Endorsement Letters: Election 2011

Residents are encouraged to write a letter to the editor. Letters should be e-mailed to the editor, Jim Powers, at james.powers@patch.com for verification.

Hannah Emmanuele for D115 Board

Dear Editor,

Hannah Emmanuele, LFHS Board of Education candidate, has our unequivocal and enthusiastic support and endorsement in the upcoming April 5 election. 

Among many strong assets, Hannah is a fiscal conservative, understands the need to do more with less, and is keenly interested in representing the community taxpayers on the LFHS Board of Education.

This current election cycle is reminiscent of the 2003contested election when six community members ran for three open seats on the LFHS Board. Marilyn Harlow (retiring from the LFHS Board of Education this May), was a winner then and was Not supported by the LF Caucus. She, like Hannah Emmanuele, ran an independent campaign.

Hannah has a quick, keen, and nimble analytical mind.   She understands and processes the big picture as well as the micro level with clarity and thoroughness. Hannah has a passion for achieving the highest possible level of education for each student in our community.  We see in Hannah a work ethic for methodical preparation, due diligence and careful study expected of school board members.

Hannah comes with no personal agenda except to move LFHS forward to be a Beacon of Excellence school district.  At the same time she is a creative problem solver and will be of help as the Board seeks to alleviate the fiscal pressures LFHS currently is experiencing.  Achieving this balance is vital to ensure LF/LB/Knollwood property values are enhanced and vacant homes are filled with new families, which is one of Hannah’s goals

Hannah Emmanuele has significant governing board and senior management experience with a billion dollar nonprofit organization. Her broad range of work and life experiences provide her valuable insights and understanding of the board’s role within the school district, including its relationship with the school administration. Hannah also possesses the necessary expert listening skills that are required to work in a collaborative manner with the Board, and with the community, faculty, and administration. 

When elected, Hannah will bring a voice of reason, candor, openness, and passion for education, along with fiscal acumen. Hannah also will bring a fresh perspective because she possesses a younger world view, one informed by the advances taking place in our ever changing world and a knowledge of the skills our young students need to be successful in their adult lives

The LFHS Board of Education needs to represent a cross section of our community, be well balanced and dynamic, represent the long view and a forward looking perspective, and consist of varied professional and work experiences. We also need a balance of men and women on the Board. An important quality Hannah will bring that no other candidate has is the personal knowledge of the programs at the middle school level, therefore understanding the continuum for students matriculating into the high school. This is consistent with the best hopes and intent of the “new shared services model.”

No other LFHS Board of Education member, past or present or even current candidates, has experienced this operational model at both districts first hand while sitting on the Board. This is a unique and important perspective for the Board as it weighs the school’s future, especially including the hiring of a new superintendent. 

Hannah Emmanuele has been busy taking her inspiring message to the voters. Her campaign has been positive from the very start, dignified and clearly focused on our school and the best interests of our students. That’s the LF/LB way. Hannah, like her campaign, will represent the community on the LFHS Board of Education with the highest professionalism and ethical and moral standards.

Please join us in voting 4 Hannah Emmanuele 4 the LFHS Board of Education on April 5.

Mary and Thomas Ritter

Supports Monty Edson for District 115

Although I have not known Monty Edson for the entire 35 years he has lived in Lake Forest, I have come to know him well through our shared membership on the Board of The Lake Forest Graduate School of Management (LFGSM).  Monty’s passion for education, his experience in business, and his dedication to the Lake Forest community make him an excellent candidate for the Lake Forest High School District 115 Board.

The Lake Forest Caucus agrees and has endorsed Monty’s candidacy.

When I joined the LFGSM Board six years ago, Monty was its Chairman.  Though he has stepped down from that post, he remains a vital member of the Board and its Executive Committee. Over the years, I have been impressed with Monty’s skillful governance, thoughtful input and selfless leadership. He has provided invaluable guidance to the school and its management team in dealing with a number important challenges and opportunities.

