Gerald Chapman: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: InvernessWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Palatine District 15 School Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Wife LindaAdult son and daughterOccupation: Retired EducatorEducation: B.A., Northern Illinois UniversityM.A., Northwestern UniversityEd.D., Indiana UniversityCivic involvement: Former Member (25 years) of Palatine Chamber of Commerce Board; Former Trustee and Current Commissioner for Palatine Rural Fire Protection District; Board Member and Treasurer, The Bridge Youth and Family Services; Palatine Township Cemetery BoardElected offices held: School Board Member, Community Consolidated School District 15Questions Answers Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?I was honored to be appointed to the District 15 school board two years ago to fill a vacancy. My service as a board member has been personally rewarding as I have had the opportunity to serve with other dedicated board members and to work with a group of talented administrators who are committed to making an outstanding school district even better.Illinois is undergoing challenging times with ongoing disputes among politicians in Springfield and with thousands of residents leaving the State. Currently, these issues do not exist in the District 15 communities largely due to the excellent leadership provided by our local elected community and school officials. Families are moving into our communities mainly due to the quality of local governments and the excellence of our schools. I want that to continue.What was your position on the district's proposal to build two new schools, which failed in the November election? Why? How should the district address its facilities needs over the next two years? Would you support another referendum, and if so, how do you think a plan can be developed that would pass?Last year, the District 15 school board received recommendations from a citizens committee that included providing space for all-day kindergarten, reducing bus times and costs, reorganizing to implement middle schools rather than junior high schools, and aligning District 15 school boundaries with the local high schools. I supported putting the matter before our local voters to allow them to decide whether the benefits were worth the costs.Looking to the future, the superintendent has sought community volunteers who are serving on a committee to review programs as well as facilities and to develop recommendations for the administration and school board. I look forward to the committee's findings and recommendations, and I will give them due consideration.As contract talks come up with other employee groups, do you believe the district should ask for concessions, expect costs to stay about the same, or provide increases in pay and benefits? If you are an incumbent, why did you support the 10-year teacher contract? If you are a newcomer, what's your view of the contract? Would you support similar length contracts for other employee groups? Why or why not.Negotiations are just getting underway with employee groups whose contracts expire at the end of this school year. In recent years, negotiations sessions have been conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect and focused on reaching reasonable compromise. I am hopeful that same positive atmosphere will exist this year and in the future.Public disclosure of specific positions in advance of negotiations can be counterproductive. That said, I will only support proposed agreements that are fiscally responsible and fair to employees and taxpayers.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 or fee increases?A major financial issue facing District 15 is funding to maintain and/or upgrade our aging facilities which, unfortunately, former school boards have allowed to deteriorate. The current board has successfully negotiated contracts with employee groups that have kept salaries competitive and affordable while allowing funds to be allocated for necessary building repairs and upgrades.During my tenure, I have supported and the school board has adopted balanced budgets while preserving reserve funds with minimal tax increases. Because income from real estate taxes are received in two major installments and because of the major delay in receiving State aid payments, reserve funds are needed to bridge the gap while awaiting payments.What role can and should school choice play in your district? If Congress or the state approves a voucher system or other means giving students broader choices among public and private schools, how will that affect your district? What is the appropriate response for the board of education of a public school system?As with the case of any other State or Federal mandate, if school choice or vouchers are enacted, the role of the school board should be to implement the law. (Public schools are a State responsibility, and local school boards have only the authority delegated by the State.)Given the high quality of programs offered in District 15, I doubt there will be significant enrollment impact if a choice or voucher plan is enacted.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?District 15 has a long history of nonpartisan school board elections. Unfortunately, this year a local political organization has slated and is endorsing school board candidates. I strongly believe that our students and our communities will be better served by school board members who are committed to public service rather than being politically connected.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.My father, an eighth grade graduate, was a successful small businessman, avid reader, and life-long learner.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Appreciate what you have, and be helpful to othersIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have been an early investor in Microsoft.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?My favorite high school subject was mathematics, and my favorite teacher was Elizabeth Crutchfield, who inspired me to pursue a career in education.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Appreciate what you have, and be helpful to others