Jasper County Education Association Interview Questions
Bill Meinhart
- Biography:
My wife Karen and I were born and raised in Jasper County. Our careers took us to other Midwest regions. After retiring 13 years ago, we moved back to our hometown of Newton. I earned a Chemical Engineering Degree from the University of Illinois and was employed by the Dow Chemical Company for 36 years, working in various departments, include Research, Manufacturing, Construction, and Technology Management. My wife, Karen worked as an RN in the medical field, in various specialty departments. Our son, Ryan, is a teaching professional, living in Bangkok, Thailand with his wife and children.
As a retiree, I have had the opportunity to serve in the local community as:
- a mentor in both the CEO class and the elementary school
- a coach and board member for the local soccer league
- a volunteer at Master’s Hands and Honey-Do Ministries
- a 4th and 5th grade Children’s Ministry teacher and Junior High Youth Group leader at our local church. I also serve as a member of the church’s Personnel Committee.
I have a passion for the development, achievement, and success of students. I believe that great schools will develop capable students ready to enter the work force or continue further in their technical / academic education. Capable and well-prepared graduates will grow the local community. I see serving as a School Board member an honor and a valuable way to partner with the community, parents, and schools to continue to make a difference in our student’s lives.
- What do you think class size limits should be?
Current targeted student class size is effective. Intuitively, the lower the student to teacher ratio, the better the student’s education. Course curriculum, student age, student behavior, and teacher experience together determine the optimum class size. Engaging parents in their student’s education, as is being done, for example, with the Teacher–Parent Portal, could be a factor in determining class size, as well.
Continuing to uniquely balance the student to teacher ratio will be an ongoing goal for Administration and Staff, especially with the shortage of certified teachers in the region.
- What is your understanding of the union’s purpose and the collective bargaining process?
The union serves as a unifying partner with the school administration and the teaching staff. Their primary purpose is to ensure that the teacher’s compensation and benefits are competitive with other districts in the region.
- Do you support employee participation in the educational decision-making process? In your opinion, what does that look like?
Currently, district employees are involved in the educational decision-making process. Teachers provide input / guidance on curriculum, methodologies to enhance student educational growth, student discipline, etc. Bus drivers and the bus mechanics monitor bus performance and make recommendations to enhance bus reliability and route efficiency. Facilities personnel: maintenance, janitorial, and food preparation, in partnership with their leaders, identify and correct immediate facility issues in the various buildings and make recommendations to be included the facility long term maintenance plans.
- How do you feel school board members can help with attracting new teachers while also helping with teacher retention?
The current teacher shortage statewide has created a difficult teacher hiring / retention environment. The school board can address this concern by 1) ensuring teacher compensation and benefits are competitive, 2) holding the Superintendent (and administrators) accountable to enable teacher professional development and proactively address teacher concerns, and 3) encourage and recruit college students considering the teaching profession, potentially offering scholarships to those students willing to work within the local schools.
- At times, the board has issues come before it in which parents and school employees are at odds. How would you as a board member handle this?
It is the responsibility of the Superintendent and the administrators to effectively address conflict between parents and school employees. The board’s responsibility is to communicate any issues and ensure that the Superintendent is addressing these concerns.
- What do you see as the most pressing problem in our district?
In my opinion, there are two pressing problems within the district:
- Student academic achievement has yet to recover from the impact of Covid policies. Student academic growth as measured by standardized test scores have yet to match pre-Covid scores. Even though the school district has provided additional tutoring, title assistance, etc. to enhance student performance, more must be done to regain student academic growth.
- Facility condition and functionality. The Superintendent and board have developed a plan to address urgent issues in the various facilities: An elevator for the HS/JH (completed); HVAC and ventilation upgrades for the Elementary building and the JH/HS building (approved – expected completion date = Sept 2024); and roof replacement for Newton Elementary and Junior High / High School – (approved – expected completion date = 2023 – 2024). Revenues from sales tax has helped to enable these projects to proceed. As funds are available, expanding educational opportunities, especially skilled trades; as well as, addressing other long term maintenance concerns should be considered.
