Bruce Gottermeyer: 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: AntiochWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Emmons District 33 School Board (4-year Terms)Age: 48Family: Married, one daughterOccupation: Business Banker, First American BankEducation: Bachelor of Science in Finance, Millikin University, 1986Civic involvement: Antioch Lions Club, Treasurer/BoardElected offices held: Interim District 33 School Board MemberHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Help maintain a balance between a strong education and balanced school finances.Key Issue 2 Keep Emmons #33 as an independent for as long as possible.Key Issue 3 Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers What do you think about the shift to the common core standards? How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?In theory it sounds like a realistic goal, but in a practical application I'm not so sure. You're not manufacturing cars, you're educating children who have all different kinds of influence on their lives. You can control the school day, but not what happens outside the school. The common core is mandated to happen. It is the boards responsibility, through the Superintendent, to make sure the implementation and education are completed to ensure success.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?Emmons has had an excellent reputation for preparing students for the next level. There has been steady progress on the technology end and continuned effort to get the teachers the tools and further education within budget constraints which need to continue.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax increases?The State of Illinois financial issues will put immense pressure on all school districts with the ever present threat of additional pension burden. Emmons is fortunate to have an excellent business manager who thinks ahead and at this point the district is prepared for the initial burden. There will have to be cuts made if pension costs are passed on. There is not a lot of meat on the bone to cut from day to day operations. Elimination of salary expense will be the primary target. Taxes will continue to go up, no matter what we all want. The way the educational funding system is set up, its unavoidable. Minimizing the damage is the key.As contract talks come up with various school employee groups, do you believe the district should ask for concessions from its employees, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?There is not a lot of room for siginificant raises and unfortunately as benefit costs rise, I would expect the employees to share the burden.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?I would not. The State and taxpayers are already burdened by excessive pension costs.