Robert Gonzalez: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Robert Gonzalez

City: Aurora

Office sought: School Board Member

Age: 60

Family: Daughter Jesenia, married to Corey Blank, and two sons Bobby, married to Kait and Michael Gonzalez. I also have four wonderful grandkids Eva, Brady, Milo and Rosa.

Occupation: State Farm Insurance Agent

Education: BA

Civic involvement:

Previous elected offices held: School Board for the past 8 years.

Incumbent? If yes, when were you first elected? Yes. 2011

Website:

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Issue questions

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

We are preparing our students for jobs that do not exist today.

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?

Our present administration and staff are doing an excellent job of preparing our students for the next state in their lives. West Aurora offers many AP courses. We are also constructing a new manufacturing training center that will house Health Science Technology, Information Technology and manufacturing. The Weisner Family Center will provide students early college credit opportunities, job-ready training and industry credentials to meet the needs of our community.

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.

I do not support any tax increases to our community. When we asked the West Aurora community to pass an 84.2 million dollar referendum we promised not to raise taxes and we have kept that promise.

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?

I am not employed nor retired from D129 nor do I have any family members by our 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?

Our district has been blessed with having a great working relationship with our unions. We believe in being fair to our staff and our community.

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.