Robertson, Burke join incumbents on D211 school board

Newcomers Bill Robertson and Mucia Burke will join the two incumbents who ran for election for the Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211 board, according to unofficial results.

Board Vice President George Brandt and board member Richard Gerber were the top two vote-getters for the four open seats with 4-year terms.

Unofficial results, with all 173 precincts reporting, show Brandt with 9,428 votes or 17.3 percent, and Gerber with 9,204 votes or 16.9 percent. Robertson was next with 8,979 votes or 16.5 percent, and Burke had 7,629 votes or 14 percent.

Trailing were Charles Fritz with 6,722 votes or 12.4 percent, M. Bryan Neal with 6,430 votes or 11.8 percent, and Roman Golash with 5,970 votes or 11 percent.

Brandt complimented Gerber and Robertson’s hard work in campaigning. Burke also said hitting the sidewalks was the key element in her campaign.

Brandt complimented Gerber and Robertson’s hard work in campaigning. Burke also said hitting the sidewalks was the key element in her campaign.

“I just feel the community feels more in the dark,” she said of talking to voters. “It helped making people more aware of what’s out there.”

Gerber said voters were happy with the district’s financial position, while Robertson said voters responded well to his platform about financial transparency.

District 211 is the state’s largest high school district, comprised of Conant, Fremd, Palatine, Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg high schools.

Voters first elected Brandt, of Palatine, in 2007. He’s served as the board’s vice president.

“The financial position of the district and my involvement is what was probably the strong piece,” Brandt said.

Gerber, of Schaumburg, joined the board in October when he was appointed after the death of board member Theresa Tracy.

“I think people are very pleased with the balanced budget that 211 has,” he said.

Robertson, of Palatine, is an assistant principal at Jefferson High School in Rockford. Burke, of Schaumburg, is active in Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54, where her children attend.

“I just feel fortunate for the opportunity, to have the confidence of the voters,” Robertson said.

Retiree Army Col. Golash, of Schaumburg, was backed by the tea party in Palatine. He was outspoken about the need for teachers to instill core values in students.

“It shows the power of the press,” Golash said of his loss, referring to the Daily Herald candidate endorsements.

Neal, of Schaumburg, is an orthopedic surgeon. His wife, Lisa Neal, ran unsuccessfully for the Palatine Township Elementary District 15 board in 2007.

“I respect the will of the community without reservation and I wish the newly elected District 211 board of education members the very best,” Neal wrote via e-mail.

Fritz, of Inverness, is a familiar face to District 211, having served on the board from 2001 to 2007.