Anthony M. Giamis: Candidate profile

Bio

Anthony (Tony) M. Giamis

City: Green Oaks

Office sought: District 68: Board of Education

Age: 49

Family: Spouse: Elizabeth L. Giamis; Children: Zachary - 11th Grade, Christopher - 9th Grade

Occupation: Scientist / Manager

Education: B.S. Rochester Institute of Technology; M.Phil. Syracuse University (Organic Chemistry); Ph.D. Syracuse University (Natural Product Synthesis); Post-doctorate Studies at Emory University (Nuclear Medicine)

Civic involvement: Scouting BSA - Northeast Illinois Council - Aptakisic District Chair; Member St. Josephs Church; RIT Alumni Association

Previous elected offices held: District 68: Board of Education (2015-2019) Incumbent? Yes. If yes, when were you first elected? 2015

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Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your district and how do you intend to address them?

The most important issues for District 68 are centered around the financial issues of the state of Illinois. Although the number of students in District 68 have remained constant for the last two-years, most of the State has seen a decline in population, with the net domestic migration measuring 564,715 from 2010-2017. While we may debate the reason(s) for this exodus, those that remain will be responsible for the pension costs as well as the current maintenance and operating expenses for District 68. Should the State allow a Property Tax freeze or a Pension shift, then even District 68 will be at risk.

How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately 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?

Oak Grove School (District 68) has a long history of providing quality education and setting high expectations for students. It is important that we continually review our curriculum and programs to look for ways to improve. As a member of the Board, I will continue to champion three issues: (1) a commitment to transparency in operations and mission. (2) To ensure a high quality curriculum that inspires our children to learn. (3) To reach a respectable collective bargaining agreement with the educators and staff that will maintain the high levels of scholarly exercise and achievement expected for our students.

What budgetary issues will your district have to confront during the next four years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, be specific about programs and expenses that should be considered for reduction or elimination. On the income side, do you support any tax increases? Be specific.

The District will see changes in revenue sources and levels as the state of Illinois continues to face financial crisis. We must anticipate these changes to ensure they have minimal impact on the students. At this time, I see no major changes to the budget. We must be attentive and willing to reallocate resources to close gaps to achieve the mission of educating our youth. As a candidate, I am not in favor of tax increases for the District.

Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?

No, I am neither employed nor retired from a school district. In addition, my direct family does not work for the District.

As contract talks come up with various school employee groups - teachers, support staff, etc. - what posture should the school board take? 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?

The current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for the District expires in 2021. The Board of Education must listen to the community as well as the teachers and support staff to balance the need to provide a fair compensation package with the availability of community-based revenue or funding.

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 do not support substantial pay increases for anyone, in either the public or private sector, for the purpose of strengthen ones pension benefits. This practice is less than ethical on the personal side and distorts the market expectation for recruiting the replacement.