Jennifer Hindel, District 157-C Board Of Education Candidate

FRANKFORT, IL — Jennifer Hindel is a candidate for Frankfort District 157-C Board of Education. There are nine candidates running for four open positions in this race.

The consolidated election is April 4.

Hindel's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire can be found below:

Your name:

Jennifer Hindel

Age (as of election day):

48

Town/city of residence:

Frankfort

School district:

Frankfort School District 157c

Family:

My husband Jeff and I have been married for 18 years. Both of our children go to 157c schools - my son attends Hickory Creek Middle School, and my daughter attends Chelsea Intermediate School. We have lived in downtown Frankfort for nine years, and we love our school district and community! I am originally from Orland Park and have previously lived in Frankfort.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

I have worked in local government service for 27 years. My mother is a retired elementary school principal.

Education:

BS, Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (1995); Illinois Licensed Professional Engineer (2000)

Occupation:

27 years total. Sanitary (Wastewater Treatment) District Executive Director for unit of local government - 15 years. Sanitary District Engineer - 5 years. Private consulting engineer for municipal wastewater treatment plant design - 7 years.

Campaign website or Facebook*

https://www.facebook.com/profi... (Jennifer Ladendorf Hindel for Frankfort 157c)

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Member of Village of Frankfort Operations Committee, 6 years; Past President, Illinois Association of Wastewater Agencies

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

Our District is performing well, which benefits the community and taxpayers overall. Parents with higher-performing children get excellent value. Still, we must fully honor our duty to every child, including the student who seems to be inexplicably struggling … the Special Education student… the student who didn’t “make the team”… and others. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, children’s social, emotional and academic challenges have been greater than ever.

The Board of Education must enable a top-to-bottom culture that prioritizes identifying and supporting all students’ needs. This includes requiring administration to implement an effective system that actively solicits and addresses relevant concerns from teachers and parents. The Board can underpin this mindset during budgeting, by 1) directing administration to prepare a ground-up assessment of student social, emotional and academic resource needs, then 2) challenging administration to prepare and justify an efficient budget that meets those needs. Connecting budgeting and needs in this manner will enable the District to control costs, while also fulfilling its core duty. As a board member, I will be an advocate for this approach, and a voice for all students.

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

My experience and perspective are uniquely valuable. I have served for fifteen years as chief executive manager of an award-winning, low-cost local unit of government serving 100,000 people. As a civil engineer of 27 years, I have also collaboratively and efficiently solved real-world problems that affect thousands of people - at times with incomplete information, less than ideal resources and varying stakeholder viewpoints.

As a mom, I have been an engaged District parent on a variety of issues for the last eight years, because nothing is more important to me than my family. Putting this combination to work will give our District added valuable governance and problem-solving insight, from a fresh viewpoint, as we move into the future.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Curriculum is a perennial concern. The common core math approach seems problematic, though it is understood that the State currently limits options for substantially adjusting it. Also, in talking with our community, several parents and educators specifically questioned the effectiveness of the current reading/ELA curriculum. This is especially concerning, as reading is the backbone of so many life skills… besides being a potential source of lifelong joy and fulfillment. As a board member, I would further research the current curriculum structure and approach and request input from the community, then seek feedback from administration regarding issues and potential improvements.

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

My relevant accomplishments and experience lie at various levels of government. I understand the conduct, capability and mindset required of an effective and judicious board member, and know what effective administration looks like. I have experienced the positive impact that public input can have on local government operation. I understand local and state government structure, and their systems of rules and codes. On behalf of my own government agency, and on behalf of agency consortiums, I have successfully advocated to state and federal agencies on multiple occasions regarding regulatory issues. Finally, I have assisted the Village of Frankfort via its Operations Committee, including helping to save millions of dollars by advocating use of an IEPA loan, instead of a bond issue, for the Village’s $60 million wastewater infrastructure improvements. I have shown that I can implement a vision of governance that is both high-performing and efficient.

Why should voters trust you?

I believe that my professional experience, and participation in our local community, speaks to my trustworthiness.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

As explained above, I would like to help the District continue its general academic and financial successes, while 1) ensuring that all students with any level or type of disability or challenge are properly identified, and 2) ensuring that all students and staff are properly resourced and supported.

Should future public emergencies occur similar to Covid-19, I would prioritize our students’ emotional and social health alongside their physical health. I would also contribute to Board discussion real-world ideas and insights in order to explore non-litigious ways to effectively engage regulatory entities, to help protect our students’ best interests.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I believe a capable and competent administration, under the watchful eye of a vigilant Board of Education, is the key to a school district operating efficiently while serving all students.

What are your thoughts on how the district has handled the COVID-19 pandemic?

The District appeared to generally respond well, given the fact that the State operated with a very heavy hand (and possibly exceeded its authority) for an extended period. In-person schooling was resumed relatively quickly, for which I thank the current board.

Last spring, I was pleased that a majority of the District board voted to finally make student masking optional. However, it should be respectfully noted that two board members, who are currently running for re-election, opposed the measure and voted on the record to continue mandatory student masking at that time.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some school boards saw extremely heated disagreements during public meetings. If elected, what changes, if any, need to be made to ensure meetings are run efficiently while still allowing open discussions?

During pandemic-era board meetings, I observed that while members of the public at times expressed firm opinions during public comment, no one appeared to be disruptive.

How do you feel about sex education being taught in school? Should an LGBTQ component be included, and why or why not?

I support the District’s current utilization of the Candor program for older elementary-aged students, and support the existing District policy of allowing parents to opt their child out of participation in the program.

What are your views on critical race theory and whether it should be taught in the district?

I support the rights of Americans to embrace sociopolitical ideologies of their choosing, and to teach it to their own children.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

To my knowledge, yes.

When it comes to student achievement, what are schools within this district doing well and what needs to be improved? How can those improvements be made?

Please see previous answers above.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

'Let me live in the house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.'