With two sons having attended Lake Forest schools from kindergarten through high school graduation, Monty is more than familiar with the strengths, weaknesses and culture of the school system. At a time when the District will need to replace its Superintendent and renegotiate its teacher union contract among other issues, Monty will be a uniquely experienced and capable addition to the LFHS Board.

Our schools are an important consideration for people choosing to make Lake Forest their home – they were for my family and me. We deserve to have the best people we can find to help guide the affairs of these important community assets.

The Lake Forest High School Mission is: “To inspire the passion to learn, the wisdom to know oneself and the courage to make a difference.” I am certain that the passion, wisdom and courage Monty Edson has demonstrated to me will be to the great and lasting benefit of the High School Board, the children attending the school, their parents, and the entire Lake Forest community.

David M. McDonough

Supports Bill Andersen for District 67

I am writing to strongly endorse Bill Andersen for the District 67 Board of Education.

My family has been friends with Bill’s for many years and I’ve also known him professionally for over a decade. He currently has three children in the public schools, two in District 67 and one in District 115. In his professional career, he has been a successful fund manager for over 20 years and currently has his own fund-management firm located in Lake Forest. Bill’s strong ethical standards, desire for excellence, and experiences as a parent, investor and business owner will serve him well on the School Board.  

Bill first expressed his interest in improving our local schools by serving on the Wellness Committee of District 67, which developed improved nutrition standards for the district and has eliminated junk foods from the school. The resulting new lunch program has both increased participation and improved financial performance. In addition, he has also spent the past two years as a community member of the Finance Committee.

His background as a security analyst and a business owner, along with his detailed knowledge of the district’s finances make him extremely qualified to make the tough decisions the district will face this year. Moreover, Bill is a good listener and by nature he seeks to work through consensus and collaboration.  His years of committee service prior to becoming a candidate show that he has the dedication, knowledge, and experience to hit the ground running upon his election to the District 67 School Board.

Two issues make this campaign especially important. First, the board will select a new superintendent later this year who will be expected to lead the district into the next era.  Second, economic issues including taxes, compensation and spending will need to be addressed by the board.  The debate about these issues has been contentious at times.

I am convinced, however, that these issues will be successfully addressed under Bill’s leadership because he fully understands the nexus between a superior educational environment and the overall vitality and attractiveness of our community, for both its residents and businesses alike. Bill believes it is important for the community to address the district’s challenges now, in a way which benefits our students and the entire community.

For these reasons, I strongly endorse Bill Andersen.  He has the right experience and the right personality to accomplish the important tasks facing the District 67 Board of Education.

Patrick Reinkemeyer

Supports Block, Snoblin and Edson for District 115

To the Editor:

I support Dick Block, Nicki Snoblin, and Monty Edson as the strongest, most qualified candidates for the Lake Forest High School District 115 Board. 

It’s been nearly eight years since I was first elected to the high school board, and it is hard to believe my time there is ending.

I am proud of what we have accomplished during those years. With the help of the community, we have expanded and improved LFHS to house its larger enrollment, supported staff development and planning, and lifted the quality of the education we provide our children to a higher standard of excellence. 

We also, fortunately, implemented cost efficiencies, including a shared services agreement among Districts 115, 65, and 67, which has significantly reduced our administrative expense; and the development of West Campus into a rent-producing asset. These actions have helped our district combat the recent economic downturn that reduced expected income from taxes, interest, and property development, as well as the state’s failure to meet its payment obligations to schools. 

We have made real progress in improving our high school. Keeping that momentum going while we address revenue shortfalls and superintendent change will require an effective board.

I think this election is important. I have worked closely with Nicki and Dick and have the greatest respect for their effectiveness on the Board, and the credentials they bring to it. I have reviewed all the candidates’ backgrounds and positions, and I believe Nicki Snoblin, Dick Block, and Monty Edson offer the best chance of helping LFHS stay on course.

