Meet Homer District 33C Board Of Ed Candidate: Jennifer Rudolph

HOMER GLEN, IL — Jennifer Rudolph is one of six candidates running for four open positions on the Homer District 33C Board of Education. Rudolph has experience working in the automotive industry, and has served as an HOA treasurer.

Rudolph recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and her answers can be found below:

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com.

Name: Jennifer Rudolph

Age (as of Election Day): 40

Town/city of residence: Homer Glen

School district: H33C

Family:

I'm married to my husband, Mark, and we have 2 children. Madelyn, 6, is currently in kindergarten at Schilling and Dawson, 5, is in the early childhood program at Young.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

Undergraduate in animal science/pre-veterinary medicine studies at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, ASE Certification in General Motors parts consultant and General Motors parts management

Occupation:

Devoted wife and full time mom

Campaign website:

None

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

HOA Treasurer for our association

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe our main focus should be getting and MAKING sure our children are back IN school safely as well as be able to offer added support to help with the transition. I have witnessed first hand the changes in mood and attitude by having to teach online and deal with isolation. Creating a safe environment and support for their mental wellbeing are top priority.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My family is new to the district. We chose 33c for its academic achievements. I can offer a "fresh unbiased" perspective and ideas. As a younger board member as well as some of my opponents, we actually have kids in H33c, and we can better represent fellow families in our town, Homer Glen.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

I believe most of the current board was comfortable with doing "just enough" to abide by state guidelines instead of work with parents and represent the best interests of our communities children. The state has guidelines that must be followed BUT there are ways to succeed as witnessed by private schools.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I'm focused on family. I feel we need to find common ground between the educational staff and parents. Many parents don't feel they are represented equally. We need to unite the community and teaching professionals.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I may not have a background in education, but I have worked extremely hard to get to where I am. During my career in the automotive industry, I worked my way up from an entry level position to managing the parts department in 2 dealerships until our daughter was born. I took my classes and received my certification on my own, no influence from my employer. As a veterinary technician, I dealt with everything from consoling families to dealing with our regular furry friends. I have experienced tough situations but made quick decisions, sometimes thinking out of the box to save a life, calm an angry customer who was stranded on their way home states away. I am a people person and I care about each and everyone I meet.

Why should voters trust you?

I'm a mom, I'm a devoted member of the community. I have a background in management and care about our children. I'm the only candidate with 2 early elementary school kids. They are our future, and I am focused on family not school politics or local government. I am very fortunate to be able to leave my career to devote my life to my family and their educational success. I also feel I can represent and be the voice for fellow parents.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

Getting and keeping our children in school safely and rebuilding what was lost during the COVID hiatus. We need to recover emotionally and succeed academically and create a sense of normalcy for our children while making sure funds are distributed appropriately for their benefit.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

The majority of property taxes are used on our education system. I would be your voice to push for further budget evaluation and to ensure to the best of my ability that those taxpayers dollars were used appropriately and to avoid any future tax increase if at all possible because they are my taxes too.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

N/A

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

The board has done well dealing with our diverse community.

What are your thoughts on the district’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you in favor of remote learning, in-person learning or a hybrid of the two? Do you support a mask mandate for students and school staff, or mandatory coronavirus testing for both students and staff?

I am 100 percent in favor of in person learning. Our children need to be in a classroom environment, socialize, and have a sense of normalcy and routine.

When the vaccine is available to them, do you support mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff?

I believe the choice should be the individual's. Long term effects are unknown, and different strains are showing up. The vaccine is not a cure, it is to help lessen how bad the virus progresses. Also, it's proven most children aren't affected, the adults are more at risk. So I don't believe vaccinating ALL children is necessary. It's a choice.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

None

The best advice ever shared with me was:

We learn from our past to make better decisions in the present for a successful future. Make every moment count