Robert E. Rellinger: 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: Glendale HeightsWebsite: http://NAOffice sought: Queen Bee Elementary D16Age: 83Family: Married to Maria; 3 children; 4 grandchildrenOccupation: Retired Federal Law EnforcementEducation: Bachelor's DegreeCivic involvement: Glendale Heights Police Commission member; Knights of Columbus member; Veterans of Foreign Wars memberElected offices held: Queen Bee School District 16 Board member since 1975; have held the position of President, Vice President and member.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NoCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 School Budget issues in the current economic climate.Key Issue 2 The inconsistencies of the ISBE student assessment system.Key Issue 3 The pursuit of improvement of our local and state education systems.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?Our staff and programs provide a competent platform for student success, however, I believe that there is always room for improvement and we should consistently work toward higher goals.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 lack of revenue, especially from the state of Illinois is a crucial detriment to the work of the local school board. I believe that we must be more aggressive in our appeal to the state legislature to provide the promised and needed revenue to our schools. I believe this can be accomplished without further burden on our taxpayers.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.I am generally supportive of union participation in providing a vibrant and successful school district. I believe that a collegial partnership can enhance the educational insight necessary to insure student success.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?Our School Board and teachers worked very hard over the last two years to prepare for and address the downturn in the economy. Our Board and teachers' union reached agreement on several issues including a pay freeze for the 2011 fiscal year. I am prepared as a board member to constantly review the budget and proceed with cost saving measures necessary while supporting teacher value and salary increases when viable.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 am not a proponent of substantial salary increases for the sole purpose of increased pension benefits especially in this uncertain fiscal time.