- What, in your opinion, constitutes a well- rounded education?
The school district should prepare students to be self-sufficient, have a positive impact on the community they choose to live in; and be willing to “pay it forward” to the next generation. To achieve these objectives, the school district must provide strong academics and technical training opportunities, relational development through social emotional learning and extra-curricular activities; and at the same time encourage student work ethics and integrity.
- What is our district’s greatest strength? Additionally, what is the biggest item our school district needs to improve on?
The school district’s greatest strength is the school’s partnership with the community and parents as evidenced by a) community attendance at school sponsored student activities, b) parental involvement and support of academic and extra-curricular activities, and c) the multiple financial contributions to scholarships, student projects, and extra-curricular activities from the community.
The highest priority improvements for the school district are outlined in question #7.
- How will you ensure fiscal responsibility while also ensuring the best possible educational experience?
The board has the responsibility to ensure that the Superintendent has developed a balanced budget that considers both projected revenues and prioritized educational opportunities. The current Superintendent does an excellent job of assessing and communicating both revenues and prioritized expenses. As board members, we must challenge the validity of the projected revenue streams and the prioritized educational opportunities.
- Will you be a champion for All students, not just those that might align with your personal interests?
I have a passion for the development, achievement, and success of all students. In my opinion, education is the avenue to opportunity for students. JCCU#1’s primary responsibility is to ensure that all our students are provided the opportunity to explore and develop their interests and talents to compete in the workplace.
- If you have previously served or are currently serving as a board member, how has your viewpoint on the role of a school board changed?
My participation as a member of the school board for the past 4 years, has re-enforced the reality that a board member has no legal authority as an individual and that decisions can be made only by a majority vote of the board.
Jackie Schackmann
Biography:
My name is Jackie Schackmann, I am a 1971 graduate of Newton Community High School.
I am married to Rick Schackmann and the mother of Michael (Emily) Bergbower, Katie (Chad Bergbower), Scott (Jessica) Schackmann, and Tyler (Kimmie) Schackmann.
I am the proud grandmother of Austin, Ian, Wade, Hallie, and Owen.
I’m the owner and operator of The Freeze. One of my favorite parts about running this business is the opportunity to interact on a daily basis during the school year with students from NCHS.
Most of my adult life I have in some way been active with the youth of the community: Jasper County Boys and Girls Ballpark Board Member, Coaching Track at St. Thomas, Newton Athletic Booster President and Board member, Head Coach of the NCHS Girls Track team and after retiring last year as the Head Girls Track Coach I am volunteering with the JCJH and NCHS Track Teams.
Giving back to the youth of the community is all I know and now I’d like to continue that by (with your vote) becoming a member of the Jasper County Unit #1 school board.
I’m not going to pretend that I know the answers to the questions on this questionnaire, I realize that if elected I will have much to learn and want to go into it with an open mind.
My priorities are making sure ALL kids that attend JCCU#1 have every opportunity that we can provide to them and that the Board makes wise financial decisions.
I’m available to talk before or after the election and will listen to the concerns of the community. My number is 618-562-2445.
Mandi Utley
Jasper County Education Association Interview Questions
- If you wish, tell us about yourself and why you would like to be a member of the school board.
My name is Mandi Utley. My husband, Dan, and I have been married for 20 years. We have four children, Ashten, Brianna, Cierrah, and Bud. I am an Insurance Producer for Wohltman-Aherin Insurance Agency in Dieterich, IL. I currently sit on the Board of Directors for Bishop Mutual Insurance Company in Dieterich, IL and the Jasper County Community Unit #1 School District.
I would like to continue being on the school board as I have a sincere interest in the education and success of ALL kids in our district. It is crucial we prepare each and every student for life after high school, wherever their interests lie. As a board member, I am dedicated to serve our community with integrity and full commitment to the policies of the board which will improve the education, safety, and health of our students. The children are my ultimate focus, but will also focus on being the conduit on creating stronger ties between the parents/teachers and school board.