Please join me and my husband, Sandy, in voting for community leaders Block, Snoblin, and Edson.

Marilyn Harlow

Endorses Hannah Emmanuele

Dear Editor:

I am writing in support of Hannah Emmanuele's candidacy for the Lake Forest
High School District 115 Board of Education.

The University of Chicago Medical Center is a world renowned academic medical center providing routine, specialty and tertiary medical care to over 400,000 inpatients and outpatients annually on the Hyde Park campus of the University of Chicago. As one of the largest employers in the Chicago metropolitan area and with revenues exceeding $1 billion annually, the Medical Center is well known for recruiting only high caliber Senior Management staff to its administrative team

As President of the Hospitals during Hannah Emmanuele's tenure, I am quite familiar with Hannah's impressive credentials, intellectual strength, problem solving and communication skills, and her dutiful and tireless work ethic.

Hannah began her work at the Hospitals while earning an MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business where she studied finance. After graduation, she conducted extensive and valuable work on significant strategic initiatives and corporate mergers, including the proposed combination of UCH with Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center, the integration of Weiss Hospital and several large physician groups,  the creation of Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine, among others.

As a member of my senior staff, Hannah enjoyed a broad set of experiences from planning, policy development, reimbursement strategy, budget reductions, work redesign, accreditation, regulations and licensure, financial modeling, contract negotiations, house staff affairs and more. This is a testament to Hannah's ability to think strategically, solve problems, develop creative solutions and craft expert communications in different arenas. She took on every responsibility and assignment that came her way enthusiastically and with great care and diligence, always remembering our core mission of patient-centered care.

During her tenure at the Hospitals, Hannah served as Secretary of the Board, an ex-officio Member of the Board of Trustees, which is a significant corporate officer and senior management position requiring deft skill. She was responsible for Board of Trustees relations, communications, presentations and annual planning retreats. She has a keen insight and sharp understanding of the process of governance, the fundamentals of transparency, oversight and accountability and the role of nonprofit governing boards.

Her professionalism in this area is of the highest caliber. I relied on Hannah extensively concerning Board of Trustees matters and she was widely respected and well received by some of Chicago's most important and respected corporate and civic leaders throughout her service. In recognition of her considerable talent and financial acumen, Hannah also was named Treasurer, Acting Chief Financial Officer and ex-officio member of the Board of Trustees.  As the UCH Treasurer, she was responsible for the financial arm of our $1 billion organization, including the financial condition, investment policy, investment portfolio management, auditing, bank relations, financial planning, among other traditional tasks.

Hannah also integrated the multi-year financial and strategic planning models to ensure prudent planning and management of all resources throughout our highly complex organization.

While she chose to leave our administrative team to raise her family, I would welcome Hannah back at any time. I have the highest regard for Hannah's abilities, intellect and passion in all her endeavors. Considering her impressive contributions and achievements at the hospitals, I am certain she would be an extraordinary asset to your community and the Lake Forest High School Board of Education and that this responsibility is well within her capability to perform quite well.

You would be extremely fortunate to have Hannah's Board experience, talent, insights, ability and professionalism advocating for the best interests of your children and serving your community.

Ralph Muller
Chief Executive Officer
University of Pennsylvania Health System

Clarification on Lake Forest Caucus, Mr. Finley

Dear Editor:

At the risk of being falsely accused again of “attempting to use the politics of personal destruction,” I must set the record straight about the letter from Aimee Messner and Jennifer Neubauer.

The Caucus sent an e-mail alerting voters to the letter below by Abbie Fassnacht. We included a link to a radio program which featured Mr. Finley and Tony Raymond, leader of a group called the Northern Illinois Patriots.

In that radio broadcast, when asked to describe the work Mr. Finley and Mr. Raymond had done together, Mr. Raymond stated, “Gary is among about 30 local candidates that we are developing…to get them connected with volunteers who can help support them, financially as well as walking, also helping them with templates on how to run a campaign…we’re bringing together some of those best learnings [sic] and equipping them with things like walk sheets…giving them what they need…and finally, once they’re in office, giving them a support network…”

Mr. Finley was present at that broadcast and did not dispute any of these statements.

