Kevin Lindell
Kevin Lindell was a candidate for at-large representative on the Township High School District 214 school board in Illinois. Lindell was defeated in the at-large general election on April 4, 2017.
Lindell previously was defeated in his run for a seat on the Township High School District 214 school board in the general election on April 7, 2015.[1][2]
Biography
Lindell words as an insurance consultant. He serves on his church council. He also coaches baseball and serves as a high school sports official. Lindell earned his bachelor's degree from the University of North Dakota. He and his wife have three children.[3]
Elections
2017
Four seats on the Township High School District 214 Board of Education were up for election on April 4, 2017. In their bids for re-election, incumbents Mark Hineman and Todd Younger faced challengers Frank Biga III, Richard Hamen, Kevin Lindell, Mildred Palmer, Benjamin Scherr, and Leonard Walker.[4] Hineman, Younger, Palmer, and Walker ran together as a candidate slate. All four of them won election to the board.[5][6]
Results
| Township High School District 214, At-Large General Election, 4-year terms, 2017 |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Mildred Palmer |
18.90% | 8,694 |
| Mark Hineman Incumbent |
17.75% | 8,162 |
| Todd Younger Incumbent |
14.52% | 6,679 |
| Leonard Walker |
14.16% | 6,512 |
| Kevin Lindell | 10.73% | 4,937 |
| Benjamin Scherr | 9.70% | 4,463 |
| Richard Hamen | 7.78% | 3,577 |
| Frank Biga III | 6.26% | 2,879 |
| Write-in votes | 0.19% | 89 |
| Total Votes | 45,992 | |
| Source: Cook County Clerk, "Consolidated Election April 4, 2017 Summary Report," accessed April 19, 2017 | ||
Funding
School board candidates in Illinois were required to file campaign finance reports if they did one or both of the following:[7]
- Accepted contributions or made disbursements in an aggregate amount of more than $5,000 during the calendar year
- Accepted contributions or made disbursements in an aggregate amount of more than $5,000 during the calendar year for communication via television, radio, or internet in support of or in opposition to a candidate, political party, or public policy
The first campaign finance deadline was February 27, 2017, and the second campaign finance deadline was April 3, 2017.[8]
Lindell reported no contributions or expenditures to the Illinois State Board of Elections in the election.[9]
Endorsements
Do you know of an official or organization that endorsed a candidate in this race? Let Ballotpedia know by email at editor@ballotpedia.org.
2015
Three of the seven at-large seats on the Township High School District 214 Board of Education were up for general election on April 7, 2015. Incumbents William "Bill" Dussling, Alva J. Kreutzer and F. Daniel Petro ran against challenger Kevin Lindell. All three incumbents were re-elected to their seats.
Results
| Township High School District 214, At-Large General Election, 4-year term, 2015 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Nonpartisan | William "Bill" Dussling Incumbent |
28.8% | 11,403 | |
| Nonpartisan | Alva J. Kreutzer Incumbent |
25.7% | 10,182 | |
| Nonpartisan | F. Daniel Petro Incumbent |
24.4% | 9,634 | |
| Nonpartisan | Kevin Lindell | 21.1% | 8,345 | |
| Total Votes | 39,564 | |||
| Source: Cook County Clerk, "Election Results: April 07, 2015 Consolidated General Election," accessed April 22, 2015 | ||||
Funding
School board candidates in Illinois are only required to file campaign finance reports if they accept contributions or make expenditures in excess of $5,000 in a 12-month period.[10]
Lindell reported no contributions or expenditures to the Illinois State Board of Elections in this election.[11]
Endorsements
Lindell did not receive any official endorsements for this election.
Campaign themes
2017
Lindell participated in a survey conducted by the Daily Herald in March 2017. Six of the survey questions and Lindell's responses can be found below. Click here to read the full survey.
