Diverse experience, skills

I'm a Community High School District 128 board member. HSD128 has four positions up for election this April with 11 candidates, including two incumbents. Based on my experience with our district, I will be voting for Don Carmichael and Kevin Huber to serve another term. Don's background as a lifelong educator, most recently at neighboring Stevenson High School, has been an asset to our board and to me personally.

Kevin's deep understanding of school finance due to his tenure as executive director of the Chicago Teacher's Pension Fund continues to benefit our district on a regular basis and he often asks the questions no one else knows to ask. Both have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to putting students first and I hope to continue working with them in the future.

While I welcome the opportunity to work with whomever our community chooses, I will also be voting for Cara Benjamin and Jim Connell. Cara is an intelligent, young community member who was born and raised in our community and as a former educator, brings a solid grounding that will serve the district and help us retain our status as an employer of choice to some of the best educators in the business. I also believe being female and a Vernon Hills resident is what we need to maintain a balance on our board.

Jim's impressive record of service to our community and his levelheaded approach to what's best for students in the context of the community at large, will be an asset. His background in marketing, business and finance will round out our board well.

It is my opinion that Carmichael, Huber, Benjamin and Connell complete our board with a diversity of experience and skills that will allow us to build on the excellence that the D128 community has come to expect and cherish.

Lisa Hessel

Vernon Hills