Justin Karubas: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Justin Karubas

City: Naperville

Office sought: School Board Member for Indian Prairie School District 204

Age: 45

Family: Married with three children

Occupation: Attorney in estate planning, administration and litigation at Rolewick & Gutzke in Wheaton

Education: University of Illinois, Chicago-Kent College of Law

Civic involvement: Former board nMember of the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation

Previous elected offices held: 6-year incumbent on Indian Prairie Unit District 204 school board

Incumbent? Yes

If yes, when were you first elected? 2013

Website: https://justinkarubas204.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karubas/

Twitter: @karubas

Issue questions

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

The two most important issues facing the District from the board level are economic development and state funding. I will continue to partner with the City of Aurora and the City of Naperville to promote economic

development that benefits our community. However, any development must not come at the expense of the District in the form of Tax Increment Financing (TIFs). Historically, state funding has been very uncertain. While Illinois has a new funding formula, the willingness and ability of Illinois to make state funding of education a priority remains to be seen. I will continue to develop relationships with local legislators and advocate with the Illinois Association of School Boards to focus Illinois' funding of public education as being both stable and primary.

* 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 extremely satisfied. However, there are many opportunities to constantly improve. I am not a teacher or administrator and have no training as such. As a School Board member, I believe my role is to set goals for administration, provide input on the means for achieving those goals, require regular reporting on the the progress and hold administration accountable. The District recently changed one of its goals to include social and emotional factors.http://board.ipsd.org/Goals.aspx This is a critical part in preparing students for their next steps.

* 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.

In order to maintain a balanced budget, the District has borrowed from our buildings and increased class size. The new funding formula has benefited the District, but the state's reliability in payments is questionable based upon prior history. As funding has improved, the District must focus funds back into the buildings and classes. I do not believe that cuts are necessary. Efficiencies should always be considered. Beyond the increases in the tax levy, I do not support additional tax increases.

* 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?

No, I am not currently employed by or retired from a school district. Yes, my son, Tim Karubas, has worked and will continue to work as a part time lifeguard at Neuqua Valley High School when he is not swimming for the 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?

One of the District Goals is to hire and retain high quality, effective teachers, school leaders and support staff.

http://board.ipsd.org/Goals.aspx In order to do so, the District must offer salaries, benefits and an environment that is competitive with neighboring and comparable districts. The finances of the District are publicly known. https://www.illinoisreportcard.com. When it comes time to negotiate the contracts which expire in 2022, both sides will consider these factors with the information known at that time. It is unwise to form an opinion on negotiations now without knowing the above factors.

* 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?

No. The costs for state pensions are competing with state aid for schools.