OP_032119

12 | March 21, 2019 | the orland Park Prairie election 2019
OPPrairie.com
Kirby School D140 Board (6 for 3 Four-Year Terms)
Name: Lisa Strand
Age: 38
Occupation: Legal assistant
for IUOE Local 150
Prior elected political
experience: Past four
years on D140 Board of
Education
Why are you running for Kirby
School D140 School Board?
Over the last four years, I learned
more about what makes this district
work — not just the Board, but the
administration, teachers, paraeducators,
office staff and the families. I am
equally determined, if not more so, to
make sure the district continues to run
as successfully as it has run in the past.
We have a healthy budget, no debt,
continue to update our schools and
grounds, continuously grow our programs
and technology, and, most importantly,
a strong relationship with the
people who have our kids for the majority
of the week.
What makes you the best candidate
for this position?
We are a union family raising four
children. I value this background, firmly
believe in the labor movement and
therefore can better appreciate the KSD
educators’ stake in this district. I have
seen their devotion to the KSD students
and feel that I am able to productively
work with the staff to continue the success
of the district.
What are the Top 3 issues you see
facing D140 and what would you do
to solve them?
Our board and administration have
been working on improving communication
with KSD families/residents.
I would like to consider whether
changes can be made to how we conduct
the school board meetings to
enhance this endeavor. Beyond this, our
school district is proud to have maintained
a balanced budget; up-to-date
buildings; staff who are fully invested
in their positions, putting forth the effort
to ensure our kids learn the best
ways possible.
Name: Rae Othman
Age: Not provided
Occupation: Not provided
Prior election political experience:
Not provided
Why are you running for
Kirby School D140 School Board?
I am a mother and a teacher that wants
what is best for all the kids. I want to advocate
for the students, parents and staff
across the Kirby School District and help
maintain fiscal responsibility with a prudent
budget. I believe the school board
should communicate and work with parents,
staff and the community before making
major decisions. I want to help provide
every child with the education they
deserve by creating a vision, putting in
place student structures to support that vision
and to be accountable to the public.
What makes you the best candidate for
this position?
My education, work experience and
background will have a positive impact
on Kirby School D140, as I will return the
focus to what is really important — the
children. As a teacher, I always advocate
for my students. This is evident through
my recent recognition from the CHSD
218 Board of Education for creating a
“healthy culture in which students feel
welcome and valued.” Education is my
passion. I earned my bachelor’s in history,
English and secondary education, as well
as my master’s in educational administration
from Saint Xavier University. For the
past 22 years, I have taught social studies,
English and physical education. Additionally,
two of my four children are currently
enrolled in the district, one at McAuliffe
and the other Prairie View. I feel that I
bring a unique background to the table
that would help better serve the educational
needs of all the children across the
district.
What are the Top 3 issues you see
facing D140 and what would you do to
solve them?
Issues currently facing Kirby School
D140 include maintaining fiscal responsibility,
adequately meeting the needs
of all of the students and addressing the
lack of transparency. Property taxes in
this district have skyrocketed over the
past 10 years. Instead of holding any
Finance Committee meetings, the current
School Board has simply served as
a rubber stamp by annually voting for
the budget without asking any questions.
Once elected, I’d like the School
Board to go through the budget in hopes
of maintaining fiscal responsibility and
providing a prudent budget. We owe that
to the taxpayers.
Despite the increase in taxes, our
schools have not maintained the same
quality of education. I moved to the
community in 2003 mainly because every
school in the district was ranked as
“exemplary” by the State, and I knew my
children would receive an excellent education.
However, in the past few years,
those rankings are in a decline. Currently,
only one school in Kirby D140 is
ranked as “exemplary” and another has
even been ranked as “underperforming.”
When schools underperform, it puts our
students at a disadvantage. This must
change. I plan to return the focus and
priority to the children. I look forward
to collaborating with the current leadership
to help return Kirby School D140 to
‘exemplary’ status. In addition, I believe
that transparency should be a priority for
the Kirby 140 School Board. The Illinois
Policy Institute gave Kirby a grade of 29
percent for its lack of transparency. I believe
the parents, teachers and community
leaders should know how the Board
of Education is reaching the decisions on
the issues that are important to its constituents.
Openness of board discussions
regarding their decisions is imperative.
I ask for your support, because it is time
for a change. I appreciate your vote.
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