We sent the e-mail because we were concerned that Mr. Finley was identifying himself as an “Independent” candidate with no mention of his support from this group. We simply wanted the voters to have the truth. The e-mail did not make any attempt to link “Gary to the tea party movement.” In fact, the e-mail doesn’t mention the Tea Party at all because whether Mr. Finley is a member of any political party is not relevant to the Caucus.

In an e-mail exchange between me and Mr. Finley, he denied receiving “funding” from this group, but admitted receiving in-kind assistance in the form of training and walking lists, which are lists prepared by political organizations to assist candidates in identifying sympathetic voters. I asked him to clarify whether the statements made by Mr. Raymond were accurate.

Mr. Finley did not respond to this request, but instead replied that he had told me the truth. Mr. Finley posted the following statement on his web site, “I am not being supported or funded by any political organization outside of Lake Forest,” and elsewhere has stated that “the Caucus has chosen to portray my candidacy in an untruthful way.”

We remain troubled that the public record and what Mr. Finley stated in an e-mail are not properly reflected on his campaign website. I urge voters to review this information and decide for themselves.

As to the assertion that the Caucus is ignoring important issues facing the schools, I also urge voters to visithttp://www.lfcaucus.com/candidates/bdofedinfo.asp to learn more about all our candidates’ positions on fiscal matters. You will also find additional biographical information there, along with positions on other issues of importance to the School Boards.

Further, you will find information on our selection process along with the names of the openly- elected residents of Lake Forest who chose the Caucus candidates and the names of others who support them. In other words, the kind of full, transparent disclosure we urge Mr. Finley to make.

The Caucus does not believe it is appropriate to accept support from an outside partisan political organization either before or after an election for a School Board seat. We believe these local offices should remain purely local. The voters may disagree, but we want them to have the facts before making that decision.

Mark Ventling, President, Lake Forest Caucus

Lake Forest Caucus and Mr. Finley

Dear Editor, Lake Forest Citizens and Voters:

We are truly saddened by the Lake Forest Caucus' attempt to use the politics of personal destruction against candidate Gary Finley, independent candidate for School Board (www.garyfinley67.com).

Instead of addressing the $1.5 million District 115 budget deficit (source: March 8th, District 115 Board of Education Meeting) or the tax increase approved by both Boards 67 and 115 (source: BOE Meeting Minutes, December 2010, www.lf67.org and www.lfhs.org), the Caucus has busied itself sending emails to its supporters, linking Gary to the tea party movement, and painting him as somehow outside the mainstream.

Gary is running for District 67 Board of Education in order to best serve Lake Forest tax payers and parents. On his website (www.garyfinley67.com),  Gary fully and openly addresses both School Boards' tax increase and other issues important to Lake Forest citizens. Gary Finley has stayed true to the issues during his campaign and we want him representing us on the School Board.

Maybe in subsequent emails or other publications, the Caucus will kindly address the issues, like the recent tax increases by both School Boards, rather than ignoring them or resorting to mudslinging to sink the honest candidacy of Gary Finley.

Aimee Messner, Jennifer Neubauer

Endorses Nicki Snoblin

 To the Editor:

Nicki Snoblin has been a highly effective member of the District 115 Board of Education for the past four years. With the economic challenges facing our schools and the inevitable changes that hiring a new superintendent will bring, I think it is critical to re-elect Nicki, who has shown a passion for the education of our young people and the ability to think critically about the issues that face us.

I have known Nicki for over 18 years, since our two eldest children were in third grade. I have worked with her in educational settings many times over these years: as parents in classrooms, on the Lake Bluff PTO Board, as a member of the LFHS Applause Board that she chaired, and as a community member of the LFHS Education Committee where she is a Board representative.