Why are you running for this office, whether for re-election or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?
| “ | I have been a resident of the northwest suburbs for over 30 years. Six years ago my family made the decision to build a new home in Mt. Prospect. The primary motivating reason for leaving our prior community was to find a school system where our children can be best educated to be prepared for life. We found this in D214. I now want to give back to the community that I have come to enjoy so much. With 2 children in D214 schools (along with a 7th grader) I feel it is important that the board have representation with members that have "Ëœskin in the game'. (Only 1 of the existing board members currently has a D214 student) The strong performance of D214 schools has resulted in our communities becoming magnets to potential homebuyers. This draw of people to our communities protects the value of our most costly personal investment, our home values. As a result of our strong school system, I want to make sure that we continue to be sought after communities. Another issue that is motivating me to seek a board position is related to the impending financial impact of our state's budget crisis. I want to be part of the solution as we deal with the state's failure to distribute education funding to our communities. As a new board member, I offer the district voters a person that will ask a lot of "why" questions and not be afraid to challenge the status quo.[12] | ” |
| —Kevin Lindell (2017)[13] | ||
What do you think about the process for measuring student success in your district? Is it adequate? What changes, if any, do you propose?
| “ | Historically, school districts have used standardized testing as the method of measuring student education successes. Over the past couple of years, D214 has been on the cutting edge of the National objective of "ËœRedefining Ready'. D214's Dr. Schuler is leading this National objective. D214 has the benefit of getting in on the ground floor of this education "Ëœgame changer'. This program does not solely rely on standardized testing to measure the readiness of students to succeed in school and life. This program starts in the elementary schools and continues through high school. As a prospective new school board member, I support adapting this National objective to D214 schools. It is my opinion that high school is a time for preparing a person for success in life and that success should NOT be solely measured via a standardized test. The opportunity to be part of an education community that is setting the standards and goals of schools throughout the United States is very exciting! However, as with any new program, we WILL have to come up with measurement assessments as to whether the new program is having meaningful impact and IS resulting in positive changes. These measurement assessments have to be shared openly and honestly in the community.[12] | ” |
| —Kevin Lindell (2017)[13] | ||
How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?
| “ | We need to prepare our D214 students to succeed in our global economy. Our students are creative, energetic and talented. The talents that they possess are far reaching. We need to prepare them for success. I do not feel it is the responsibility of the board of education to set the curriculum for students. However, it IS their responsibility to oversee and approve the curriculum that is being recommended by school administrators.
An effective school district needs to monitor industry, technology and employment trends and respond to the education needs of this group of future workers. With D214 representing a wide range of diversity, flexibility has to exist in meeting the needs of all students. I believe that opportunities for students to develop skills via specialized curriculum and classes at district high schools should be promoted and encouraged. If a carpentry class is offered at one high school, all D214 students should be aware of this class and encouraged to enroll. I would also strongly support "ËœIntro to Trade Classes' and internships to allow students the opportunity to explore areas of interest and whether such careers are ones that they enjoy and would like to pursue as a career.[12] |
” |
| —Kevin Lindell (2017)[13] | ||
What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?
| “ | The existing budget logjam in state government is having meaningful ADVERSE impact to public schools through the State of IL. Despite having adequate reserve funding, D214 is not immune from the current problems. The district is currently owed $5 Million from the state. The key to surviving tumultuous times is to be prepared. Preparedness involves taking a look at all incoming revenue and measuring this to established projected budget needs. We cannot count on revenue that has historically been provided by the State of IL. Thus we need to look at the impact that community tax revenue is projected to have for our district. Considering the economy has improved and businesses are strong in Northwest Suburbs, I feel we need to look at this source of revenue for the district BEFORE we approach the resident tax payers on increases. Just like managing a home budget, we cannot only monitor the top line revenue. We HAVE to closely monitor expenses of D214. Goods and services contracts need to be bid out to assure competitiveness, salary contracts need to be negotiated effectively and overall belt tightening needs to be done. If I am elected a D214 board member, tax increases and fee increases would be the absolute last resort of revenue source. As a business professional, I have over 35 years of experience in managing budgets. I have managed budgets in both plentiful as well as challenging times. I am very qualified and prepared to assist in making tough decisions when required.[12] | ” |
| —Kevin Lindell (2017)[13] | ||
What role can and should school choice play in your district? If Congress or the state approves a voucher system or other means giving students broader choices among public and private schools, how will that affect your district? What is the appropriate response for the board of education of a public school system?
