Al Gaston: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Al Gaston

City: Geneva

Office sought: District 304 school board.

Age: 57

Family: Wife, three children

Occupation: Manager of Wildwood Restaurant in Geneva

Education: Bachelor's degree in history and business from NIU.

Civic involvement: 11 years as head coach of soccer and basketball in Tri-Cities and Geneva Park District; volunteer at Chaplestreet church; volunteer/fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Fouindation for more than 20 years.

Previous elected offices held: None; I've never run for office.

Twitter: @Al Gaston

Issue questions

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

The most important issues facing our school district right now is the negative environment and the culture that exists between the GEA (and the teachers), the community, and the Geneva School Board. I think that it is imperative to immediately start creating new trust and new relationships between the teachers, the community, and the school board. I know with my experience and education I could be a big part of this process. I have worked in the people business for many years. With my management experience and with my learned life skills I would work diligently to help recreate a better atmosphere and backdrop so that we can get back to work on issues important to this community and this school district. We have amazing teachers that work in this school district and I know this first hand. Being the father of 3 children in the school district now and the fact that I work mostly evenings, I have had the opportunity and privilege to work side by side with many of the Geneva teachers and administration. It's time to move on from the strike and get back to work together with one goal, creating the best school system and learning environment for our children.

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?

With my experience as a parent of children in the Geneva school district (12 years now), I feel we are giving our children a solid base moving forward. I am very satisfied with the progress my children have made from elementary school to middle school to high school. The work loads and homework assignments are adequate and my children take school work very seriously. I think having a solid parental backing in the community is one of the most important tools when looking at student success. I would work to help stay ahead of the technology curve in our schools and I would work to help prepare our teachers to stay ahead of the changes in these areas.

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 school board has done a good job bringing down the debt created back in the early 1990s and I would work to continue that progress and process. At this time I would not cut any programs nor do I see that a necessity. I would continue to help monitor expenses through the maintenance of the buildings to helping create new programs that help the students learn and grow. As far as tax increases, being a homeowner in Geneva for over 15 years, I would look to not increase property taxes any more than necessary. The school board has done a good job bringing down the debt created back in the early 1990s and I would work to continue that progress and process. At this time I would not cut any programs nor do I see that a necessity. I would continue to help monitor expenses through the maintenance of the buildings to helping create new programs that help the students learn and grow. As far as tax increases, being a homeowner in Geneva for over 15 years, I would look to not increase property taxes any more than necessary.

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 or have I ever been employed by the Geneva school district. None of my direct family has been employed by the district either.

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 school board should continue to do what it is doing. A new teachers contract is being finalized and I have not seen or heard what the final numbers are so it's hard to comment on this issue at this time. From my understanding, a contract was supposed to be brought to the public at the end of January.

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?

Each case should be studied, gone over, looked at from every angle when we are talking about taxpayer dollars. Obviously, the community is one part of the school boards responsibilities so any increase in expenditures is serious. The school district is a people business. Aside from the buildings and the maintenance of the facilities, most of the dollars spent are for our people - our teachers, our administrators, our students. Being properly compensated is important for any community. As far as "boosting pension benefits" I don't have enough information to give an answer at this time.