Elizabeth Kennedy: Candidate profile

Name: Elizabeth Kennedy

City: Lisle

Office sought: Community Unit School District 202 Board member-4 year term

Age: 62

Family: Husband Charles, Sons, Granddaughters, Grandson

Occupation: Retired, International Transportation Logistics

Education: B.A. Foreign Language, University of California Santa Barbara

Civic involvement: Go Refund Me Campaign-grass roots organization to put Referendum on the April, 2019 ballot to reduce school related taxes

Previous elected offices held: None

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

Website: Coming Soon

Facebook: HTTPS://www.FACEBOOK.COM/ELIZABETH.KENNEDY.1675275

Twitter: No

LinkedIn: WWW.LINKEDIN.COM/IN/ELIZABETHKENNEDY

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

Key issues are student performance and over taxation.

The Illinois Report Card has reported declining scores in the last 3 years (2015-2018) . We need to change this direction by determining what measures are needed that will enable and empower our students to improve the Lisle 202 scores and become a top performing district to make Lisle 202 a first choice of school.

Fair taxation is a focus which I see as top priority. Lisle 202 has been overtaxing the community for many years. The tax reduction reduction referendum addresses it very clearly. Lisle 202 has amassed a surplus that currently exceeds $35 million . A budget that meets the state target of 110% plus of adequacy for the school district and reduces taxes, will have NO negative impact or cut of services to the current Lisle 202 budget.

* 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?

Current performance results indicate there are opportunities to put a footprint in place that will better prepare our students with the skills to prosper. Evaluation of the current curriculum and executive leadership is required to create a leading modal emphasizing full support for teachers that delivers students with the skills to succeed.

* 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.

Fair taxation is a focus which I see as top priority. Lisle 202 has been overtaxing the community for many years. The tax reduction referendum addresses it very clearly. Lisle 202 has amassed a surplus that exceeds $ 35 million. A budget that has well in access of the 110% adequacy for the district, after the tax reduction referendum, will have NO negative impact to the current 202 budget - no reduction of teachers or any student services.

* 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 district should have a model that is market competitive, reflective of student success.

* 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

A superintendent or other administrator would have a competitive salary and pension scheme in place where no increase in salary or pension benefits should be given when nearing retirement.