2017 Election Questionnaire: Leslie LaMarca, District 300 School Board

Name: Leslie LaMarca

Age: 47

Town of residence: Pingree Grove

Position sought: District 300 board member

Family:

Ray – husband

Livia – daughter; age 14

Landon – son; age 12

Leo – dog

Zeus – guinea pig

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: My husband has been a Village Trustee in Pingree Grove for 6 years. However, his term is up in April and he is not seeking re-election. This includes any relatives who work in the government you'd be representing.

Education: B.A Communications/Public Relations

Occupation: Grant Writer (self-employed)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None that are public. I currently serve as a Director of the private board for Northern Kane Educational Corporation (governing body for Cambridge Lakes Charter School)

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it: In the midst of a tumultuous economy and a shaky political landscape, our district has somehow managed to be admirably progressive on many fronts. Our implementation and planned expansion of the 1:1 technology initiative and the addition of new programs such as Pathways are just two examples of how our district continues to be a leader in innovation, always striving to meet all students’ needs while staying focused on our central mission and fiscal responsibilities. As a D300 parent, that makes me very proud! As a Board member, I would clearly feel the necessity to maintain this rate of progression and ultimately be faced with the challenges that would come with it. This, I believe, will be the greatest challenge going forward. Parallel challenges would inevitably include how to navigate fluctuations in funding, how to best accommodate the needs and expectations of 21,000 students and their families, and how to maintain a positive and mutually-enhancing relationship with the residents, businesses, and organizations within our district. Admittedly, this is a daunting task and one that will require board members who are dedicated, passionate, analytical, and determined – all qualities which I believe I possess.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? *

After meeting the other candidates, I truly believe all of us have value to add to the Board. What differentiates me are three key points:

A. I am an experienced school board member. I have served on the NKEC Board (Cambridge Lakes Charter School) for the past four years. I am fully aware of the expectations, roles, and responsibilities of a productive board member. As a member of that Board, I have the reputation of being outspoken, dedicated, and collaborative.

B. I am a parent of two children who attend D300 schools and they will for the next six years. I feel that having the knowledge of my own parent perspective, as well as consistently garnering that of others, would be a great benefit.

C. I have a long history of being actively engaged in the community. I have spent years invested in the Jaycees, business-networking groups, Girl Scouts (former leader), local committees, and most recently, the D300 Food Pantry (currently hold leadership position). Additionally, as a former business owner and now a self-employed grant writer, the importance of nurturing a variety of collaborative relationships to benefit the greater good is ingrained in who I am and everything I do.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?: I don’t believe that they have “failed the community” in any way. That said, there are always ways to integrate new ideas, fresh perspective, and renewed passion and energy --- all items that I would bring to the Board.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: There are many important and relevant issues involved in the realm of education. To say that my campaign is defined by any one (or several) in particular, to me, would be short-sighted and lacking long-term vision. Yes, there are specific items that I am personally and particularly passionate about. However, as a board member, it should not be our intention to single-mindedly represent our own interests or agendas.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?: Again, I don’t have one specific accomplishment that will make me, personally, a success or a failure in this role. The role of a school board member is much larger than that and entails a much wider scope than zeroing in on one pet cause or goal. I would be successful in this role if my constituents appreciate my work because they feel adequately represented and heard. I would be successful in this role if my fellow board members both respect and revere me as someone who participates openly and honestly in dialogue, discussion, and debate. Most importantly, I know I would be successful in this role because I will maintain the high level of integrity, dedication, and commitment which has embodied various roles in my life including my current role as an NKEC Board Member (Cambridge Lakes Charter School).

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career: Well…I’m no spring chicken so I have plenty of these! The most recent one entails something I learned in my last professional role as a Lifestyle Director at an active adult community. In this role, I learned so much about this generation of folks and still have maintained some invaluable relationships that began there. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing! Especially in the beginning, I learned through multiple mistakes and missteps that many of my assumptions about this age group were incredibly wrong. To best summarize the wisdom, I learned firsthand that when approaching a new endeavor, it is vital to go in with a learning and openly-novice state of mind. It’s not that you can’t be confident in your skills and abilities or that you can’t hit the ground running with your ideas and intentions. It’s just that you need to stop, be still, and LEARN first.

Why should voters trust you?: This is an interesting question. Admittedly, most voters do not know me personally or even have heard my name before now. In that situation, I believe the only thing voters can do is read surveys like this (there have been many that have or will be published), research candidates in other ways available (Google, social media, etc…), and talk to other constituents to get a feel for their thoughts and experiences regarding candidates. Through all of this, voters have to make a decision based upon their faith in their candidate selections. What helps me specifically is, as I’ve mentioned, I am currently a board member with a specific track record and reputation. I have two children attending a D300 school so I am relatively known in my community. I am a former small business owner, so I have numerous associations with fellow professionals throughout our area. I am a long-time community activist who has been involved in various organizations (Jaycees, Girl Scouts, Events Committee, and most recently, the D300 Food Pantry where I hold a leadership position as Volunteer Coordinator). Taking all of that into consideration, I believe voters can be confident that I am dedicated to our overall community and constantly working in their best interest.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy: There are sooo many (I’m a quote-a-holic). My very favorite: “Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you’ve imagined.” (Thoreau)

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?: The only employee wholly accountable to the School Board is the Superintendent. That said, I am very pleased with the work done by our current Superintendent, Fred Heid. Through his dedication and vision, I believe that our district has blazed some trails, slayed some dragons, and continues to be on the forefront of so many things involving education and school administration. Of course, Mr. Heid also has an extremely talented group of administrators working with him on these conquests. As a district, I believe we are very fortunate to have the talented and committed staff of administrators that we do. On the upside for this question, I think this group actually appreciates and even welcomes questions, feedback, and input from everyone – BOE, employees, students, and all constituents.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?: Even taking into consideration the possibility of several looming pitfalls that could negatively impact the budget and funding in general (tax freeze, TIFs, TRS tax shift), the D300 budget is solid and contains components (increased reserve, modest surplus) that will ultimately protect our students from being adversely affected. The best thing our school district can do is to stay on a rigid path of fiscal responsibility, stretching and utilizing our dollars to the best of our abilities to benefit the 21,000 students we serve. With anything concerning district finances, I feel that it is the role of a Board member to commit to understanding, ask questions, and then be able to vote responsibly and knowledgeably. For instance, to prepare myself for the possibility of being on the Board, I have attended the last several months of Board Finance Committee meetings.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?:

• Mother of a teenage daughter and a tween son J -- I always say that motherhood is my toughest gig!
• Current school board member (4 years)
• Seasoned professional with years of experience in communications, human resources, and project management
• Small Business Owner (2 – both successful!)
• Successful community activist in many realms including event planning, fundraising, and volunteer recruitment

The best advice ever shared with me was ...: I am a blessed woman as I have been the beneficiary of some really wonderful advice stemming from cherished relationships with numerous amazing people. I have to say that the best advice came from my Mom. Sadly, I lost her suddenly last July but her words still guide me daily. “You are never going to make everyone happy all of the time. But always stay true to who are and do the best you can.” Simple, but true.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?:

MY MISSION STATEMENT:

To continue the positive and progressive momentum of our school district by keeping the focus on fiscal responsibility, assuring all students’ needs are met, and leveraging the ideas and input gained from productive collaboration among administration, the Board, faculty, parents, students, and the community at large.

I think this survey covered a large gamut of topics. As a candidate, I have completed multiple questionnaires and surveys that can give anyone further insight. Links to those can be found on my Facebook page. I am also open to one-on-one dialogue and have provided my e-mail and cell number above.

More via the Leslie LaMarca campaign Facebook page