Timothy S. Petsche: 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: 43Family: Married, wife Vicki is a veterinarian, four kids: Julia 8th grade Central Middle school, Emily 6th grade Central Middle School, Kyra 2nd grade Howard B. Thomas grade school, Jack Kindergarden Howard B. Thomas grade school.Occupation: Orthopedic Surgeon, Fox Valley Orthopedic Institute, Geneva, IL Hospitals: Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL Provena St. Joseph Hospital, Elgin, IL soon will be on staff at Sherman Hospital, Elgin, ILEducation: University of Michigan, 1990 B.S. Biology, with DistinctionMichigan State University, 1994, M. D.; Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society, 1993;Internship: UIC 1994Residency: Orthopedic Surgery, UIC 1995-99Fellowship: Miami Sports Medicine Fellowship 2000Civic involvement: Volunteer team physician Burlington Central High School: 1997-2011.Volunteer team physician Batavia High School: 2000-2011.Volunteer soccer coach for Tri-Cities-soccer, AYSO soccer, and Academy FC travel soccer 2000-2011.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 As a physician and published scientific author, I would like to improve the emphasis and importance of science education to the children in our district.Key Issue 2 I would like our children to have an improved ability to use logic, science and mathematics to solve every day problems in life. I feel that starts with a solid education in these areas, and this begins with our public schools.Key Issue 3 As the first board certified sports medicine specialist in Kane county, I would like to bring to the school board the idea that a healthy mind starts with a healthy body. We need to maintain or expand the education of our children in the areas of health and physical education. I would like to see the opportunity for our children to participate in sports and after school activities expanded.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 think our district is doing a good job preparing students, but I feel that some areas need improvement. The State of Illinois only requires two years of science education for high school children to graduate. I do not feel this is sufficient. In todays high tech world, our young adults need a better foundation of scientific understanding to find good jobs, succeed and thrive.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?The biggest budget issue for every district is that revenue from the State of Illinois to each school district has decreased. This is a direct result of decreased revenue the State of Illinois has been receiving since the economy has struggled. This will be a challenge for every district in the State. Some combination of cuts and alternate revenue will be necessary for our district, and every district in the state.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.Although I have experience teaching medical students and physician assistants, I have not worked as a teacher. I do think such experience is helpful, and I would accept union support.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?When contract talks come up with employee groups, it is essential that both sides are able to effectively communicate and come to a mutually agreeable resolution that will require both sides to make concessions. I have learned this lesson as a board of directors member at my orthopedic practice where we employ over 220 people. Everyone needs to be able to communicate and compromise, on both sides of the table to run a successful business.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?No, I would not support a late in the career increase in pay to boost pension benefits. This is a clear case of taking advantage of the system. I would favor a state wide change in the retirement benefits plan for ALL state employees. We need to end the era of the defined benefit pension plan, and move to the defined contribution 401k plan that almost every private sector business uses today. If we had made this change twenty years ago, the state of Illinois would not have needed to raise taxes, and the employees could invest their retirement money as they see fit. A clear advantage for everyone.