Lisa St. Clair: Candidate profile

Bio

Name: Lisa St. Clair

City: Mundelein

Office sought: District 75 Board

Age: 52

Family: Bob (husband), children are Maya and Robert

Occupation: Human Resources professional specializing in compensation, benefits and collaborative team building

Education: BS Industrial Psychology from University of Illinois at C/U; MSIR from Loyola University of Chicago

Civic involvement: 15-year history of volunteerism/collaboration in the D75 & D120 school districts. Experience across grades, schools and administrations has given me a unique perspective on education in Mundelein. My efforts have been focused on enriching our students' experiences: District 75 STEAM Foundation Board Member; twice member of the D75 Gifted Program review committee; Bringing STEM experiences to our students in the form of science nights, arranging guest scientists in classes and mentoring MHS students on a yearlong scientific challenge sponsored by my employer; Fostering unique business relationships though membership on the MHS Automation and STEM Council; coordinating an educator/industry symposium that drew educators from around the Chicago-land area including D75 & D120; Participating in career talks and fairs; Supporting cross country/track teams via fundraising, grant writing and volunteer coaching

Previous elected offices held: none

Incumbent? No. If yes, when were you first elected?

Website: n/a

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Issue questions

What are the most important issues facing your district and how do you intend to address them?

Continued, quantifiable academic improvement with limited resources across the learning/abilities spectrum will continue to challenge the district. Pressing for clear, meaningful data both to justify current spending and programs as well as for new proposals will be key.

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?

Opinions on this will vary, mostly based on personal experiences. The collaborative sharing of data with the high school that traces student achievement once they leave D75 should be pursued and enhanced to confirm perceived successes and/or identify areas for improvement in addition to the traditional testing methods currently used.

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? Be specific.

Supplementary funds from the state have changed and the district will be tasked to utilize these funds to best serve our students Careful analysis of our needs coupled with smart shared services utilization will be important. I am confident that D75 can continue to provide and improve offerings without cuts and I look forward to vetting proposals by the Administration. I do not support tax increases.

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 of Education has many roles; it is an employer charged with providing fair and rewarding employment. It also has obligations to our taxpayers who demand the judicious use of their tax dollars. The ultimate responsibility of the Board, however, is providing the best for our students. This unique position dictates a collaborative, open and firm stance by the Board in regards to all decisions and proposals, not just those involving 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?

This would not be an acceptable term of any future negotiated contract nor am I supportive of any request to do so by an administrator nearing retirement.