NLSD122 Candidate: Rhonda Starklauf

Running for a 4-year-term on the New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education is Rhonda Starklauf, of New Lenox.   

Get to know Starklauf:

Starklauf and husband Brian have two boys, 9-year-old Jack and 6-year-old Sam.

Starklauf's educational background:

1998 - Bachelor of Arts Degree in Biology; Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois
2003 - Masters in Education Degree; University of St. Francis, Joliet, Illinois

Starklauf's Occupation and Employer:

Professional Background: Employed as a biology instructor at Lincoln-Way Central High School since 2001

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

With all of the curricular changes occurring through the implementation of the new standards and evaluation procedures, I would like to see our district assess our current educational practices and make improvements where necessary. I want our teachers to have the proper tools and resources to feel empowered in embracing these changes. I believe we all can facilitate these changes by encouraging a community where the Board, administrators, teachers, students, and parents all work together for the greater good of education. I am confident that all of this is possible, especially if we continue to improve our communication with parents and the community.

Many educational goals take a long time to implement and see results. I am able to see the long-terms goals and recognize that it takes small steps to eventually reach these goals. Keeping parents and the community in the loop with achieving these long-term goals is crucial in their success.

Why Are You Seeking Office?

When my oldest child started in the New Lenox schools, I regretted that I was unable to volunteer in his classroom or become actively involved in the PTO. Recently I began thinking of ways in which I could give back to the community and become more involved in my children’s schools. Being part of the District 122 School Board will allow me to use my strengths as an educator and my passion as a parent to directly influence the quality of education my children and all of the children in our community receive daily in the New Lenox school system. I recognize that these are difficult times financially, and I want to work within these constraints to make sure all of the schools in our district are still maintaining the high quality of education our community expects and deserves.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

As a teacher with over twelve years of experience in education, there is much I can offer to the planning and implementation of school policies that ensures the educational success of our young children. Currently, many important changes are taking place in the realm of education. With the adoption of the Common Core standards, new Science Standards, and also a new evaluation system for teachers, I can provide the Board with knowledge and understanding of these changes to maintain the quality of education we expect in our schools.

How will you lend stability to the board?

I believe an effective School Board should be comprised of a diversified group of individuals who can work together as one functional unit. I welcome individuals with opinions and ideas that differ from mine. My goal is to maintain a level of professionalism and respect with every board member in order to best fulfill our obligations to all students in our community.

How will you work to balance the budget?

With the decrease in state funding, I understand the need to ensure that the funds we do have are allocated in a way that best benefits our students and their learning. There needs to be accountability from the administrators and the Board regarding the passing of the budget how it is disbursed. It is the duty of all members, as elected officials, to be transparent and open with the public regarding these matters. Finally, I realize the Board is often faced with tough decisions regarding financial issues in the district. I will do my best to find solutions that allow for the highest quality of education in our schools
with minimal impact on the tax payers.

How will you represent all taxpayers in the district?

I will do my best to represent all taxpayers in our community by remembering that the success of our schools is intermingled in the ability of a community to support and attract businesses and home buyers, which in turn helps increase the tax base and benefit taxpayers.  It is easy for me to identify with the taxpayers who are parents and educators; however, I will do my best to also understand the concerns of younger and older constituents who may not have students in our schools.

There are eight candidates running for 4-year terms. 

The incumbents for the 4-year term are: 

1. Patrick Martino, incumbent
2. Deborah Kedzior, incumbent
3. Sue Smith, incumbent
4. William Pender, who was initially appointed in August to fill the remaining  two years of a term left by resigning Member Sue Gillooley.

The four newcomers are:

1. Thomas Hottinger
2. Philip Adair
3. Gregory Loock
4. Rhonda Starklauf

The candidates running for a 2-year term are:

1. Kathy Miller (incumbent)
2. Todd Hyatt (write-in candidate)

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VOTER INFO: To see your sample ballot, check if you are registered and find your designated polling location, go to the Will County Clerk's Precinct Lookup page.