2. What do you think class size limits should be?
As we all know, the smaller the ratio between children to teacher, is most ideal for a student’s educational learning and staff teaching. Unfortunately, that isn’t always an option. The amount of space plays a huge factor in this process, as well as the availability of teachers. Our current Strategic Objective #2, focuses on creating a safe conducive teaching and learning environment by maintaining, enhancing, and expanding our current facilities to meet needs of students and staff. This is an ongoing objective we are working towards and it is intuitive that we continue to work on this.
3. What is your understanding of the union’s purpose and the collective bargaining process?
My understanding of the union’s purpose is to be the voice of the teachers. To be their voice to the board in providing a good and productive work environment. The collective bargaining process is to work together with the administration and board in mutually solving problems of the employees, exchange ideas or proposals, and bargain pay, work load, policies, etc.
4. Do you support employee participation in the educational decision making process? In your opinion, what does that look like?
I do support some employee participation in the educational decision making process. Like any job, it is nice to be able to have an opinion on how the work is done, but that isn’t always an option in all decision making. While I believe parents should have a lot to say about what their children are learning about, I believe employees should also have a say in what they are teaching. It shows the trust and value you have in them as an employee, which leads to higher retention, more productivity, and better problem solving. This improved performance would be a huge advantage to our children’s education.
5. How do you feel school board members can help with attracting new teachers while also helping with teacher retention?
I believe school board members can help with attracting new teachers by making the collective bargaining process as easy and smooth as possible. This shows staff that we care about their needs and wants. Having a great working relationship between administration, staff and the board is very important to ensure teacher retention. We need to encourage the teachers professional development and understand their issues and challenges in the classroom.
6. At times, the board has issues come before it in which parents and school employees are at odds. How would you as a board member handle this?
As a board member, I would ask the parent to follow the chain of command. Talking with the school employee first. If the issue can’t be resolved that way, then go the administrator of the particular school. Often times, this resolves the issue. If not, the superintendent should be contacted.
7. What do you see as the most pressing problem in our district?
The most pressing problem in our district is the functionality of our district’s buildings.
8. What, in your opinion, constitutes a well-rounded education?
A well-rounded education is when a child can graduate with an education in academics (English, Math, Science), music, arts, social, and physical skills that will help further them in their collegiate years or when entering the work force immediately after high school.
9. What is our district’s greatest strength? Additionally, what is the biggest item our school district needs to improve upon?
Our district’s greatest strength is our community involvement. We have the best community support for our children! I had a parent from a neighboring community say Newton has the best fan base. This isn’t just in sports, but for all of the kids in our district. It is something I am very proud of.
Our biggest item to improve on, would be our buildings. We need to figure out a way to utilize our spaces and consolidate where needed.
10. How will you ensure fiscal responsibility while also ensuring the best possible educational experience?
Being in a small school district, our children will have to compete with kids from much larger districts, who have more resources. It is evident that we equip our children the very best we can with the resources we have, by focusing on each and every child’s interests and talents.
11. Will you be a champion for ALL students, not just those that might align with your personal interests?
I will certainly be an advocate for all children! Each and every child deserve that from us. Not just board members, but staff, teachers, parents, and our community. I believe figuring out each child’s interest will help us prepare them for what life they want after high school. We are raising and teaching our future leaders, why not want to be dedicated to each one?
12. If you have previously served or are currently serving as a board member, how has your viewpoint on the role of a school board changed?
I have learned quite a lot on the short 1 year I have been on the school board. I have a better understanding of how our money is used for our students and staff. I see our school board truly has the best interest of all students and staff at heart. If given the opportunity, I would love to be able to learn and dedicate myself to ensure the safety and health of our students and staff. I will respectfully listen to community members, staff, and students and seek to understand their views and needs.
Kristine Michels
Jasper County Education Association Interview Questions
- If you wish, tell us about yourself and why you would like to be a member of the school board.
My name is Kristine Michels. I am a current resident of the Jasper County School District, residing in the Grove Township since 2011. I am married to Keith Michels, who has lived in this school district nearly his entirely life. He graduated from Effingham High School but spent the previous 12 years going to the schools in the Jasper County School District. We have three children who attend Jasper County Junior High and Newton Elementary.