As a parent, Nicki has been actively involved in all the District 65 and 115 schools her two children attended. As a member of the LFHS Board of Education, Nicki has consistently stood for the best interests of all the students of Lake Forest High School.

As a small business owner in our community, Nicki is keenly aware of the preparation that LFHS students need to be successful in college and beyond. A skilled communicator, Nicki is a consensus builder and is very protective of the interests of all the stakeholders of LFHS. I believe that Nicki Snoblin is the ideal person to represent all of us on the LFHS Board of Education.

Beth Coughlin

Endorses Hannah Emmanuele

Dear Community Members of Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood,

We wholeheartedly endorse Hannah Emmanuele as a candidate for the Lake Forest High School District 115 Board of Education. We have known Hannah for nine years and can speak to her dedication as a parent, inquisitive mind, enthusiasm, and ability to articulate the issues facing education at the local, state, and national level.

Hannah is passionate about the quality of education our children receive, and she believes a significant opportunity exists for the School Board to consider many opportunities to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

Hannah is an eminently qualified candidate. Her remarkable children are a living example of the care and attention she commits to her ongoing work and responsibilities. Her four children attend Lake Forest High School and Deerpath Middle School, where she spends a great deal of time volunteering.

Moreover, Hannah has terrific business experience. Her strong analytical skills, sharpened in her work at the University of Chicago Hospitals as Treasurer and Acting CFO and as a member of the Board of Trustees, have prepared her to thoughtfully consider the decisions the Board makes for today and the implications of those decisions well into the future.

Significant challenges face Lake Forest High School. Among them are fiscal constraints which will necessitate doing more with fewer dollars; creating a learning environment which prepares our children to function in a global economy; and selecting a new superintendent to lead District 115 into the future.  To meet these challenges well, it is essential that parents of students coming into the school have a prominent voice on the Board.  Unless Hannah is elected, there will be NO high school parents on the District 115 Board of Education after next year.

Hannah believes, and we concur, that the Board should maintain an open dialogue with the teachers, parents, and members of the community, and that it should ensure that our children benefit from that dialogue.  Education of the highest quality should be a hallmark of the Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood communities.

Hannah is committed to and understands that well. Please join us in casting your vote for Hannah Emmanuele on April 5 - a vote for our chiildren, our schools, and our communities.

Susanna Bunta and Dr. Andy Bunta

Questions Gary Finley's Transparency

On his campaign website, Mr. Finley represents himself to Lake Forest voters as an “independent candidate” who would “ensure that we maintain local control over our schools.” His responses to questions posed by local news organizations and posted on his website do not disclose any outside groups associated with his campaign but repeatedly promise that if elected, he will “encourage transparency”. He has not filed any campaign disclosures required by State election laws, so one cannot discern who is supporting and funding his candidacy.

If Mr. Finley truthfully wanted to “encourage transparency,” he should be forthcoming about the outside political organization: “Northern Illinois Patriots”, from which he is receiving both support and funding. Mr. Finley recently made a joint appearance with Tony Raymond, director of Northern Illinois Patriots, on a talk radio show. He did not disclose his affiliation with this group during the broadcast.

However, after he concluded his remarks; Tony Raymond was more forthcoming. Mr. Raymond disclosed that Mr. Finley was one of the organization’s “30 candidates we are developing” with support, funding and campaign tools such as “walk sheets” (which typically list voter names, addresses and voting profiles). Mr. Finley may have been using those walk sheets when he knocked on Lake Forest voters’ door last weekend. Perhaps we can also expect his political patrons to bring outside groups of political organizers into our neighborhoods. When they come will they be transparent by telling us they don’t live here and who really is behind Gary Finley’s campaign?

Mr. Raymond also volunteered that once the Northern Illinois candidate is in office they will provide him a “support service” to use in his prospective new role on our District 67 Board. There is no mention of this on either Mr. Finley’s website nor in his newspaper interview responses. Instead he promises Lake Forest voters that he’s running for school board because he doesn’t want us “lose control of our schools”.

