Kari Altpeter: Candidate Profile

Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioKey IssuesQA Bio City: LisleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Lisle Unit D202Age: 43Family: married, 2 childrenOccupation: Sr. Closer/AuditorEducation: College of DupageNorthern Illinois UniversityCivic involvement: Partners for Parks Foundation - Vice-President of the Board of Directors.LEHSO - School Board Liason Director/Volunteer Chairman Eyes to the Skies FoundationLisle Education Foundation - School Board Liason (2008,2009)Lisle Women's ClubGirl Scout Leader - (2003 - 2010)Lisle Heritage Society, current member, past Chairman V-P of Membership, Depot Days and Once Upon a ChristmasDupage County Senior Citizens Council Meal on Wheels Volunteer - (1997 - 2009)Treasurer of Residents for Sea Lion Aquatic Park Member of the LEHSO -since 2000, including Chairman of the Clothing Sale, wrapping paper sale,Member of Citizens for Educational Excellence 2004Schiesher Advisory Council (2003-2005)Jr. Great Books facilitator (2003-2009)Lisle CUSD#202 Board of Education - (2007 -present) - Secretary (2009 to present) - member of the Finance Committee (2007 - present) - member of the Policy Committee (2009 - present)Elected offices held: Lisle CUSD #202 School BoardHave you ever been arrested for or convicted of a crime? If yes, please explain: NOCandidate's Key Issues Key Issue 1 It is important that we continue to maintain fiscal responsibility in Lisle District #202.Key Issue 2 We need to keep constantly updating curriculum to meet the needs of all of the students in Lisle District #202 to ensure that every student achieves to their highest potential.Key Issue 3 We must also continue to meet the increasingly stringent federal and state demands on our district, while still promoting a positive social emotional learning environment for the students of Lisle District #202Questions Answers How satisfied are you that your district is preparing students for the next stage in their lives, whether it be from elementary into high school or high school into college or full-time employment? What changes, if any, do you think need to be made?I am very satisfied that Lisle District #202 is actively engaged in preparing each and every student for the next stage of their careers as life long learners. Through the implementation of district wide planned learning communities, collaberation of teachers and administrators across the district and new testing strategies, each child in Lisle District #202 is constantly being evaluated and challenged. Through this colaborative model and given the fact that we are a small district, the teachers and admistrators are able to tailor learning plans to individual students.What budget issues will the district have to confront? What measures do you support to address them? If cuts are needed, be specific about programs and expenses that should be reduced or eliminated. Do you support any tax increases for local schools?If CPI continues to be close to 0, while transportation, safety, educational and facilities costs continue to rise, even though we have been fiscally responsible, we will face challenges controlling expenses while we try to increase the programming that we offer to our students.Is experience as a teacher or support from a union valuable because it suggests educational insights or detrimental because it creates pro-teacher bias? Please clarify whether you have such experience or would accept union support.I am not a teacher and I do not have union support.As contract talks come up with various employee groups, what posture should the board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?Our teachers and administrators this year accepted a one year pay freeze. We are all concerned about being fiscally prudent with district tax dollars. The recent contract negotiation terms that were reached showed the commitment of all parties to continue to keep our district fiscally sound.If your district had a superintendent or other administrator nearing retirement, would you support a substantial increase in his or her pay to help boost pension benefits? Why or why not?I would not support a substantial increase towards a pension that would be offered with the sole intention of boosting a pension benefit from the state. It would not be fiscally responsible.