CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE

Candidate:  Ronald W. Smith         Position Sought:  School Board - Pekin School District 108

1.  Why are you seeking this office?

Because I don't like the direction that the present School Board is going.  I want to see more Team concept used.  You can't have lies told to you and believe that the system works for you.

2.  What are your qualifications for this office?

My first and foremost qualification is wanting to make sure that all students in district 108 receive the highest form of education we can give them and still keep are tax dollars at a low base.  I will bring with me common sense and sound judgment.

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

Yes I have done both.  I managed a computer sales & service company, and I had my own business in the repair of computers.

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

As a LT with the IL Dept of Corrections I dealt with several phases of labor relations.  I believe that quality paid teachers will give us quality educated children.

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

That we believe in "No Child Left behind Law" that we offer quality education and that we have good sound programs.

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?

Again I would have to say be honest, make no promises that you can't keep, and use good sound fiscal management of tax dollars spent.

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

That of support, they need to support district 108, they can do this by getting involved, going to school board meetings, voicing their opinions and backing the district 108 when needed.

8.  What are your thoughts on school district consolidation?

The question should be consolidation of elementary and high school.  Any body that will do their homework on this should know the answer.  Though out the State of IL there have been very few consolidations of grade school and high school together.  Of those few that have taken place they are rural areas with a combined total of students 500 or less.  Pekin is an urban area and I don't believe it is to the best interest of our children to make a move to consolidate at this time.  There are many questions that still need to be answered.

9.  What are your thoughts about James Field?

I am on the coalition to save James Field, and I believe that we need to do something with James Field.  I would like to see it become a historical site.  Places where are children cane go and play, a place of purpose in 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 will not speculate on the current budget because it has already been passed, and my opinions would not mean anything.  Soon after the April election and if I become a new member of district 108 school board.  I will be presented soon after a new budget as a team player I will look over the presented budget and make my decision's then.  I would at that time welcome any comments on the new proposed budget.  If cutes have to be made, I wouldn't make them if they jeopardize Quality Education.

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

I am only one of the team players, but I would be a good player, because I would do my share of my job.  I would be informed on any issue before voting on it.  I wouldn't dominate or be dominated.  There is a Code of Conduct for all school board members adopted by the Board of Directors of the Illinois Association of School Boards.  I will follow these guide lines to the fullest,

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

My top three priorities would be Quality Education, Fiscal Management, and Trust to the district 108.

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

In order for me to be successful the board must be successful.  If the students are successful in good quality learning then we have done are job, by giving them the tools to succeed.