I have worked with the public in public funded institutions for over 20 years. I do consulting for small village libraries and know how tight budgets are and need to be spent carefully. I lived in Fox River Grove and now Wonder Lake and have a deep appreciation for how small communities stand by their schools, libraries and other institutions. Wonder Lake is our home, I care deeply about the residents and most especially the children, wanting them to have every possible educational advantage but yet make sure that every dollar is spent carefully for their benefit.
My top three priorities are to ensure the best possible education for the children, keep the district fiscally responsible, and at the present time pick the best superintendent for our district. We need someone who will balance education and budget, understand that the school is the center of the community in many ways, and be there for both the children and community.
This is not a “why or why not” question. A levy is more complex than it appears in how it supports the school and impacts property taxes. I encourage anyone who has questions about how a levy works, what can or cannot be impacted, to please contact the school district or attend school board meetings. For me to give a “yes or no” when it’s not that simple would be a disservice to the voters and residents. They need to know the entire truth and not just a sound bite.
I am very fortunate in that I do not disagree with any decision the board has made. The members go over every issue heavily, making sure to know all the facts and study the information. People at times only see the board at their meetings, but there is a lot of homework to be done and research to understand the issues. This board has been excellent at doing that work and voting the best possible way without jumping the gun and not doing due diligence.
There were many. From working with the staff to make it the best possible working environment, working hard to improve test scores and education, and adding technology that made the school district a shining example in the state. But I think the accomplishment I’m most proud of is that we did all that while still sticking to a hard budget that even allowed for abatements on funding. In this economy it’s very difficult to balance what the students need with what the district can handle, but I feel we’ve done a good job at doing that very thing.
I am passionate about our community in Wonder Lake, I feel that our school has risen to a level where it has even been presented as an example of success in Springfield, and I want to continue to do what is the absolute best for the students and their parents. My background in public institutions and technology plus experience in dealing with tight budgets on taxpayer money will continue to let me do the best for the district.
Though I have never been an elected official, I have lived in Wonder Lake most of my life. And two of my children have attended school at Harrison. I am a community member and a parent. I see what happens in the school, and feel the effects in our community.
My main priorities are being sure that our taxes are not raised anymore by our school district. I see the effects that tax increases in this economy are having on our community, especially our senior citizens. I do not feel that these tax increases are being used to benefit our children. We have three administrators; a superintendent, principal, and vice-principal/dean of students, for a school that has right around 500 children. I feel that the children are missing out when they do not have even an art room to display their art projects, but have Nook’s to read a book from. A book that was most likely already in our library. District consolidation is also one of my priorities, I feel consolidation of district 36 is something that needs to be looked at.
Yes, I would support freezing our tax levy. Simply put, people are being taxed out or their homes. You can drive around our community and see the amount of foreclosures that have already taken place. The taxpayers need some relief. Our school board does not take consideration of any of our community members. After listening to several community members, all but one board member, Laurie Alsot, voted to raise our taxes, just because they could. This board of education is out of control, something needs to change, which is why I am running.
The hiring of our last superintendent, who will be leaving our district at the end of our school year. I feel it was a grave mistake, as we lost many well qualified staff members. We re-decorated her office and added a conference room, with taxpayer money. In the process, lost the art room for our children. Isn’t this suppose to be about the children first, not the administration having a beautiful, expensive office.
Raising our taxes, and letting our qualified teachers go, at the request of our superintendent. In other words, absolutely nothing
Hopefully they see my dedication to the children and the community. I will not be about the administration. I will listen and make eye contact with our community members when they come to the board with a concern. I will be your elected official.
