CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate:  Ron Knautz          Position Sought:  School Board - Pekin School District 108

1.  Why are you seeking this office?

My appointment to fill a vacant term on the 108 board has been rewarding, challenging, and very stimulating.  As a retiree (now working part time) I now have the time that is required to fulfill the duties of a board member.  I enjoy the challenges.

2.  What are your qualifications for this office?

Four months experience has resulted in new glasses, after reading the many communications from the Superintendent, staff, and other board members.  My previous work experience allowed me to be an team member, effective listener, and utilized my resources/other departments to make collaborative decisions.  I was involved on the Plan Commission for the Village of Glendale Heights for 11 years, chairman of the golf course committee for the village for 15 years, and have been on the Pekin Plan Commission for 2 years.  My wife Gloria, a Pekin native, and I have been in Pekin for almost 4 years.

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

I have not owned a business, but I did retire after 38 years from United Airlines as a Manager of Worldwide Operations.  I held non-management positions in customer service, inflight service, and ramp service.  My management duties included supervisory positions in inflight service, customer service, and air cargo.  I became a station manager in Moline and Indianapolis before going to World Headquarters as an Operation Controller and retiring as a Manager of Worldwide Operations.  This last position required that I make cost effective and sound decisions with safety always in the forefront.  It was my responsibility for any hazardous material situations, security issues, accidents, injuries, bomb threats, etc.  I am not afraid to make decisions that are in the best interests of children and the community.

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

I had to work within the framework of the various collective bargaining operational groups in the airline industry including pilots, flight attendants, customer and ramp services.

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

People with children looking at Pekin as a place to live should be pleased with the grade and high school programs.  Without schools such as we have, one would not want to relocate here.  Schools play an important part in attracting new residents.

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?

I would encourage the Superintendent or one of his designees to attend monthly Chamber meetings as a liaison between the Chamber and the School District.

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

The local Chamber and other businesses are levied taxes to help support the schools.  In turn, residents, students, families support local businesses.  If we don't support our schools, our businesses too will fail.

8.  What are your thoughts on school district consolidation?

I know this has been a controversial issue.  I have read several articles on consolidation that indicates a district larger than the size of 108 may not be in the best interest of the community.  I would need more information than what I have now to say whether I was for or against consolidation.

9.  What are your thoughts about James Field?

James Field is what led me to my appointment to the 108 Board.  I did not want to see this particular parcel (green space) being turned into a commercial property.  I believe it should be enhanced and maintained by the Park District on a lease basis.  Outside funds should be used to make James Field a park of beauty and another asset to the city of 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?

I think current finances are sound.  District 108 is not on a watch list.  Expenses could always be cut but at what expense to the student.  We need to provide the best possible education we can without affecting staffing, programs, etc.  I think the schools, park, and library districts should look at impact fees to help the financial situation.

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

The school board is required to adopt and enforce all policies necessary for the purpose of managing and governing the district schools.  It is the Superintendent who must develop the procedures to implement the policies.

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

1.  Hire a new superintendent.

2.  Find alternative revenue resources.

3.  Work as a team to determine whether or not consolidation is right for District 108.

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

I will be successful if we hire a new superintendent, if some of my ideas (i.e. impact fees) are utilized, and if the issue of consolidation is settled.