Lauren Potokar, North Palos Dist. 117 School Board Candidate

PALOS HILLS, IL — Lauren Potokar was appointed to a board vacancy in 2021 and is running for her first term on the North Palos School Dist. 117 school board. There are seven candidates running for five open positions in this race.

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The consolidated election is April 4.

Read Potokar's answers to the questions below:

Your name: Lauren Potokar

Age (as of election day): 41

Town/city of residence: Hickory Hills

School district: North Palos District 117

Family: I have lived in Hickory Hills with my husband Bil for nearly 15 years. We have 10-year-
old twin boys, Luke and Jake. They are fourth graders at Glen Oaks School.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? If yes, please explain. No

Education: Stagg High School, Moraine Valley Community College and Capri Beauty College.

Occupation: I am a salon owner and have been a cosmetologist for over 20 years.

Previous or current elected or appointed office: I am currently serving on the North Palos School Board. I was appointed in 2021.

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

The most pressing issue facing our board/district will be appointing a new
superintendent after Dr. Jeannie Stachowiak retires. Another very important issue for
the board/district will be implementing Full Day kindergarten. We must have an
experienced and knowledgeable board in place to tackle these important issues.

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

I have served on the board for almost 2 years, and my children have been attending
school in the district since preschool. I am the PTA President at Glen Oaks and have
been involved in the PTA for years. I have a great understanding of day-to-day
operations in the schools, and I am committed to ensuring that our students and staff
have all the resources and support they deserve.

I am dedicated to this position and to the children and families of District117. I would love nothing more than to be re-elected and to devote my freetime to this district. I want to continue to make this District 117 the bestplace for our children (including my own). My heart attends school thereevery day and all I want to do is protect and provide for these children.PLEASE SELECT LAUREN POTOKAR when you go to vote on April 4th!And let’s make every day great for our children. THEY DESERVE IT!!!

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

I have been a part of the PTA in the district for the past six years. I was PTA President
for Dorn School, and I am the current PTA President at Glen Oaks. I was awarded the
Illinois State Board of Education Award for People Who Excel for my service and
contributions to the District in 2020.

In November 2021, I applied for a vacant position on the Board. I was interviewed and
appointed by the Board to fill the vacant position.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I have an excellent understanding of what happens in
our schools. I am a proud parent of 4th-grade twin boys. Luke and Jake have attended
District 117 schools since preschool. It’s my mission to make sure every child gets the
education they deserve.

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

If I am elected to this position, the accomplishment that would make my term a success
would be having District 117 offer full-day kindergarten. My children would have thrived
in a full-day environment for Kindergarten. Implementing a full-day kindergarten would
be very beneficial to the children of District 117 and would make the great education
children get in our district, even better.

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

I believe it is our duty to handle taxpayer dollars with the utmost care and responsibility.
Our board is trustworthy and respectful and always keeps the goal of providing our
children with the best education in mind when it comes to financial decisions. The
board’s focus is to provide our students with the best staff, make sure they have all the
tools they need for success, and create an extremely safe environment where they can
learn and thrive.

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

I was appointed to my seat during the pandemic. I took my position in the midst of all
these difficult decisions and the majority of those decisions were made by the state. The
decisions made by our district had our children, staff, and families' best interests in
mind. Many other schools in other districts did not provide the options that were
provided to our community. I am glad that is all behind us.

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?

When I joined the Board, we were in the midst of the pandemic. At the Board meetings I
was a part of, there were multiple opportunities for community members to participate,
allowing all to have equal time to talk. We always make sure that the appropriate board
member follows up with the community member who raised concerns/questions.
Showing respect and answering respectfully is the only way to achieve real progress.
Keeping our children’s best interest is always first,

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?

Our student’s achievements are amazing, and making sure we continue to support our
schools and teachers is a top priority. We must continue to provide everything our children need to grow and thrive. We must always be aware of changing needs and need to be sure we are changing and improving as needed.

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: It's never too late to make a change.