Lara Kristofer

Lara Kristofer

Nonpartisan

Contact

Personal website

Lara Kristofer was a candidate for at-large representative on the St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 Board of Education in Illinois. Kristofer was defeated in the at-large general election on April 4, 2017.

Elections

2017

See also: St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 elections (2017)

Four seats on the St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 Board of Education were up for at-large general election on April 4, 2017. Incumbents James Gaffney and Edward McNally and newcomers Heidi Fairgrieve and Carolyn Waibel won seats on the board. Candidates Lara Kristofer, Eric Missil, and Denton Morris were defeated in the race.

Results

St. Charles Community Unit School District 303, At-Large General Election, 4-year terms, 2017
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Edward McNally Incumbent	19.25%	3,479
Carolyn Waibel	16.62%	3,003
James Gaffney Incumbent	16.18%	2,923
Heidi Fairgrieve	13.76%	2,487
Lara Kristofer	12.83%	2,318
Denton Morris	12.09%	2,184
Eric Missil	9.28%	1,677
Total Votes		18,071
Source: Kane County Clerk, "2017 Consolidated Election Contest Results," accessed May 1, 2017

Funding

See also: Campaign finance in the St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 election

Kristofer reported no contributions or expenditures to the Illinois State Board of Elections in the election.

Endorsements

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Campaign themes

2017

Kristofer participated in the following survey conducted by the Kane County Chronicle. The questions provided by the Kane County Chronicle appear bolded, and Kristofer's responses follow below.

Why have you decided to run for election/reelection in the St. Charles School Board race?

“	I would love to be a voice for students and would embrace the opportunity to represent the residents in our community. I am running for school board to be sure “that government of the people, by the people, for the people shall not perish from the earth.” Abraham Lincoln spoke these words on Nov. 19, 1863, in his Gettysburg Address, and they still ring true today. It continues to be important at the local, state and federal levels for constituents to believe their voice is being heard and represented. I place great emphasis on communication and collaboration and feel both are necessary to foster relationships with all stakeholder groups in order to represent them effectively.	”
—Lara Kristofer (2017)

What project most needs to be completed in St. Charles School District 303? And how would you work to ensure the project is actually finished and done well?

“	Right now the top three projects are: • Transitioning to two middle schools • Installing artificial turf to replace the field at North High School • Upgrading Norris Rec Center In a recent conversation with John Baird, our district’s phenomenal assistant superintendent for operations, I learned there are many checks and balances in place to ensure the projects are finished and done well. There are multiple administrators involved at the district level who will be working closely with architects to monitor progress and adhere to the permitting process that is in place with the city of St. Charles and the Kane County Regional Office of Education. While the actual overseeing of the construction projects lies in the hands of our very capable and efficient D303 administrators, it is important for board members to have a solid understanding of these undertakings as well. I would enthusiastically commit to learning more about the steps and stages involved in each project and would take an active part in the process by asking questions, reviewing updates and addressing any concerns that might arise.	”
—Lara Kristofer (2017)

What experience and/or strengths would you bring to the board if elected/re-elected?

“	With dual master’s degrees in Clinical Psychology and Elementary Education, my coursework and professional background combined with my experiences as a parent make me a knowledgeable resource when considering decisions that affect our students, families, and the community in general. Having attended every regular board meeting since November of 2015 with the exception of one when we were on a family vacation and I listened to the audio online, I have developed a solid understanding of the unique challenges a school board member faces. Having this accurate background knowledge is crucial, as it provides a factual context for the decisions the board will be facing in the future. In all of my endeavors, I strive to be an open-minded, trustworthy, and conscientious team player. I approach my roles and responsibilities with humility and enthusiasm and embrace creative and collaborative methods of problem solving.	”
—Lara Kristofer (2017)

Are you generally in favor of increasing school spending, lowering school spending or maintaining school spending – keeping in mind that such decisions can affect local homeowners and the taxes that they pay? Please explain your answer.

“	I am in favor of maintaining school spending. Ideally, we need to balance the needs of the students with the needs of the taxpayers. In our district, parents expect and deserve a high-quality education for their children. Maintaining this reputation of educational excellence is beneficial to all district residents, as the desirability of schools plays an important role in this community by attracting new families and increasing economic growth in our city. However, in our community, more than 50 percent of households do not have school-aged children. This is a large percentage of the population whose needs should absolutely be taken into consideration when making decisions.	”
—Lara Kristofer (2017)

What types of new technologies (computers, other devices/software) or styles of learning (such as blended learning) should the district focus on and/or implement in coming years?

“	One of my son’s favorite parts about second grade is participating in Project Lead the Way activities. This is a great program that balances hands-on experiences with digital resources. It is an interdisciplinary approach that helps students develop critical thinking skills and become better problem solvers. The engaging learning experiences increase confidence and comprehension, as students are given a chance to conduct experiments in a way that meets their differing learning needs. I would love to see this program expanded upon in the future, as these hands-on opportunities appeal to a wider range of students than the traditional learning environment does.	”
—Lara Kristofer (2017)

What differentiates you from the other candidate(s) running for this seat?

“	Check out my website to find out! www.larakristofer.com	”
—Lara Kristofer (2017)

Outside of politics, what are some of your other interests?

“	I enjoy helping others, running with our rescued dog, reading books with my children, vacationing in the Upper Peninsula, playing baseball in the yard, beating my kids at Monopoly, and attending church every Sunday!	”
—Lara Kristofer (2017)

Why should people vote for you in this race?

“	I believe everyone’s opinion counts! No matter what your role is in this community, your perspective is valued. I want to hear your voices so I can advocate for the things that are important to the people I am elected to represent!	”
—Lara Kristofer (2017)

See also

• St. Charles Community Unit School District 303, Illinois
• St. Charles Community Unit School District 303 elections (2017)

External links

Suggest a link

• St. Charles Community Unit School District 303
• Campaign website
• Facebook page
• Twitter account