I was born in Wisconsin but moved to the northwestern suburbs of Chicago prior to entering Kindergarten. I attended four schools within the Community Unit School District #300 located in the towns around Carpentersville, IL. I graduated from H.D. Jacobs High School in Algonquin, IL in 1993 at the top of my class. I then went to the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana and earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering with a minor in Mathematics, graduating with Honors in 1997.
I spent a few months following graduation substitute teaching in CUSD #300, prior to starting my first engineering job. I then moved companies and worked for the same corrosion engineering firm for 17-years, prior to starting my own business in 2015. I am presently the owner of a certified small woman-owned business with six employees. We provide corrosion prevention engineering and maintenance services to Midwest and country-wide businesses in the energy and manufacturing sectors.
While I have no school board or political experience, I believe that I am qualified for this position simply by being a parent and running my own business. My husband and I are active in our children’s lives and definitely want the best for them. I think that most parents, and members of the School Board, simply want what is best for our children; and one of the most important components of that is a great education. While I do think that is already provided for our students by the current board, administration, and district educators, I feel that I will be able to use my voice to advocate for that to continue for both my children and all those within the district. My experiences as a business owner honed my problem solving and management skills which will also be helpful in the present climate in our district and state.
I would love the opportunity to give back to my community by participating as a member of the School Board.
- What do you think class size limits should be?
A maximum of 25 students per teacher.
- What is your understanding of the union’s purpose and the collective bargaining process?
A labor union is an organization of workers formed for the purpose pf advancing members’ interests in respect to wages, benefits, and working conditions. The collective bargaining process involves the employer (e.g. the school board) and the union’s discussions and bargaining in order to settle disputes and arrange employment contracts.
- Do you support employee participation in the educational decision-making process? In your opinion, what does that look like?
Employees should expect to have a voice in the decision-making process not only through the union, but also individually. Concerns and suggestions from the employees should always be heard by the Board whether that be during District board meetings or separately with one or more Members. Acknowledgement of all concerns and suggestions should expected of the Members. Ultimately, final decisions must be made by the Board while keeping all employees’ concerns and suggestions in mind.
- How do you feel school board members can help with attracting new teachers while also helping with teacher retention?
Since the school board is responsible for crafting the overall educational vision of the district’s schools, the Members must keep in mind that teachers are at the forefront of the students’ education. Providing a welcoming environment for new teachers and appreciation for veteran teachers should be at the top of the Members’ initiatives.
- At times, the board has issues come before it in which parents and school employees are at odds. How would you as a board member handle this?
As a board member, I would consider the issues as presented both by the parents and school employees equally. However, when decisions need to be made to resolve issues, I would realize that I was elected by the parents and other county constituents to make the best judgement calls for the welfare of the district as a whole.
- What do you see as the most pressing problem in our district?
The recovery of academic progress and social-emotional learning after the state-wide restrictions of the past three years.
- What, in your opinion, constitutes a well-rounded education?
All students should have a basic education in the fundamentals of mathematics, grammar/reading, science, and social studies as well as physical education, the arts, and trade and life skills for junior and senior high youth.
- What is our district’s greatest strength? Additionally, what is the biggest item our school district needs to improve upon?
I believe one of the district’s greatest strengths is the commitment of a great number of parents and educators to provide the best learning environment for the students. However, engagement of parents in the public education process is crucial and should be encouraged by the Board Members and educators.
- How will you ensure fiscal responsibility while also ensuring the best possible educational experience?
Throwing money at education or other programs doesn’t always ensure the best possible educational experience for the students. As a board member, I will work within the district’s budget and available funds while trying my best to provide funds for classes and programs that will provide every student with a well-rounded education.
- Will you be a champion for ALL students, not just those that might align with your personal interests?
My personal interests shouldn’t ever be the highest priority as a Board Member. In order to provide a good education for the entire student body, my decisions will be made with the parents and students in mind and the district’s progress my utmost priority.
- If you have previously served or are currently serving as a board member, how has your viewpoint on the role of a school board changed?
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