District 128 candidates explain why they're running

The five candidates seeking seats on the Libertyville-Vernon Hills Area High School District 128 board have a wide range of experience and different motives for running.

Four seats, all with 4-year terms, will be decided in the April 7 election.

Two candidates, Patrick Groody and Ellen Mauer, are incumbent board members. Two others, Karin C. Lundstedt and Stephen B. Arthur, are political newcomers. A fifth candidate, Ann E. Oakley, now serves on the Cook Memorial Public Library board and is simultaneously seeking re-election to that panel.

All five candidates live in Libertyville. They've spoken about their qualifications and other issues in questionnaires for the Daily Herald and in follow-up interviews.

Arthur, a manager at Abbott Laboratories, said he's running, in part, because he has four children and a vested interest in the quality of education at the district's two schools.

He's also concerned the public is not involved in the board's decision-making process.

Groody, who also works at Abbott, said he's "thoroughly enjoyed" serving on the board since 2005.

"We are fortunate to have two schools with very bright, very motivated and very capable kids," he said. "Our job is to work with the school administration and faculty in order to continue to develop programs that inspire our kids to achieve their fullest potential."

Additionally, board members need to be good financial stewards during the current economic crisis, he said.

Lundstedt is making her first bid for public office. She said she wants to help continue both schools' reputation for excellence.

As a District 128 volunteer, Lundstedt said she's interacted with students, teachers, administrators, parents and board members through the years.

"I believe my experience brings a needed perspective to decisions being made at the district level," she said.

Mauer has been a board member since 2005 but has other educational experience. She's a veteran school administrator who recently was hired as Millburn Elementary District 24's superintendent, a job she'll assume this summer.

She considers her professional experience an asset to the District 128 board.

"There does not need to be a lot of time spent training for the role and learning about the district, so I can spend more time focusing on the issues at hand," Mauer said. "My main priority will be to work collaboratively with fellow board members and do what is best for students in all avenues while still keeping an eye on the fiduciary responsibilities we have to the taxpayers."

Oakley is making her first bid for the school board. She was elected to the library board in 2005.

She feels her experience serving patrons of the Cook Memorial district, which overlaps with District 128, has prepared her for a school board post.

"I know the ropes of how things get done," said Oakley, whose husband, Walter, twice unsuccessfully ran for the District 128 board. "I learned on the library board (that) nothing is cut and dried. I think it's a give and take."

District 128 serves all or parts of Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Mundelein, Indian Creek, Mettawa, Green Oaks and Waukegan.