CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate:  Larry G. Howard         Position Sought:  School Board - Pekin Community High School District 303

1.  Why are you seeking this office?

I am running for the 303 Board because the board, like any governing body, needs good and caring people who are willing to serve.

2.  What are your qualifications for this office?

I am the parent of three PCHS graduates who has served on countless Booster Organizations which helps to give me a broad perspective of the district.  I have a BS in Industrial Education and taught at the secondary level for five years.  I have taught Sunday School in my church for 20 years and care deeply about all our children.  In addition, I have 12 years of board experience serving as president, vice-president, and secretary.

3.  Have you ever owned or managed a business?  If yes, please explain.

I have never owned or managed a business.

4.  Do you have any experience with labor relations?  If so, please explain.

As a Board Member involved in District 303 contract negotiations in 1996, 1998, 2000, and 2005, I received first-hand experience with the people and the processes.  The old method used in ’96 and ’98 was divisive and had a tendency to foster and environment of mutual distrust.  The new method used in 2000 and again in 2005 was collaborative and, by design, created and atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation resulting in an unprecedented five-year contract in 2000 and again in 2005.  Additional related experience comes from having served for nine years on Pastor-Parish Relations (as a member and chairperson) at Pekin First United Methodist Church.

5.  What role, if any, do you believe the school district should play in the attraction of new residents to Pekin?

The quality of our public school systems has a huge impact on attracting new residents to Pekin and for verification one only needs to ask any realtor who will tell you what a critical factor it is.

6.  Given that one of the critical elements in business retention and attraction is the quality of the local educational system, what would you do to develop the relationship between the education and business communities?

Individually we all have the obligation to encourage, support, and promote the various community entities while reserving the right to respectfully disagree which ideally is not all that often.  In other words, the incremental parts are supportive of each other to the benefit of the whole.

7.  What do you see as the role of the Pekin Area Chamber of Commerce and other business organizations in local education?

Nothing breeds success like success and like the old Sunday School song we need to “let our light shine.”  Simply put, the list is long of who should promote each other and that list includes but is not limited to:  the Chamber, local businesses, schools, churches, and all those groups that serve to not only better the community but also attract new people and make proud and help retain those now in place.

8.  What are your thoughts on school district consolidation?

Consolidation is an issue where there has been lots of smoke but no fire.  The new legislation did not accomplish the desired result and the required participation of all feeder districts is still a requirement and is not forthcoming.  The 303 Board went as far as it could with a potential consolidation study but, in the end, there was simply no one to do the study.  As it now stands, the legislation would have to be amended, financial gains would have to be more than short term, curriculum enhancements would have to be proven, and all feeders would have to participate.  The likelihood of the Consolidation movement advancing is remote at best.

9.  What are your thoughts about James Field?

James Field was resolved through public input and citizen involvement which shows what can occur when people become constructively involved.  When the proposals reach fruition, James Field will be an asset and a focal point for Pekin.

10.  What are your thoughts about the school district's current finances?  Are there opportunities to cut expenses?  Specifically, where are those opportunities?  Are there areas where spending needs to be increased?  Specifically, where does spending need to increase and where would that money come from?

District 303 is a district that is financially very well managed.  At a time when the majority of school districts are in a deficit situation, District 303 has a balanced budget and adequate reserves.  All this has been accomplished with our state aid frozen at the 1997 level and in compliance with Ptell (tax caps) through a truly teamwork effort.

11.  What do see as the role of a school board member?

An effective school board member is a person who keeps the interests of all involved (taxpayers, students, and staff) in his/her decision making process.  Only through speaking, listening, and reaching consensus can a board move forward.

12.  If elected, what would be your top three priorities?

The three priorities, in my opinion, are predetermined and in no particular order are:  Maintaining a balanced budget within questionable state funding, Negotiating a new Alliance Contract which will expire in the next four years, and Replacing administrative personnel likely to retire in the next four years.

13.  At the end of your term in office, how will you know if you've been successful?

Individual success can only be measured by the collective success of the board as a whole.  As the board deals with issues, problems, and concerns openly and fairly so then will it be measured by progress and once again, individual success can only occur through board success.