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Kathleen Conlon Wasik: Candidate Profile

Grayslake High School District 127 School Board

Back to Grayslake High School District 127 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: GrayslakeWebsite: www.kathleenfor127.comOffice sought: Grayslake High School District 127 School Board Age: 51Family: Married 27 years, 2 daughters in the district, one is a senior and the other an incoming freshman.Occupation: Editor, JK Enterprises -- Previously Founder/President of GCG Information Systems, Inc.Education: Associate of Arts - College of Lake County - High Honors BA Philosophy - University of Illinois Springfield (enrolled)Civic involvement: League of Women Voters of Lake Country - Executive Committee Safe Communities Alliance - Chair Lurie Children's Hospital Illinois Violent Death Reporting System - Development Committee 2025 Children's Health Data Collection Initiative - Planning Committee Woodland District 50 Child Health and Welfare Committee Food Service Procurement Committee Established Woodland District 5K and 1-mile Family Fun Run Girls on the Run Coach PTA Vice President and Fundraising Coordinator Music Boosters -- attire General Interest Lake County Underage Drinking and Drug Prevention Task Force Affiliations Sierra ClubElected offices held: NoneQuestions 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?While our school district does a lot to help students transition from high school to college and the workplace, families I have spoken with are seeking additional ways for the district to support their children. Based on feedback from a variety of stakeholders, District #127 should explore and consider the following: â#128;cent; Continue to improve and expand the successful peer mentoring program throughout the district. Peer mentoring is a "win, win, win" proposition for our students, teachers, and their families. â#128;cent; Develop partnerships with businesses, not-for-profit and community organizations to help boost our students' competitive edge through internships and real-world work experience. This will help our students in the college application and job search processes. â#128;cent; Encourage development of evening and weekend volunteer-based tutoring support. This is especially important for our low-income students and families who need a more flexible schedule. â#128;cent; Use the schools and the community as an incubator to encourage students to solve real-world problems. For example, a plan to lower the school's energy bill is a way for an enterprising student to be of service to the community. The resulting experiences will build student resumes, distinguish our students beyond their grade point average, and put our students ahead of the minimum wage if they decide to go straight into the workforce. â#128;cent; Encourage high expectations of students. High expectations combined with masterful teaching, great counseling and access to tutoring could raise our students' aspirations and achievement scores.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.Budgetary issues confronting the district stem from the state's financial crisis, unfunded mandates, and proposals such as SB 16 that would defund public education are a serious risk to the budget. I am in favor of holding the line on taxes and finding savings within the budget. If cost-saving decisions are required, I would look to the operating budget first and make each decision based on how it would impact students, teachers and the districts' long term goals. We should constantly look for additional revenue streams by working with other districts on joint purchasing agreements and developing relationships with sponsors and foundations. At the state and federal level, it is important we partner with coalitions working to address the issue of equitable and adequate funding.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?The board's posture toward teachers and support staff should be one of transparency, respect and fairness. I would support cost of living increases for teachers and staff.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. Golden parachutes inflate the pension burden on taxpayers for years.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Candidate did not respond.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Malala Yousafzai of Pakistan - She won last year's Nobel Peace Prize for her work protecting young people's educational rights.What's the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?You don't need a lot of stuff to be happy.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?Never hold back on a kind word.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?I loved English literature, it taught me that people are complex and that you should never judge a book by its cover.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?I tell my girls always show up as yourself.