District 128 School Board Race: Kara Drumke Profile

LIBERTYVILLE, IL — There are 10 candidates running for four open seats this spring on the Community High School District 128 school board.

Patch.com requested information from all candidates through a survey. Here are the responses submitted by District 128 school board candidate Kara Drumke:

Age (as of election day):

51

Town/city of residence:

Libertyville

School district:

D128

Family -Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share:

2 sons, Dylan 19 and a 2020 graduate of LHS and Matt 15 current sophomore at LHS

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for:

no

Education:

1988 graduate of Regina Dominican High School. Received both my BA and JD from Loyola University of Chicago

Occupation-Please include years of experience.

30 years as a public teacher and 19 years as an attorney

Campaign website:

http://karadrumke-d128.com/

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

none

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

Clearly the most immediate issue facing our district is returning to school fully. If elected to the board in April, my term would not begin until after this school year. If conditions in the fall are similar to now, coupled with the widespread vaccination of teachers in Lake county, I expect schools will be open fully. My intention is to work with the superintendent and board to make that happen. Once we can return to a more normal school setting, the hard work of supporting our students and maintaining the excellence our community has expected becomes the priority.

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

The one thing I’ve discovered throughout this election is how fortunate our community is to have so many highly qualified and well intentioned people choosing to run for this volunteer position. I would bring with me my voice as a current D128 parent, a teacher, and a community member. As an attorney, I have counseled many families moving to our district and feel I have a good understanding of what homeowners in our area value and expect from our schools. I hope to offer this balanced perspective to the board where my focus will be on continuing the successful and forward moving trajectory we’ve already come to expect from both schools.

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

I am a challenger and I don’t believe the district has failed the students, parents, teachers or community. The district continues to be recognized for academic excellence, financial stability, student activities, athletic accomplishments, and the arts. Those achievements don’t happen from failing schools.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

D128 is a nationally recognized district for academics, civics, athletics and finances. My goal as a board member is to work as a team member to continue those achievements focused on: (1) maintaining a culture of excellence in curriculum, services, programs, faculty and staff, (2) providing a culture celebrating our diverse student population while furnishing them with a safe and healthy environment crafting equitable futures, (3) overseeing good governance and responsible spending.

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

I believe my passion and experience working in public schools for the last 30 years has prepared me for and given me a good perspective of school priorities. Working on committees, other boards and even with professional teams has prepared me to work collaboratively and understand the importance of working together towards a common goal. Managing a busy life is my routine. I’m a single mom, raising 2 children involved in sports while also working as a full time teacher and attorney; multitasking is my normal.

Why should voters trust you?

It’s hard to answer that question, and probably best answered by other people who know and trust me. What I will say is I believe I have lived a life of authenticity and honesty. If past behavior is the best predictor of future performance, I would say the support of the parents of my students, the students themselves and the clients I advise is the best evidence I can provide of my trustworthiness. With that said, trust is earned and I hope to have the opportunity to earn the community’s trust and support.

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

Working with the new superintendent towards a successful and seamless transition. I am so impressed with Dr. Herrmann’s credentials and her plans for our district. I have heard her share her background and her vision for continuing policies and procedures that further the D.A.R.I.N.G mission, so in that sense if we can support her in bringing our community back together while also furthering our students school experience, that is a success.

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

As a board member my fiscal priority would be to maintain the financial stability of the district. I would promote setting tax revenue based on strategic projections rather than maximum allowed assessment, knowing that sometimes those two figures are the same. I support preserving a reasonable surplus for necessary capital expenditures and in preparation for predicted district growth. The lion share of the spending should continue to be on instruction costs and pupil and instructional support.

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?

I think there are too many differing understandings of what the BLM movement stands for among the public, so to just say I support BLM could be misinterpreted depending on another’s perception of the BLM movement. What I do believe is the african american community has been marginalized and discriminated against both historically and currently. I support any person’s/group’s right to peacefully protest. I also think anyone breaking the law should be held accountable.

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

Yes, but the work on this is never finished. It will continue to be reviewed, developed, and expanded as necessary. Through the D.A.R.I.N.G mission, the board has prioritized a culture of equality and inclusion. The proposed Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion policy sets forth the districts belief and comprehensive plan supporting this priority.

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 believe the current Board, like most school boards in the state, made the best decisions with the information they had at the time. The pandemic is not something we were prepared for. D128 had to pivot and reimagine delivery of rigorous curriculum in real time. I believe the current Board’s decisions on remote and hybrid learning took into consideration both safety of students, staff and the community balanced with academic needs. I would characterize the district’s actions towards the pandemic as “responsive”. Seeking out feedback from parents, students, teachers and in some cases the community at large, and shifting when necessary. I believe the board is working towards the same goal, the full opening of the schools in the safest way possible, and I support that whole-heartedly. I support the continued use of mitigation strategies that are recommended by CDC, IDPH and LCHD.

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

As a teacher, I was fortunate enough to be included in the first phases of vaccination, as did most of my colleagues. Requiring mandatory vaccination is a high threshold to meet. I don’t think we have enough information on the vaccines to make it a requirement. That is not to say it isn’t safe, but at this point without the full FDA approval and studies showing long term effects I don’t think a school district can force vaccination for either teachers or students at this time.

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

I cannot foresee a reason that would prompt me to resign a position on the board before the term expires. In fact, if elected I hope to be considered a productive and valuable member of the board and open to running again.

The best advice ever shared with me was ____________

From my Parents, which is "don't ever ask anyone to do something you're not willing to do yourself". This advice has been a guiding principle throughout my life. It forces me not to complain, but to get in and problem solve. It directs me to be a model and encourage others to take action. It forces me to see things with empathy and a growth mindset. Thank you Mom and Dad.