2017 Election Questionnaire: Lara Kristofer, D303 School Board

Name: Lara Kristofer

Age: 39

Town of residence: St. Charles

Position sought: D303 School Board Member

Family:

My husband Jon and I have been married for 10 years. He teaches art at Geneva Middle School South. We have four wonderful children: Enzo (8), Toni (6), Gianni (4), and Charlie (2). We also welcomed Axel, a rescued Rottweiler/Hound mix into our family in September of 2016!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?: No

Education:

2000 - Bachelor of Science, Psychology, Loyola University Chicago
2003 - Master of Science, Clinical Psychology, Roosevelt University
2005 - Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education, National Louis University

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it: The decision to close Haines Middle School and upgrade Thompson and Wredling will have a direct impact on our community and many of our D303 students and families. There are many people involved in overseeing the construction projects including district level administrators and architects, as well as an outside project manager. Keeping student safety at the forefront of all decisions is the top priority in moving forward. As a School Board member, I would make an effort to understand each stage of the construction process. Staying informed would allow me to answer questions and proactively address any potential concerns that could arise. To make the transition as smooth as possible, board members and administrators need to acknowledge any lingering concerns and provide ample support to all of the individuals who will be affected by the changes.

I am a stay at home mom of 4 with 2 master’s degrees. Right now, my children are my top priority in life. I am not competing with the demands of a career, and this is the perfect opportunity for me to become more involved in our community and give something back to the district my family has the greatest respect for. I would love the opportunity to utilize my professional background and parental perspective in a way that would allow me to develop relationships with community members and have a positive impact on the education our D303 students receive.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

• Working with the Superintendent to be sure we are implementing programs and utilizing curriculum that will enhance the learning experiences of all students.
• Making judicious decisions to honor our fiscal responsibility to taxpayers.
• Building rapport with students, parents, and staff members by visiting buildings and observing and participating in district wide events.
• Learning what is important to the people in our community and considering multiple perspectives when making decisions.
• Working with the D303 administration team to enrich the quality of communication district officials have with the public.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?: If my contributions allow the School Board to achieve great results for students and do so in a way that leaves others feeling heard, respected, and cared about, I would say my role on the board has been a successful one. There will always be difficult decisions and differing opinions, but when all is said and done, have I made others feel like their individual concerns were validated? Ron Kaufman said, “Greatness is not how you feel, it’s how you make others feel.” The role of a School Board member is more than making decisions. It is holding oneself accountable for the impact these outcomes have on students, families, and staff members. What matters is how we go about discussing these ideas, what evidence we are basing our decisions on, how much respect is given to the people who are affected, and what solutions are identified to remedy the problems we face. To be a successful board member it is important to take all of these things into consideration.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career: In 6th grade, my best friend and I made the decision to try out for the basketball team at our Junior High School. On the first day of tryouts, I panicked and left. I remember going home that night and being mad at myself for letting my fear get the best of me. The next day, I went into the gym after school, and the basketball coach turned me away. He explained I was too late. This experience has stayed with me even as an adult. At the time, I was disappointed that my efforts were limited by my fears. In making the decision to run for School Board, I had the same dilemma. I knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but I no longer let fear limit my potential and define the experiences I have in life. Regardless of what happens with the election, I want my kids to learn now what I learned in 6th grade; the only failure in life is not trying.

Why should voters trust you?:

• I have 4 young children, and I am inspired to run for school board to ensure we make decisions and employ practices that are in the best interests of all D303 students.
• I have spent the past 18 months attending school board meetings which shows my commitment to this process and illustrates I have a solid understanding of where we are coming from and where we are headed.
• I live my life with integrity and am always willing to put in the effort that is necessary to move forward in a way that is both mindful and productive.
• I have experience working in environments that have required me to adhere to strict confidentiality guidelines. If elected, I would apply these principles in all of my communications with the public to protect the sensitive information school board members are privy to.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy:

I'm torn between two.

1. "Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground." Theodore Roosevelt

2. "The clash of ideas is the sound of freedom." Lady Bird Johnson

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?:

• What decisions are being considered or made at the state level that could have an impact on our district's finances?
• How can we improve the quality of communication we have with the public?

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: With two master’s degrees, one in Clinical Psychology and the other in Elementary Education, I would bring an informed and relevant perspective to the board. I am a caring and empathic listener with strong critical thinking skills. Having this professional background has prepared me to step into the role of school board member ready to discuss and consider decisions that are in the best interests of our students. I have a history of attending board meetings on a regular basis, and I embrace my many volunteer roles in the community. I am currently serving as Vice President of the Lincoln School PTO, I teach 2nd grade Religious Education and also participate in multiple ministries at St. Patrick Parish. I took part in the 1st Annual Campton Hills Citizen's Police Academy course last winter to expand my knowledge and gain a new perspective on the challenges we are facing in our community. I live a busy and active life; I embrace education and volunteerism, yet I still find the time teach my children how to read, count, and be kind.

The best advice ever shared with me was: Have wisdom in your actions and faith in your merits.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: My goal in being elected is to come into the position, not with a set agenda, but with an open mind and a positive outlook. I embrace creative and collaborative methods of problem solving. I believe the will of the community should drive the direction the school board members take when making decisions. Therefore, as a school board member, I would welcome the feedback and perspective of all stakeholders and always keep the needs of students at the forefront.

More via Lara Kristofer's website