Sam Sciortino, Candidate For Parkway School Board

Biographical Information

Name, Age, Address: Sam Sciortino, 72

Occupation: Principal 

Education: BS Biology - Regis University; MS Counselor Education - Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville; PH.D. Educational Administration - St. Louis University

Family (spouse/children and their schools): Wife Barbara, children Barbara, Chris, Scott, 7 grandchildren.

Years Lived in the Parkway School District: 10 

Reasons For Running

I am running for the Board to continue my service as I have the past
three years as a Board member.  My primary reason in continuing
service as a Board member is to work collaboratively with the Board,
district administration, faculty, and staff, along with the broader
school community of parents and patrons to accomplish  our Mission and
Vision for all students to achieve to their highest potential in being
capable, curious, and confident throughout their years in Parkway.

• What qualifies you to be a Parkway School Board member?

I believe my professional background as an administrator and principal in Parkway highly qualifies me to serve as a Parkway Board member as it has the past three years. Throughout my career in Parkway and recent service on the Board, I have listened, studied, researched, asked questions and have participated in decisions that have the highest impact on excellent learning opportunities for all students,
and fiscal responsibility. I also have the experience of serving on three other school boards.

• Do you feel Parkway Schools are as reasonably safe as they can be in the wake of the Newtown school shooting? What is the most important thing you would like tosee the district do moving forward with regard to school safety?

Safety of our students, faculty/staff and anyone who is serving on our school campuses must be safe and feel that they are safe. This is an extremely high priority. Parkway has taken very serious measures to care for the safety of everyone. I would like to see periodic intruder drills so that everyone knows what to do in the event of an emergency. The presence of a SRO in each school on a full-time basis is needed. They should be visibly present when students are outdoors
for PE or other activities. More security cameras are needed on all campuses. We should have local police routinely drive through our campuses and even park in a conspicuous place from time to time.

• Identify the most significant area where you disagreed with the majority decision made by the Board of Education over the past two years and tell us why?

I have served on the Board the past three years. As a Board member, all the work with the administration in studying the proposals on major decisions takes place before the Board makes the final decision. After all the questions, concerns, reasons to believe the recommendation of a proposal meets our mission and will have a
positive impact the education of our students, the Board has come together with a unanimous vote of approval on decisions the past two years. In the event that I do not feel a decision is in the best interest of students and the district, I would not place a vote of approval.

• Is there a program or area of the school district budget that should be more closely scrutinized when it comes to evaluating possible budget cuts in future years?

I have been involved with significant budget reductions of nearly eleven million dollars the past two years. Reserves have been replenished to a seventeen plus level and evidence is clear that no substantial budget cuts are needed as the district goes forward. I believe the continual monitoring of the district allocation of resources will keep budgets in check and budget administrators accountable for the best use of funds.

• Do you support the merger of continuing education classes and programs with the Rockwood School district?

I support the merger of a unified program of continuing classes/programs with Rockwood if the right design of a plan that assures the merger will best serve our communities with all details agreed upon.

• What is your process for establishing priorities when it comes to budget cuts which could impact student instruction?

As a district, every effort needs to be made to maintain a balanced budget and look for new revenues sources to insure there will not be a need to reduce budgets that that will impact student instruction. Should the need arise, I feel the involved process of stakeholder, school personnel, and Board has been effective in making budget reductions the past two years will benefit future needs.

• What do you desire to change in Parkway?

I believe there is continuous improvement where needed throughout the district programs. It is the responsibility of everyone in the district enterprise whether it be a classroom teacher or the superintendent.  The area that I want to be highly effective is the evaluation and professional growth of all personnel.