By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – A newly-appointed Unit 5 School Board member aims to keep the district financially sound, which he acknowledges is not easy given the current economic climate.
School safety is another top priority for Alan Kalitzky, who was picked along with Amy Roser to replace former members David Fortner and Jim Hayek.
Kalitzky pledges to carefully analyze incentives offered for economic development, such as the tax abatements given to Brandt Industries and the recent extension of the tax increment financing district for Uptown Normal.
“When we talk about some of those individual TIF opportunities or tax rebates or anything to that effect, it’s going to be something that I’m going to look very, very hard at and see what the economic value long term is going to be,” said Kalitzky.
Kalitzky and Roser say they’re ready for the criticism that sometimes accompanies their new positions. Roser said it’s important work and someone has to do it “to maintain the quality of the education for our kids, to maintain the quality of our community.”
“I feel like I have some skills and talents that I can share. I take the responsibility very seriously because someone has to step up and do it,” Roser said.
The school board is searching for a third new member to replace Joseph Cleary, who’s taking a teaching job in California. Wednesday night was Cleary’s last school board meeting. All three new members are expected to be on the ballot for next April’s election.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
