this is a PRESS RELEASE from the tax-and-spenders at Smartchoices 65:
Tuesday December 4, 2012
Three School District residents announce their
candidacies for the Lake Bluff Elementary School District 65 Board of Education
Mary Jane Brady, Eric Waggoner, and Kate Amaral will
have their names on the ballot to fill three of the four seats at stake in the
April 9, 2013, Lake Bluff School Board election. Announcing their decision to
run, Mary Jane (MJ), Eric and Kate agreed that residents of the District 65
School District should be able to choose from a number of candidates
representing various viewpoints and approaches.
“Eric, Kate, and I have been involved in a variety of
local projects and causes and we’ve learned the importance of balance,”
according to MJ. “Different people come to an issue with different perspectives.
The danger is in overemphasizing any one special interest.”
MJ, Eric, and Kate look forward to presenting their
credentials to the District 65 community. Eric and MJ already serve District 65
on the School Board. Together with their Board colleagues in 2011 they
negotiated a contract with the teachers that both recognized the contributions
of our educators and benefitted local taxpayers. Student instruction continued
without interruption throughout the talks. They and their Board reduced costs
with prudent cuts in administrative overhead, including personnel. Additionally,
District 65’s financial obligations within area programs like the North Shore
Special Education District (NSSED) have been significantly reduced via closer
Board oversight. Their Board has achieved a top credit rating through
a
sustained budget surplus. And most recently, MJ, Eric, and their Board
colleagues officially resolved to provide the community tax relief by reducing
the 2012 levy by roughly three million dollars.
“We have governed as problem solvers,” Eric
emphasized. “I am proud to have been part of the effort to make the new Lake
Bluff Elementary School an exceptional environment for learning.” Eric worked
with other community leaders in obtaining out-of-district funding for
architectural and engineering design services that enhanced energy efficiency
and air quality in the new building. These efforts helped the Elementary School
obtain a coveted national certification for leadership in energy efficiency and
environmental design.
Eric added, “District 65 is a special place and we
have an obligation to continue making it better. While maintaining fiscal
discipline, Board members must simultaneously promote academic excellence to
ensure that today’s students are fully prepared to become tomorrow’s leaders.”
Kate’s participation in The Lake Bluff PTO over the
last six years, and as president for the last three years, reflects her
commitment to the District. “I have been honored to work with other dedicated
parents, the District administration and community leaders to increase
educational opportunities in Lake Bluff.”
Under Kate’s leadership, the PTO has brought in
donations of over $100,000, which were used to augment classroom instruction and
enhance facilities. Some of the items funded were bleachers and chairs used for
fine arts performances and sporting events at the Middle School, microscopes for
Middle School science labs, playground equipment and outdoor classroom furniture
for Lake Bluff Elementary School. Every year the PTO provides $10,000 to the
schools for guest lecturers, painters and writers, who supplement curriculum. “I
believe it is crucial for Board members to have served the school community and
to be aware of all available resources to defray the burden on the taxpayer.”
Kate has also served on the Community Wellness Task
Force for the past year with representatives from Lake Bluff, Knollwood and Lake
Forest. She and her Task Force colleagues have been assessing our community’s
resources and identifying areas for improvement. Kate added, “In a small
community like Lake Bluff, it’s so crucial that neighbors partner with neighbors
to take on the issues that affect us all.”
MJ, Eric and Kate each have two children attending
District schools. While MJ’s two will soon be moving to Lake Forest High School,
she believes she remains accountable to District 65. “The Board just hired an
outstanding superintendent in Dr. Jean Sophie. I think it is critical that Dr.
Sophie be able to count on some continuity, and that direction not be abruptly
shifted. My family’s past in District 65 has been phenomenal. I want others’
futures to be just as good.”
MJ, Eric and Kate look forward to continued service on
behalf of our schools. As proven leaders with critical experience in District
65, they pledge to get results that benefit the District’s students, taxpayers
and community.
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