Roman G. Golash: 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: PalatineWebsite: http://www.golashfordistrict211.comOffice sought: Palatine-Schaumburg H.S. D211Age: 60Family: Married, two childrenOccupation: Retired Army colonel, last assignment served as chief of staff of a medical brigade responsible for over 5,000 troops in 10 states. Currently, microbiologist at the Illinois Department of Public Health dealing with emerging diseases and threat agents.Education: B.S. in Biology, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL. 1972.M.S. in Microbiology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. 1979M.B.A. Lake Forest Graduate School of Management, Lake Forest, IL. 1986Command and General Staff College, U.S. ArmyCivic involvement: Palatine Citizen Corps, CERT Instructor, ACT for America, Reserve Officers Organization, Military Officers Association of America, American Legion, Ukrainian American Veterans 1LT Ivan Shandor Post 35, Veteran Defenders of America,Illinois Society for Microbiology, Precinct Captain with TOPPER.Elected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Have you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: No.Candidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 Establish an Army junior ROTC program to develop leadership skills, teach military history and encourage the students to become productive citizens of our country by encouraging the development of core values: loyalty, duty, respect, service, honor, integrity and courage.Key Issue 2 Honor our military heroes by a permanent exhibit at each school and encouraging the students to attend the Veteran's day program organized by the American Legion in Palatine.There are graduates of d211 who serve in the military and some who have made the ultimate sacrifice, they should be honored.Key Issue 3 Fiscal responsibility. The property taxes cannot keep going up at the current rate, it is not sustainable. Priorities must be established. Continue to support the Illinois Policy Institute's transparency checklist allowing the citizens of district 211 full access to financial information.Questions Answers Evaluate how the District 211 has used the money from the 2005 tax-hike referendum.According to Standard Poor, district 211 realized a 14.7% total general fund revenue increase from 2005 to 2006. The total general fund expenditures for 2006 was $169,885,000 while expeditures for 2007 ended up at $193,079,000, a significant increase.What steps must District 211 take to further bolster its reputation as one of the best high school district in the state?Academic test scores are used to evaluate schools, but does the graduate reflect the values of the community? A partnership of parents, teachers and administrators need to instill a strong sense of American patriotism coupled with a moral compass. Our Nation is at war with Islamic radicals, their goal is to destroy our country. How does the graduate cope? Information and the ability to make morally correct decisions in life improves the reputation of the school.How well does the district spread resources and funding among its five schools? Is there equality or do things need to change? Cite examples, if you can.The district 211 budget July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 does not indicate individual funds for the high schools. Programs are funded, I assume, and distributed fairly. The anticipated working cash on June 30th should be $16,763,079. Excess funds should be saved for emergencies and eventually the tax burden should decrease for the home owners.If elected, you will participate in negotiating the next teacher contract. What should change, if anything, in the next contract, and how well does Dist. 211 balance the need to retain top teaching talent with fiscal responsibility?An understanding must be reached with the union regarding the sustainability of increases in the taxes. The union has the right to ask for pay increases, but the administration/school board has the obligation to perform due diligence to see if the increases are warranted and affordable. District 211 can continue to retain excellent teachers by providing a teaching environment in which the teacher is self-actualizing and the students exceed expectations.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.My teaching experiences are very important to see both sides of the issue. In the past I taught at Northwestern University, Northern Illinois University, Harper College, the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, Illinois Department of Public Health and the Palatine Citizen Corps, CERT program.I look forward to working with the teachers and the union.