Election 2013: Michael Gombosi
Michael Gombosi is one of six candidates running for four open seats on the Maercker School District 60 Board of Education.
Name: Michael Gombosi
Position Sought: Maercker School District 60 Board of Education
Residence: Darien
Family: Wife Tammy; sons Maurice, 35, and Michael II, 23; daughter Crystal, 25.
Education: Associate's degree from Joliet Junior College
Occupation: IT supervisor
Years in District 60: 28
Previous elected offices: None
Applicable experience qualifying you for the position: During my professional career I have been responsible for managing many projects. All of these projects were made up of individuals with different ethnic and social backgrounds, each having their own opinion on how to accomplish the task at hand. In this type of environment you must have the social skills needed for keeping the discussion oriented on completing the task while valuing everyone's opinion. You must also have the leadership skills to appropriately deal with attempts to let personal attacks sway the discussion and undermine the team's efforts. I see these skills as being directly applicable to anyone elected to a school board.
What is the primary reason you are running for this office?
I have watched as the Maercker School District 60 finances have slowly been drained to the point where the school board is now struggling with maintaining the current level of service to our students, teachers and staff, while attempting to address the growing deficit. Some of the reasons for the deficit can be directly attributed to decisions made by members of the current school board and I am concerned about the decisions being made by the same school board to address the deficit. I feel that as a new school board member I will bring a different perspective on how to address the current deficit and work towards a surplus.
What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?
To enhance the education of the Maercker School District 60 children by putting the school district on sound financial footing.
What sets you apart from the other candidates?
That’s a hard question for me to answer because I really do not know that much about the other candidates. However, based upon my attendance at school board meetings, I believe that the current school board members running for re-election need to look at the decision they have made which have contributed to the growing deficit and I am hopeful that if re-elected they pose the leadership capabilities to look in all areas for opportunities to reduce the current deficit, even if this means reversing their position on past decisions.
What do you believe is District 60’s biggest strength?
I believe that the Maercker School District 60 teachers are its biggest strength. The school district is fortunate to have a staff of highly qualified teachers who not only come to work for the school district but stay and make a life here in the area. This directly relates to the teachers getting to know and care about our children and their future. It also provides are kids with a stable learning environment in an unstable world.
What do you believe is District 60’s biggest weakness?
I believe that the current financial health of Maercker School District 60 is it’s biggest weakness. Because of the current deficit Maercker School District 60 is having to cutback on programs which will directly affect the education of our children. Because of the current deficit Maercker School District 60 may have to cutback on teachers which directly affect the education of our children. Because of the current deficit Maercker School District 60 is having to cutback on service which will directly affect the education of our children.
In terms of a school district, how would you describe a board that is fiscally responsible? Does District 60 currently have a fiscally responsible board?
Having a well qualified teaching staff — that we have.
Planning for the future when making infrastructure and working environment decision — I believe our current school board could of done better.
Creating budgets that address the current deficit while valuing the support staff and maintaining services that add to the education of our children — I believe that the proposed budget of the current School Board falls short on both of these items.
I believe that Maercker School District 60 has a school board that is attempting to be fiscally responsible but needs help — that’s why I am running!