| “ | It is my opinion that allowing a voucher system would cause significant issues to D214 schools. We have worked very hard to develop our schools into top performing institutions. One of the key benefits of residents in our communities is our school system. As a result of our school systems, D214 communities are targeted as some of the most desired areas in the Chicago area. People pay a premium (in home values) to reside in our district. I am concerned that allowing students open access to our schools would potentially undermine our home asset values. I would also foresee potential problems in school crowding and our ability to effectively manage projected school enrollments. The board of education would need to conduct a very thorough study to determine what benefits could be realized by D214 schools in regards to expanding school choice.[12] | ” |
| —Kevin Lindell (2017)[13] | ||
What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?
| “ | I offer the district a representative that would have current children attending D214 schools. (Only 1 of the existing 7 board members has current children in the district) Our family has a Senior and a Junior in the district (along with a 7th grader). I feel it is very important that there be numerous representatives on the D214 board with current "Ëœskin in the game'. It is important that when programs are presented by district administrators that there be numerous members on the board that can validate the value of offered programs. As a parent of currently enrolled D214 students, I have real life experiences of D214 Programs that were both in the best interest of the students and educators (switching the school calendar to mirror that of colleges"¦.with finals being conducted before Christmas / New Year's break) and another that was NOT in the best interest of students and their families (Summer School bridge curriculum that not delivered in a manner that was expected by the students or their families). With the continual interaction that I have with other D214 families with active D214 students, along with having "Ëœskin in the game' for the next 6 years, I feel that I truly differentiate myself from the other candidates"¦"¦and existing board members.[12] | ” |
| —Kevin Lindell (2017)[13] | ||
See also
- Township High School District 214, Illinois
- Township High School District 214 elections (2017)
- Township High School District 214 elections (2015)
- Hot tub Gatorade, turnout in Peoria and the Wisconsin state budget... (April 8, 2015)
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Cook County Clerk, "Candidate Filing for April 7, 2015 Election," accessed January 21, 2015
- ↑ Cook County Clerk, "Suburban Cook County Election Results," accessed April 7, 2015
- ↑ Daily Herald, "Kevin Lindell: Candidate Profile," March 10, 2015
- ↑ Cook County Clerk, "Candidate Filing for April 4, 2017 Consolidated Election," accessed December 20, 2016
- ↑ Cook County Clerk, "April 04, 2017 Consolidated General Election Search For Results," accessed April 4, 2017
- ↑ Daily Herald, "Four candidates running as slate for District 214 board," December 3, 2016
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "A Guide to Campaign Finance Disclosure," accessed January 5, 2017
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Election and Campaign Finance Calendar 2017," accessed January 5, 2017
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate Disclosure Search," accessed April 4, 2017
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "A Guide to Campaign Disclosure," accessed March 31, 2015
- ↑ Illinois State Board of Elections, "Candidate Disclosure Search," accessed April 6, 2015
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 12.4 12.5 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 Daily Herald, "Kevin Lindell: Candidate Profile," March 20, 2017
| Township High School District 214 elections in 2017 | |
| Cook County, Illinois | |
| Election date: | April 4, 2017 |
| Candidates: | At-large: Incumbent Mark Hineman • Incumbent, Todd Younger • Frank Biga III • Richard Hamen • Kevin Lindell • Mildred Palmer • Benjamin Scherr • Leonard Walker |
| Important information: | What was at stake? • Additional elections on the ballot • Key deadlines |
| 2015 Township High School District 214 Elections | |
| Cook County, Illinois | |
| Election date: | April 7, 2015 |
| Candidates: | At-large: • Incumbent, William "Bill" Dussling • Incumbent, Alva J. Kreutzer • Incumbent, F. Daniel Petro • Kevin Lindell |
| Important information: | Key deadlines • Additional elections on the ballot |