If this were true, why is he bringing in outsiders to attempt to wrest control from Lake Forest voters?   Our schools, like our city government, have long been ours alone to run. Is he OK with giving up control of our school board when it suits his political agenda? Just exactly what is his agenda?

Given Mr. Finley’s selective commitment to “transparency”, it is not surprising there’s more he is keeping from our voters. Hiding behind the nom de plume; “Disco Gary” he regularly indulges in a lack of transparency on the internet to reveal his real philosophy which is quite different from what he is promoting to our voters. Here are some examples revealed as “Disco Gary”.

He tells people this: “Ideology = One’s view of how society should be run. Politics = The struggle to get the power to force everyone else to live by your ideology”. Does Lake Forest want Gary Finley and his friends to force us to live by their ideology?

 Why would he seek to run our elementary and middle schools as a board member when he refers anonymously online to “parasitic institutions like public education”?

Do we share that view or do we cherish our schools and want to continue to make them better?

 Candidate Gary Finley needs to come clean about his views and who supports him. We don’t need outsiders with extreme views trying to take control of our schools.

He is last on the ballot. Please vote for the three top candidates: Bill Anderson, Lesley Fisher and Rick Schuler, to insure he and his cohorts are last in the election results as well.

 Abbie Fassnacht 

Lesley Fisher for School District 67 Board

I am writing on behalf of my dear friend, Lesley Fisher, to express my strong endorsement of her run for a position on the District 67 School Board.

Having known Lesley for most of my life, I can speak with conviction about her strength in character, her wealth of experience, and her deep commitment to our city and its students.

As a member of the Board, Lesley would most certainly bring a high level of integrity to the position.  She would approach her role on the Board as she does her life with honesty and sincerity. 

Lesley is an experienced educator.  After achieving her Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, she earned an additional degree in Educational Administration.  Lesley’s work experience includes four years as a devoted junior high teacher.  Her extensive knowledge of schools and education allows Lesley to be a tremendous advocate for our children. 

Lesley has deep roots in Lake Forest.  She is an alumnus of Sheridan, Deer Path and Lake Forest High School.  Currently she is the mother of three young children who are attending Everett school.  She is so committed to our schools and our students that Lesley recently served two years as Everett’s APT President successfully managing a board and working closely with the administration.

I have had the good fortune of knowing Lesley since we were in fifth grade together at Deer Path.  We feel so strongly that Lake Forest is a special place that we returned to raise our own children here.  It is important to us both that our schools remain strong and committed to our students.  Most importantly, Lesley is one of the most genuine people I know.  She is the type of person you would want to advocate for your children, and she would certainly always keep their best interests in mind.   I can state confidently that our community would absolutely benefit from her service on the Board. 

Stephanie Klein

Nicki Snoblin for District 115 School Board

I am writing to endorse Nicki Snoblin for reelection to the Lake Forest High School District 115 Board of Education.

Nicki has been nominated for a second term by the Lake Bluff School Caucus and endorsed by the Lake Forest Caucus. I have known and worked with Nicki for many years, and I believe she provides an invaluable voice of reason and experience on the Board.

Nicki has served on several other elected and appointed boards and committees as well, both in the schools and in the community. Her insight as a parent, an involved resident committed to public service, and a professional communicator all make her a valuable member of the District 115 board.

Given the ongoing search for a new school superintendent as well as the new economic reality all governing boards are facing, it is critical that we elect school board members with a proven ability to work as part of a team, a firm grasp of the role of the school board, and the perspective to take the long view.

Nicki has these abilities, along with a clear understanding of the needs of the students, the district, and the taxpayers. 

Please join me in casting your vote on April 5 for Nicki Snoblin for School District 115.

Susan Garrett
State Senator, 29th District

Support Rick Schuler for District 67 School Board

I am writing to you in strong support of Rick Schuler's candidacy and re-election to the District 67 School Board.

