Kathy Bianco: Candidate profile
Bio
Name: Kathy Bianco
City: Wauconda
Office sought: Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 School Board
Age: 49
Family: Married for 22 years, one daughter in her freshman year of college
Occupation: Sr. Writer Analyst, Legal and Regulatory; Licensed attorney in the state of Illinois
Education: J.D. from John Marshall Law School.; BA in Economics from University of Illinois at Chicago
Civic involvement: Member of the American Legion Auxiliary; Vice President of the Wauconda High School Booster Club; Professional member of the Future Business Leaders of America; Girl Scout leader (2005 to 2015); PTO Secretary (2011-2012) at Wauconda Middle School; and PTO President Wauconda Middle School (2013).
Previous elected offices held: Wauconda Community Unit School District 118 school board
Incumbent? Yes. If yes, when were you first elected? April 2015
Website: N/A
Facebook: N/A
Twitter: @KathyBianco1
Issue questions
What are the most important issues facing your district and how do you intend to address them?
There are many challenges facing public education. Among them are student well-being and state funding. Across the country and in our own community, we are hearing everyday about instances of children hurting themselves and others. To address this issue, I will support initiatives to provide our teachers and administrators with the tools they need to recognize warning signs, to ensure that students feel safe at school and are able to approach school staff with concerns of their own or about other students, and to encourage students to be kind and supportive to each other. The continuing uncertainty of state funding levels is an issue that must be considered in all district decision making. To address this issue, I will advocate for our district with our local lawmakers to ensure that we continue to receive fair funding that will allow us to provide the tools and programs to ensure that our students can reach their full potential. I will also continue to support all efforts to pursue all government programs to which our district is eligible.
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 strongly believe that our district is providing students with the tools they need to go out in the world, whether into the workforce or on to college. I am the proud parent of a former D118 student. My child has acclimated to college and is thriving. I contribute that to the skills that she acquired through AP classes and participation in extracurricular activities, such as Future Business Leaders of America, National Honors society, dance team, and theater. I also believe that our elementary and middle schools are very effective at preparing student to move on to the next level so that the transition is seamless, and the student can get right to learning. To meet the needs of our students into the future, we must continue introducing innovative and cutting-edge programs that focus on technology changes, such as "Project Lead the Way," which will provide both real-life skills and prepare students for college.
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.
State funding continues to be a concern because any major change in the funding formula could negatively impact the district's financial position. However, I am confident, if state funding remains stable, that the district is in a good financial position and I do not expect major issues in the near-future. If we were to experience issues, I would focus on cuts that will not have a direct impact on our students. I am a strong believer in the value of fine arts and athletic program. I feel that they are important to the development of well-rounded students both in the classroom and outside. As to the question of tax increase, my support or opposition would be based on the underlying need. My hope is that our community will begin to see some tax relief through bond refunding and continued development within the district.
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
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 believe that the school board should act as any other employer in the current fiscal environment. In the past, teachers in our district have made concessions in their contract to avoid cuts that would have impacted our students. As such, I do not think that we can or should ask them to accept no increase in their pay or benefits, but I do expect the board to negotiate reasonable increases in line with the district's projected budgets.
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?
Generally, I would not support a substantial increase just to boost pension benefits, unless there were extenuating circumstances that warranted an above average increase, such as an administrator that may have foregone an increase in the past for the benefit of the district and an increase is necessary to bring that administrator's pay to parity with his/her peers. This is a question that should be addressed on a case-by-case basis with the issues of fairness and fiscal responsibility at the forefront.