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Lisa Lullo: Candidate Profile

DuPage High School District 88 School Board (4-year Terms

Back to DuPage High School District 88 School Board (4-year Terms

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: AddisonWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: DuPage High School District 88 School Board (4-year Terms Age: Candidate did not respond.Family: Married mother of 4Occupation: Records Supervisor for a local municipal police departmentEducation: Graduate of Addison Trail High School Associate's Degree in Business Management from Benedictine UniversityCivic involvement: DuPage 88 Board Member District 88 Foundation MemberElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions 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?I think the District is more than adequately preparing our students. It has always been the mission of the district to ensure each child is prepared to meet the challenges of future endeavors. By providing greater access to AP courses and increased rigor students have the skills to meet the demands of a college curriculum. Technical course offerings allow students to pursue opportunities other than a traditional four year college path. Access to 21st century technology ensures all students will compete and succeed in the global community. Providing essential support programming for at risk students allows the opportunity for success beyond high school. Providing athletic and extra curricular programming allows students to explore and excel in other arenas. Creating and encouraging opportunities for community service. Creating and fostering a climate of inclusion and acceptance with a diverse student body. The practices and strategies employed by District 88 ensures all students have opportunities for success no matter the path after high school.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 economic climate of the last several years have challenged the district. The lower than expected CPI-U, Senate Bill 1 and the possible pension cost shift will all present challenges to future budgets. The goal of the District is and always should be to provide a high quality education to all student while still being fiscally responsible to the taxpayer. The District approaches the challenge by employing methods that minimally impact the classroom and students. Budgeting strategies that include pursuing grant funding, participating in compacts for utilities and other purchased services and working with the bargaining units to tie increases to CPI has ensured the District has remained financially stable.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?I am not a current or retired school employee and neither is any member of my family.As 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 District recognized the need to work with the bargaining units in order to negotiating contracts that would retain and draw the best employees while remaining fiscally responsible. The District has successfully negotiated with most of the bargaining units to tie increases to the CPI.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?No. I do not think it is appropriate to artificially inflate a pension. Increases should be reflective of performance.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?The most important issue is preparing students for life after high school no matter what the path is. It is our responsibility to provide a safe and nurturing learning environment, employ high quality educators, and provide student with the knowledge, skills and experiences to ensure success.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Several inspire me on a daily basis.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Educate yourself and pay attention.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would not do anything different. I like the way my life has turned out.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?English Lit. I love to read. It is my favorite thing to do.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Be kind and extend a hand to someone who needs it.