Lori Linkimer: 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: St. CharlesWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: St. Charles Unit District 303 School Board Age: 59Family: Husband Mike 3 adult children 4 grandchildrenOccupation: Managing Broker-Berkshire Hathaway Starck Real EstateEducation: BA-Augustana College 1977-elem. education MA-Roosevelt University-1985 Educational Administration and SupervisionCivic involvement: Member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church, St.Charles Member and President Elect of St. Charles Noon Kiwanis Club Past member of CUSD 303 Board of Education-two terms Member-Real Estate Asscociation of the Fox Valley, Co-Chairman of the Education Committee Member-Main Street Organization of Realtors Member-Illinois Association of Realtors Member-National Association of RealtorsElected offices held: D-303 School Board-two termsQuestions 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?It is important to remember that the responsibility of preparing students for the next phase of life lies both within the home and the school. It is a dual responsibility. Parents and educators need to work together, side by side, to encourage the love of learning. To check for preparedness when leaving high school, I would suggest always following up on the placement testing going on at the junior college level. Tracking students bound for four year institutions-college success rate and GPA- would also be helpful.The results would be a tremendous indicator. Testing results within all grade levels need to be monitored for trends to check for deficiencies in curriculum design. With the curriculum being aligned across the entire district, all students should be receiving the same opportunities for educational advancement. Each student deserves and requires a curriculum presented to them in such a way that they may learn-this necessitates students's various learning styles being recognized and leveraged within the classroom.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.I believe that decreasing enrollment within the D 303 boundaries will be an issue that the board and the community will have to work through during the next 5-10 years. In studying the number of home sales in the communities which feed the district, there seems to be over a 10% decrease in such sales during the last decade. Fewer children means fewer full classrooms, which means fewer schools necessary to educate our students. Which schools should be closed? Are there schools which can be used for alternative programs within the district? Should we consider grade level centers? Should we manipulate the current elementary school exit year (grade 5) or the current middle school year (grade 8)? The budget will certainly be effected by diminishing enrollments-pupil expenditure as a whole will go down, and if fewer buildings are in the mix, district-wide operating expenses will go down. If facilities need to be retooled or changed over to accommodate special programming, expenses to do so would need to be investigated and carefully monitored.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 retired from teaching in 1998. During my 21 years as an educator, I worked in three districts in Dupage County and finished my career in a private Christian school in Geneva, Illinois. My undergraduate degree is in elementary education and my graduate degree is in Educational Administration and Supervision. I have a daughter and a son-in -law who currently work in District 303. I come from a long line of educators, and continue to teach real estate brokers in my present position as the managing broker of a real estate office.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 school board and all employee groups need to work together in all situations for a win-win outcome. That is always in the best interest of the taxpayers and children of the district. Cooperation, rather than ultimatums and lines in the sand, involves everyone in the success of the district, both from a financial perspective as well as an educational one. Parents, staff and children are all on the same team as we endeavor to educate the next generation. There is no place for hostility-only honest conversation and at times,respectful disagreement.Coming to the table with an open mind and a cooperative spirit is a must for all.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 believe that a substantial increase in pay to boost pension benefits is in the best interest of the district.All of us need to learn to live within our means, while planning for our retirement. Folks in my generation see that horizon clearly-we see that it is time to either reinvent ourselves or change our focus. With careful planning and an eye on our own investments, we can prepare for less earning potential, while not effecting our current employers financial health.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?I am a bit of a hybrid-retired educator, experienced school board member, local service group member, parent, grand parent, taxpayer and a negotiator by trade. I recognize the importance of diversity within the community, while acknowledging that cooperation and mutual understanding coupled with the theme of "common ground" needs to always be the goal. We have to all work together to care for and educate the next generation-there is no room for participation in the process that is aimed toward vendettas or paybacks. Everyone has to feel a sense of pride and accomplishment-everyone needs to be involved in the win-win for our children. Decisions must not reflect the wishes of a a handful-rather, decisions must be made which are inclusive and broad. I am always game for discussion-I enjoy hearing various perspectives. I am organized, reasonable, driven and certainly not afraid to speak my mind. I understand the role of a "board member" and I enjoy the investigative side of membership-committee work, synthesizing the latest research, analyzing data, and assuming the responsibility for decisions that are made at the board level.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Warren Buffett inspires me because of his ability to always plan successfully for what is just around the next corner.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?I learned to joyfully take care of those who needed my help, while still completing any personal task that was before me.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I would have paid closer attention to the details of my grandparents and parents lives when they were telling their individual histories.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Speech was my favorite subject-it taught me to organize my thoughts and voice my opinions and concerns.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Live your life with these three things always in mind-faith, family and service.