Jonathan Feryance: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Jonathan Feryance.

City: Wauconda.

Office Sought: Wauconda Community D118 School Board

Age: 47.

Family: Wife, three boys (7th, 9th, 12th Grades).

Occupation: Project Manager.

Education: Illinois State University, Systems and Project Management continuing education.

Civic Involvement: Lake Zurich Troop 309; Wauconda Lions Club;

Future Business Leaders of America "FBLA"; PTO Volunteer; Wauconda Pack 290 Cub Master; Moose Lodge

Previous elected offices held: Wauconda Unit School District 118 School Board Member (2011 to present); Appointed June 2010; Elected April 2011; Appointed June 2014; Elected April 2015

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? Yes - 2010.

Website: N/A

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

Twitter: <URL destination="https://twitter.com/JFTnerap">@JFTnerap

Issue questions

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

As any institution dependent on state funding I am concerned with the continued state financial outlook. District 118 benefited from the Evidence-Based Funding for Student Success Act (Public Act 100-0465) implemented August 2017 by seeing timely payments by the state and additional revenue our community reducing some of the burden on our community. As a board member I like to support ways the district can relieve the burden on taxpayers. An example is bond refunding that has saved millions. Our district as well as other districts have felt the impact of substance abuse, children taking irreversible personal actions, and students having more stressors in their lives than before. As a board member I will continue to guide the district with improving programs that help our children's health and well-being.

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?

Recognized as "Wauconda CUSD 118 Named One Of The Top Ten Best School Districts In America By The National Council For Home Safety and Security" is a testament to our districts efforts to prepare our children for adult life. The Council studied the factors of student performance, dropout rates, school funding and poverty rates as the basis for their ranking. There are always ways to improve any program. As board member I support enhancing program improvements such as "Project Lead the Way" to provide engineering education, new Theater courses and the multiple AP courses added over recent years.

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.

The looming state funded teacher pension cost burden the state legislature continues to consider moving to district tax base is a concern. I continue to reach out to state legislators to encourage the state to resolve their financial obligations rather than asking tax payers for more local funding and encourage others to reach out as well. If required to reduce the budget, I would look for changes that have the least impact on education.

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 have not been employed by any school district. My wife is currently employed by District 118 as a school social worker. My oldest son works in the auditorium when groups rent the auditorium for events.

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?

I have high regard for the employees who have chosen to follow a career in our Wauconda School district. During the recent economic downturn our staff supported freezes and helped limit the student impact from reduction in revenues during the recession that impacted district funding. I believe our district as with any employer should pay an reasonable honest wage that can be supported by current revenue.

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?

Wauconda Unit School district is supported by exceptional administration. District 118 will always provide the same retirement benefits availed to teachers, staff and administrators alike that is well within the Illinois state retirement fund requirements. I will always support that the administration retirement benefits mirror the teachers benefits, thus recognizing each retiree's lifelong contribution.