officials and administrators put in on a day-to-day basis, and they deserve to be properly compensated for their services. However, a last-minute pay increase does not seem to make sense for the overall well-being of the district.