Fred Goldman: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Fred Goldman

City: Mundelein, IL

Office sought: District 75 School Board Member

Age: 52

Family: Wife Ana, Kids: Shelby, Leah, Eli and Gabriel Goldman

Occupation: Insurance Agent, New York Life (2018 - current). Bond Trader and Risk Mitigation (1988 - 2017)

Education: Finance Major at University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

Civic involvement: Co-Founder and Coach of D75 Robotics Teams in Carl Sandburg (2012 - current). Vice President of Mundelein Soccer Club (2008 - 2015), Youth Baseball Coach Mundelein Little League (2000 - 2005), Youth Soccer Coach, Mundelein Soccer Club (2002 - 2015)

Previous elected offices held: None

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? YES, 2015

Website:

Facebook:

Twitter:

Issue questions

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

1. Transforming with a new shared Superintendent this June. Improving Student test scores (adjust curriculum, 2-way immersion), Financial constraints (Prioritize within budget, solar project, Solidify teacher contract)

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?

Not satisfied but see improvements happening. Some programs such as two-way immersion are the right approach but take several years to see results. Others such as change of our science curriculum or instituting double period of math show improvements much sooner. We now have the ability to gather and analyze the data to make better decisions and adjust where/when necessary such as a specific grade or subject matter. Working with the high school in goals for our students has led to quicker program changes such as the Big Ten math (double period of math) to get kids to algebra. We need to continue to better engage parents and make them a true partner in their students' education.

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.

First, I do NOT support ANY tax hikes. Upcoming, The State of IL will look to transfer a bigger pension on school districts, but we only control our piece and we try to be fiscally conservative in our approach as a Board. Also, maintaining our buildings always has a to-do list and coming up will be major roofing projects across the district, which we are prepared for with long term budgeting. Since I've been on the Board, our district has reduced costs WITHOUT reducing ANY student programs or extra curriculum activities. In the last 2.5 years, we've reduced the number of administrators, outsourcing custodial services, reviewed and reduced costs of utilities and vendor contracts, brought back our students from SEDOL, which is not only good fiscally but having our students in our buildings getting their needed services here is fantastic for families. Our upcoming solar project (on each building and creating a solar farm) will significantly reduce our utilities costs for the next 2 decades.

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 to all the above

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?

Our teachers are the best and we want them to be happy within their building (giving them resources and great working environments) and monetary security. I led our Board in district teacher union negotiations in 2018 and we signed a 4-year agreement. I'm sure neither side got everything they wanted but our partnership with our teachers and belief in supporting them helped us agree to the long-term contract.

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?

No golden parachute! Dr. Henrikson is a fantastic district leader and is retiring at the end of this school year. But absolutely no to bumping his salary to increase his pension. And to be honest, I don't think he would ever ask for anything like that.