Joy Hail: 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: Vernon HillsWebsite: noneOffice sought: Diamond Lake District 76 School Board Age: 38Family: Married with three children.Occupation: AttorneyEducation: Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish from Northwestern University Juris Doctorate from the University of Houston Law Center Masters of Law (LL.M) in Taxation from the Chicago Kent College of LawCivic involvement: I have been the President of the Parent Teacher Organization for District 76 for the last two school years (2013-2014, 2014-2015). I am also a community sector representative for the Stand Strong Coalition, which is a community-based coalition dedicated to preventing underage drinking and drug use among the youth in our community.Elected 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 believe that District 76 is adequately preparing students for high school. Information from Stevenson High School was shared at a recent school board meeting showing that students from District 76 were performing well at Stevenson. The district has introduced new programs, initiatives and curriculum over the last few years (e.g. gifted education, STEM opportunities and new technology) that have resulted in increased growth and educational opportunities for our students. These programs should continue to be built upon and supported. However, I think there is always room for improvement and more work needs to be done in closing the achievement gaps in our district to ensure that all students have a strong educational foundation going into 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.One of the largest budgetary issues the district will face over the next four years is financing improvements that need to be made to the three aging district facilities. The district is currently working with an architectural firm to explore various options as to how to best improve the facilities in a cost effective manner. The district has also approved new programs and initiatives, such as the 1:1 technology initiative, that will require an ongoing financial commitment if they are to be successful. The FY 2014-15 budget is unbalanced. As a result, it will be necessary to review current expenditures and see ways in which expenses could be reduced or eliminated to allow for the support of these programs. At this time, I do not support a tax increase to finance these programs.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?No.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?I believe that it is important for our district to pay competitive salaries to attract and retain top talent. Teachers play a vital role in implementing positive change in our district and talented teachers are crucial for continued student growth and success. In reviewing teacher salaries for the 2014-15 school year for our district and surrounding districts (73, 75, 79, 96 and 103), teachers in District 76 currently have the lowest salaries and an increase in pay should be considered. It would be wise to closely examine the recent strike in Waukegan to avoid making those same mistakes in our district.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 would not support a substantial pay increase to boost pension benefits. I believe that this would be fiscally irresponsible.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Communication is a very important issue to me as a candidate for school board in District 76. While efforts have been made recently to improve communication (regular presence on social media, weekly email blasts and redesigned website) the district needs to make serious strides to ensure that parents and the community are well informed as to the changes that are going on in the district. One of the ways I think communication should be improved is by having the school board send out a Board Brief via email after each meeting, summarizing the important issues that were discussed and/or voted on, along with a link to the minutes from the meeting and information about upcoming meetings, so that parents and other community members may stay informed.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Pope Francis.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Perseverance. My parents supported me in anything I wanted to try as a child, but I had to finish anything I started.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I wouldn't take a do-over. All of the experiences I've had in life, both good and bad, have helped shape the person I am today.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Reading was my favorite subject in school. It taught me that knowledge is power and as an adult, I continue to learn daily by reading.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Believe in yourself.