Lisa Yaffe: Candidate Profile

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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:BioQA Bio City: MundeleinWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Diamond Lake District 76 School Board Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Husband, 5th and 3rd graders in D76Occupation: HR Consultant/Leadership CoachEducation: BS Business - Indiana University MBA - Southern Methodist University Master of Liberal Arts - University of ChicagoCivic involvement: District 76 Board of Education Boy Scouts of America AYSOElected offices held: President, District 76 Board of EducationQuestions Answers How satisfied are you that your school district is adequately 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?Research shows that the single most important factor in education is the quality of teaching. This Board has worked hard to sponsor teacher skill development. We have made tremendous strides in implementing educational best practices to ensure our teachers are trained to meet the needs of all of our student populations. We have also invested in curriculum, technology, and support for struggling students and those with special educational needs. Recent assessments and standardized tests are demonstrating student academic growth, especially at Diamond Lake School (grades 2-4) where we had not been meeting standards and were accountable to the State to "restructure" due to failing performance. Looking forward, we need to reinforce our skills and practices to ensure a continued return on the investments we've made. We need to ensure we are creating a core competency in English Language Learning (ELL) education. We have come a long way, are on the right path, and are serving students increasingly well. It is my desire that we leave a legacy where our students, their families, and our community all benefit from our small but powerful district where the children come to learn in a healthy environment, where the teachers are devoted to excellence and gratified in their work and professional growth, and where we value diversity inclusion and the Arts.What budgetary issues will your district have to confront during the next four years and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, be specific about programs and expenses that should be considered for reduction or elimination. On the income side, do you support any tax increases for local schools? Again, be specific.The Board and Administration have done a very good job of assessing needs and redirecting funds to high value investments such as professional development for classroom instruction and bringing technology to the classroom. The next major financial challenge will be how to fund required facilities investments. Two of our buildings that are inefficient, in need of repair, and don't meet the educational needs of our children. We will need to be creative in our use of our physical assets in order to ensure we are spending taxpayer money on excellent teaching and programs rather than roofs and boilers.Are you currently employed by or retired from a school district, if so, which one? Is any member of your direct family - spouse, child or child-in-law - employed by the school district where you are seeking a school board seat?NoAs contract talks come up with various school employee groups -- teachers, support staff, etc. -- what posture should the school board take? Do you believe the district should ask for concessions from its employees, expect employee costs to stay about the same as they are now or provide increases in pay or benefits?The School Board and the employee groups should both conduct research to understand the prevailing market rates. The School Board should strive to pay a fair rate. They should have a very good handle on the district cost structure in order to ensure they are making responsible decisions. All parties need to recognize tradeoffs will be required. Current trends suggest slow revenue increases, increases in compensation, decreases in benefits, and increases in class size.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 believe there are now limits in place on this. It is how the system has been working for administrators and teachers for some time. I would like to see it phased out as part of larger reform that is fair to all employees and does not require "working the system" for appropriate retirement income. We must figure out a way to pay teachers for their credentials and the valuable role they play in our society in a way that allows them to live and retire well.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Our Boy Scout Chairman - his generosity of time and inclusion of all remind me that touching lives and communities is served best locally.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Everybody has to do chores! Families (and teams) are interdependent and require everyone's talents and effort.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have had more appreciation for physical fitness, health, and well being growing up.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Our district had a planetarium! It was so exciting. I believe it set me up for a lifetime of loving learning.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Use a development mindset rather than a performance one - life is best assessed with a wide lens rather than a microscope.