Meet Kelli Mason Oak Lawn Library Trustee Candidate Kelli Mason

OAK LAWN, IL — Kelli Mason is the seventh candidate running for the Oak Lawn Public Library Board of Trustees in the April 2016 election. Mason is currently an instructional coach/teacher at D218 Eisenhower High School. She believes that the Oak Lawn library board deserves representation willing to be vocal and fight for a library that serves the needs of the village's diverse community.

Name: Kelli Mason

Age (as of Election Day): 52

Town/City of Residence: Oak Lawn

Office Sought: Oak Lawn Public Library Board of Trustees

Party Affiliation (if a partisan race): Non-partisan

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No.

Education:

Bachelor of Arts, English and Secondary Education - The University of Oklahoma
Master of Arts, Reading, St. Xavier University
Master of Arts, Educational Leadership, Olivet Nazarene University

Occupation: 26 years of experience in education. Currently, an instructional coach/teacher, Eisenhower High School. Previous positions include 8 years at Harlan High School, CPS; 18 years with CHSD 218 in a variety of roles, including English teacher, literacy coach, instructional coach and administration.

Campaign website: Mason For Oak Lawn Library Board

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: Kolmar PTA treasurer (5 years)

The single most pressing issue facing our library and this is what I intend to do about it.

Fiscal responsibility and good financial stewardship are the biggest issues facing the Oak Lawn Public Library at this time. The balance between providing outstanding services to patrons and being mindful of the tax implications for our residents is a fine line. The OLPL trustees are charged with maintaining that balance and communicating with the library staff, the OLPL patrons, and taxpayers. Transparency and communication with all stakeholders regarding financial matters is critical as we move forward. The Library newsletter is a good way in which to communicate with taxpayers and patrons and one avenue through which the trustees could provide transparency about upcoming issues.

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 feel strongly that we have a moral obligation to fight injustice in any form. We as Americans have the constitutional right to protest when we see or perceive injustices. These rights and obligations become very politically charged and cause deep divisions. It is my sincere hope that our community can come together to discuss injustice and other concerns in a productive manner through programs and forums. The library can serve as a conduit for those discussions.

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

I have no knowledge about the Board’s past efforts to address racial equity. I do know that there is still a great deal of work to be done to address racial equity and I look forward to being part of those conversations.

What are your thoughts on the national and local coronavirus response? Do you favor measures such as limiting operation of non-essential businesses and restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a local mask mandate?

I believe in science and safety. CDC guidelines regarding gatherings should be followed in order to protect our community members, particularly those most vulnerable.

What are your thoughts on the state and local coronavirus vaccine distribution, and how do you think local governments should work together to handle vaccine rollout?

For the good of all citizens, I would expect local governments to coordinate efforts to ensure vaccine rollout is efficient and far-reaching. As a teacher I have been blessed to receive the vaccine and witnessed nothing but efficiency and professionalism from the Illinois National Guard.

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

I am not a life-long Oak Lawn resident. Our family chose to move to Oak Lawn 16 years ago for its outstanding schools, fantastic park district, and amazing library. My husband and I have lived many places — Texas, Oklahoma, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia. We chose this amazing community as the place we wanted to raise our children, knowing what outstanding educational opportunities would be available to them. And we immediately and continuously became active community members. I have been a PTA member for 7 years (5 of those elected as treasurer), an active member of the D123 Educational Foundation (and current Vice Chair), and an active member of Girl Scouts. My husband served for 9 years on the Oak Lawn-Hometown D123 School Board. He has also served on the Crestwood Soccer Board for over 10 years, serving as a coach and a referee. We feel strongly that it is our responsibility to serve the community which has given much to us and our children.

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

I have attended meetings of the Oak Lawn Public Library Board of Trustees. In those meetings I see a board that is overpowered by one or two voices of the seven board members. The very reason you have seven board members is to allow for a diversity of voices and opinions in order to reach the best resolutions. If only the loudest voice is heard, the interests of all community members are not heard. Also, if the loudest voices are always talking, there is not much listening going on. The Library Board needs to be an environment in which all voices are heard and all interests are considered. If the Board has created a setting where that is not possible, then we need a change. We need board members who are willing to advocate and speak up.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform?

Because funds are limited for governing bodies, it is important that we use these resources wisely. Therefore, I think it is important for the Board to understand what is being offered by the Library and make decisions that best serve the community as a whole. We need to use data from our staff and from our patrons to drive our decision-making process and use our resources appropriately.

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

I am committed to serving my community. I feel confident with budgeting, running meetings effectively, and bringing diverse opinions to consensus.

• I have a master’s degree in Educational Leadership and a master’s degree in Reading. I have worked in CHSD 218 for 18 years, including three years in administration. I have seen first hand the importance of having access to books and educational resources.
• I served on Kolmar PTA for 7 years, 5 of those as treasurer, so I understand budgeting, general accounting and auditing financials.
• I have been involved in Girl Scouts in Oak Lawn for over 15 years. For twelve years I served as Girl Scout troop leaders for both daughters’ troops, helping three young women from Oak Lawn earn their Gold Awards. I currently serve as a Gold Award Coach for Girl Scouts of Greater Chicago and Northwest Indiana and helped 4 young women earn their Gold Awards this year.
• I have been on the Oak Lawn-Hometown District 123 Educational Foundation for 4 years and currently serve as Vice Chair. I have worked to chair events, including Taco and Trivia Night, that have raised much needed funds for our teachers and students.

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

I have received several emails and messages from voters asking about my stance on specific issues. To me, that is already a success. Oak Lawn residents are paying attention to this election, to the candidates, and are participating in the democratic process. I would feel most accomplished if residents attended Library Board meetings and communicated openly with the Trustees about their wishes, desires and concerns for our library.

Why should voters trust you?

I have absolutely NO political aspirations beyond Oak Lawn Library Board. As a high school teacher and as a community volunteer, I found my passion is to help young people become productive citizens in their communities. We say teachers are not in it for the income, but are in it for the outcome. I feel the same about all my community service and about serving as a Library trustee.

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

Elected members of the library board and other local taxing bodies should be good stewards of taxpayer funding. They should ensure that the budget is appropriate to maintain salaries, services, and facilities.

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Education is the key to success. I had the privilege to have amazing relationships with all four of my grandparents when I was growing up in Oklahoma and Texas. Only my grandmothers graduated from high school and none of my grandparents attended college. The message from all four of them and my parents was the importance of education. We did not have much money, but we ALWAYS had books. We were read to and then read for ourselves daily. An outstanding public library, with books and access to programs, was critical to my education and my success.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Strong libraries serve a community of lifelong learners. Oak Lawn deserves representation willing to be vocal and fight for a library that serves the needs of our diverse community.