Local Government Candidate Profile: County School Board District 4: Robert Gause

Candidate: Robert Gause

Party Affiliation: Non-partisan

Age: 53

Hometown: Manatee County

Residence: Palmetto

Occupation: Partner in Allison-Gause, Inc.

Education: Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from the University of Florida (1982)

Bob Gause has served Manatee County School Board’s District 4 since November 2006 and is running for reelection, ready and ”willing to make hard decisions based upon the facts as opposed to popular opinion.“

Gause has lived in the community all his life. 29 years of private sector business experience have been accumulated through Allison-Gause, Inc., a company that supplies civil engineering services to public and private customers.

During his time with District 4, ”I have made the difficult decisions, reduced spending, eliminated 152 positions, increased transparency and returned the focus to the classroom,“ Gause said. ”I believe the changes made during the last year will help improve student achievement significantly.“

”In the end, we need to rekindle an appreciation for public education. Children represent the future and we need to make sure it is a bright one.“ The 1989 Leadership Manatee graduate seeks to provide students ”relevant training“ and ”resources based on improved data comprehension,“ while allowing teaching and learning to fully emerge in the classroom.

The Manatee River Fair Association, Manatee Architects Association and Palmetto High School’s Advisory Committee and Booster Club have welcomed Gause to their organizations. Moreover, he has been a part of the City of Bradenton Tree Board and Architectural Review Board, Keep Manatee Beautiful and was coach, manager, Treasurer, Vice President and President for the North River American Little League.

Gause is involved with the Manatee Chamber of Commerce as a Committee Chair and Board of Directors member and feels ”public perception, FCAT and career education“ are issues the school board must confront.

”We need to do a better job of communicating with our staff and the community what the changes are, the reasons for the changes and the goals/expectations going forward,“ he said. ”FCAT cannot be the sole focus. We also need to find more ways to provide career education for those students who will not pursue a college degree.“