Rick Pryor: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: ElginWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Central Community Unit D301Age: 46Family: Married 14 years to my best friend Lisa. We have 2 children who attend district schools. Samantha in 7th grade and Sydney in 5th.Occupation: Firefighter Paramedic and co-owner of Pryor Rentals of DekalbEducation: Bachelor of Science Western Illinois UniversityState of Illinois Certified ParamedicState of Ilinois Certified Fire Officer IIACE Certified Personal TrainerCivic involvement: Co-founder and President of District 301 girl feeder basketball program,Burlington Blast girls youth basketball.Elected offices held: Secretary of IAFF Local 2178 2004-2008Member of local 2178 Negotiation committee 2004-present.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 To control Elgin's west ward growth, And insure 301 receives adequate impact fees to keep pace with the growth.Key Issue 2 The unpublished deal made by retired superintendent Hawk with the Elgin Park District to allow them use of school facilities over local volunter organizations and allowing the Park District the ability to charge 301 families out of district fees while using 301 facilities.Key Issue 3 Update the districts athletic facilities. We our one of the only schools in the area without a field house. We have high school programs driving 10 minutes one way to a grade school to practice due to no gym space at the high school. The district also does not have enough gym space to adequately instruct its high school physical education classes.Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your district is 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 feel the district does a good job with preparing students for the next stage of their lives. I realize the High School was on the failing list this last testing cycle, but conversations I have had with superintendent Stern,and the Central High Dean Oslager lead me to believe they have identified the problem and are in the process of solving it.What budget issues will the district have to confront? What measures do you support to address them? If cuts are needed, be specific about programs and expenses that should be reduced or eliminated. Do you support any tax increases for local schools?At this point district 301 is in the best shape financially of all the area school districts. The biggest problem they face is the late payments or no payments from the state. There also might be an issue in the near future with the declining home vaules that could negatively effect the real esate taxes collected.Is experience as a teacher or support from a union valuable because it suggests educational insights or detrimental because it creates pro-teacher bias? Please clarify whether you have such experience or would accept union support.It does allow for insight. Having served on my union's board and being part of the negotiating team for my union has given me insight to the negotation process. It should not create a bias, since all decision should be based on what is best for the students and the taxpayers of the district.As contract talks come up with various employee groups, what posture should the board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?Both sides should approach negotiation with reasonable offers. The worst thing that could happen is to approach them with unrealistic demands and have them drag on. With the current economic climate I expect cost to stay the same, with maybe a slight increase.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?Absolutely not! I thought a law was passed at the first of the year making that practice illegal. That is the reason the public pension system is bankrupt.