Kris Hoult: Candidate Profile

Back to Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 School Board

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: LibertyvilleWebsite: Candidate did not respond.Twitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 School Board Age: 55Family: Laura Brown Hoult - spouse. Owner GreenTree Animal Hospital, Libertyville. Married 28 yearsSara Hoult - daughter. Sophomore, University of Illinois. LHS graduateClare Hoult - daughter. Junior at LHSOccupation: Director, Human ResourcesEducation: MBA, DePaul UniversityBS, Agriculture, University of IllinoisCivic involvement: Board Member, Libertyville Lady Cats Feeder BasketballElected offices held: Candidate did not respond.Questions Answers There's been a lot of talk over the past year in District 128 about school spending and high taxes. Are budget cuts needed? If so, where would you cut and why?I think it is a bit short sighted and unfair as a potential incoming (non incumbent)to suggest specific budget cuts without the benefit of discussion and deliberation with the full board. The board, as good stewards of the students and community are obligated to provide learning environment that fosters high performance. In order to maintain the high level of performance that exist at both LHS and VHHS, it is important to spend money on programs that provide a rich mix of academic diversity and extracurriculars that allow students to excel. I do believe in good fiscal discipline, and would expect the board to regularly evaluate all spending categories and determine if there are opportunities to adjust spending. If elected, I will not enter into the term with an agenda of across the board budget cuts without thorough review.Do you support proposals to build a new pool at LHS or the now-shelved plan for a second gym at VHHS? Why or why not?Yes, regarding the LHS pool. Upgrade/replacement of the pool and facilities were long overdue. I do not have enough detail to comment on the second gym at VHHS.What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?I think it is more than adequate. Over the past 10 years, participation in AP exams has increase significantly, and achievement at levels 3, 4, and 5 have also increased. ACT scores have consistently increased and are easily outperform the state averages. LHS and VHHS students are accepted and attend some the of the most competitive and high quality colleges in the country, pursuing a wide range of diverse academic plans of study. What I think would be interesting is to track the college graduation rates among district students and how they compare to national averages.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?Current proposals regarding the state budget point to a possible two year freeze on property taxes. For district 128, this amounts to about $4MM less in tax revenue. Additionally, it is expected that pension funding will shift to district level. These two proposals alone will present challenges to the board in ensuring we can deliver the same high quality programs the students enjoy today. As stated in a prior question, I cannot provide a logical, fact based opinion on specific budget cuts, or join the board with a perquisite mindset that broad based budget cuts need to occur. I am a taxpayer too, and am not a fan of tax increases. I would be open to look at opportunities where increases in certain fees could enhance revenue.What role can and should school choice play in your district? If Congress or the state approves a voucher system or other means giving students broader choices among public and private schools, how will that affect your district? What is the appropriate response for the board of education of a public school system?As a candidate for the board of a public school district, I would not be an enthusiastic supporter of a voucher program that would impact district funding. District 128 should continue to provide a learning environment that continues to demonstrate high performance among area school. If that continues, and I don't see why it will not, LHS and VHHS will be good choices. Last, I don't believe there is conclusive evidence that voucher programs enhance student achievement, and where there are such programs, in many cases, public school students outperform voucher students.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?It is important to me District 128 continues to maintain high standards in providing a safe and productive environment where students can thrive through educational opportunities and resources that will prepare them for their chosen vocationPlease name one current leader who most inspires you.Joe Maddon. After 108 years, how can you not be inspired by that. Theo Epstein - close secondWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Hard work, good character, and discipline are foundational to successIf life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I don't look back. I live in the present and look to what is possible tomorrowWhat was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. Not sure how much it has helped in life, but I liked it. Possibly gives me perspective on the current world.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Hard work, good character, and discipline are foundational to success