LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Publisher’s note: Answers to the following questionnaire were submitted by Paris-Union School District 95 Board of Education candidate Tom Tuttle and are largely unedited, outside of minor stylistic changes to ensure compliance with AP Style guidelines. Any views or opinions expressed in this piece do not reflect the opinions of The Prairie Press or its editorial team.
Briefly explain who you are and provide some background information on yourself (age, hometown, occupation, etc.).
My name is Tom Tuttle. I reside at 112 Janice Avenue in Paris. I was born in Flint, Michigan where my father was a teacher and coach.
When I was one year old my family moved back to my mothers’ home town, Paris. My mother, Martha Bandy Tuttle, graduated from PHS in 1939.
My father, Charlie Tuttle, taught and coached at PHS from 1951-1954. I am retired from Cargill Dry Corn Ingredients of Paris and I have been the manager of the Edgar County Airport for 9 years.
Briefly recap or describe your own educational experience as a student (and as an educator if applicable).
I attended Carolyn Wenz School K-6, Mayo School 7-8, and Graduated from PHS in 1968. I attended Illinois State University on an athletic scholarship. Illness stopped by athletic career and scholarship.
I then attended Eastern Illinois University for two years. With no more scholarship I began working nights to fund my education. I was intending to be a teacher and coach. Both my children have graduated from District #95 schools and from PHS.
Previous board experience and value I have completed 16 years service as a member of the District #95 school board and 12 of those years as a member and officer of the PHS Cooperative School Board.
I have served on the finance, building and grounds, policy, and transportation committees for both boards. I have received a great deal of training through the Illinois School Board of Education and attained the status of Established and Master member. I have served at the table on 6 successful contract negotiations for both boards.
During my tenure, I have worked with four superintendents, Connie Sutton, Jeremy Larson, Lorraine Bailey and Mary Morgan Ryan. I believe this experience has helped me to make valuable contributions to the current and future success of District # 95.
In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue (or issues) facing your school district?
1.) Safety of all students and employees – because of the times in which we live, we must be ever vigilant on this topic
2.) Continuing improvement of our test scores
3.) Efficient use of our state, federal and local funds.
If elected, what immediate action would you propose to address the issue(s) mentioned above? What long-term plans would you propose to address the issue(s)?
1.) Soon begin providing safe transportation to and from schools for our students in new, air conditioned, GPS equipped buses. Also, we will be improving the safety of the entrance vestibule at Mayo School.
2.) Continue to seek the best teaching software and supplies for the benefit of our students.
3.) Continually budget and spend wisely to achieve long term financial stability. At a point in the future at PHS, I believe we will be able to provide graduates with diplomas and an associate degree at the same time.
What parts of your experience as a professional or volunteer do you believe would suit you well on the school board?
Through my 56 years of varied business experience I have gained valuable knowledge that has helped me provide service to District #95.
As a former member of the Paris YMCA board, past president of the Paris Sports Booster Club, the senior member of the Paris Park Board, and coaching youth basketball, football, and baseball for 65 seasons I have learned how important it is to be a public servant.
In your opinion, what is the value and importance of the public education system?
Value and importance of public education Public education is vitally important to all of us.
Our society is dependent upon fresh, new people to continue our current way of life and improve our future. I owe a debt of gratitude to District #95 for the education I received as a student here.
If given the authority, what would you change about the public education experience?
What would you change if I wish there could be a way to motivate all our students to realize how important the K-12 years are.
How to make them realize that soon they will be on their own out in a world that will welcome them if they have something to offer.
What are the strengths of the public education system?
The strengths of the public education system are teachers who can motivate students to have a thirst for knowledge and or skills, administrators who can structure the correct environment for learning, and the taxpayers who are willing to fund the system.
Fortunately, District #95 is blessed to have all of these strengths.
What other information do you want readers of The Prairie Press and community members to know about you?
During my 16 years of service to District #95 we have:
I would appreciate your support in the upcoming election.