I have known Rick for many years, both as a professional colleague and as a family and community member of Lake Forest, and I find him to be a person with precisely the profile you are looking for in a board member.

Rick has a very established professional career and track record. As a former CEO and President he is used to displaying excellent analytical thinking, good critical judgment, intellectual honesty and interpersonal skills. He is a great team player and problem solver, seeks input, thoughtfully reviews complex issues to come to good and timely decisions and shows a great deal of humility.

As a family and community member, I consider Rick to be a very responsible, loving and engaged husband to his wife René and an excellent father to his two boys Ian and Owen. We have spent many days and evenings together as families. During these gatherings, we discuss the enormous need we have in keeping our schools competitive with international standards and to make sure that the United States does not continue to fall further behind in education.

We find it particularly concerning where the United States ranks among the top 30 industrialized countries, finding itself 21st in science education and 25th in math education. We find it unacceptable that some 43 percent of the 2010 high school students in the US are not ready for college-level math and another 29 percent are not ready for college-level science.

Fortunately, our District 67 is a shining exception to this statistic. A major reason why we moved to Lake Forest ten years ago was to be able to give our three children the best public school education possible. With one son at Sheridan Elementary School and two sons at Deerpath Middle School, we feel very blessed with the education they receive and we look forward to all our three boys graduating from Lake Forest High School.

In my role as Corporate Vice President and Chief Scientific Officer of a global healthcare company, I have a very strong interest in our schools' ability to provide our students with the kind of education they need to successfully compete in a global marketplace and to keep the United States at the forefront of innovation and discovery. To accomplish that goal, we need competent and caring teachers, administrators and boards.

It is my firm belief that our District 67 School Board will benefit immensely from the professional and personal attributes that Rick will bring to the many issues and challenges this board needs to deal with. Therefore, I enthusiastically support his candidacy.

Dr. Norbert Riedel

Support Leslie Fisher for District 67 School Board

I am writing to express my full support for Lesley Fisher’s nomination for a position on the District 67 School Board.  During the last two years, I have had the pleasure of working closely with Lesley on the District 67 APT Executive Board.  As we both hold positions as school APT Presidents, I have gotten to know her well by spending time on common school-related events, issues, and program enhancements.

Lesley is an exceedingly well-qualified candidate for the School Board on many levels.  She is a life long member of the Lake Forest community having graduated from Lake Forest High School. Lesley is a former middle school teacher and has a degree in Education Administration and masters in Curriculum and Instruction. In addition, she spends much time volunteering on the District 67 APT and is currently serving as Everett School’s APT President.

This combination of community knowledge, academic background and work and volunteer experience give her a very unique and well-balanced perspective on school matters. As a member of the APT Executive Board, I really value, and always count on, Lesley’s thoughtful and broad view on the various school matters that are discussed and addressed.

Lesley is very well respected in the local community and is a terrific leader and role model. She executes her APT responsibilities with honesty and integrity, and has developed a wonderful rapport with parents, teachers and school and district administrators. She is both a good listener and a good communicator, which will serve her well on the School Board. Her positive attitude makes it extremely easy and enjoyable to work with her, and she always approaches her work with common sense and calm.

I recommend Lesley for the District 67 School Board without reservation. Her prior experiences and knowledge, along with the close relationships she has built within the parent community, will make her a tremendous asset to the Board.  Her commitment and dedication to District 67 students and parents make her the perfect candidate. 

 Laurie Doherty

Support Lake Forest Caucus Picks for School Boards 67, 115

I’m writing to ask for the community’s support of the Lake Forest Caucus candidates for Districts 67 and 115 School Boards in the April 5 election.

Last fall, the Caucus considered numerous candidates for these Boards. After many hours of interviews and discussions, we chose three candidates for : Lesley Fisher, incumbent Rick Schuler, and Bill Andersen, and two candidates for District 115: incumbent Dick Block and B. Montgomery (Monty) Edson. I encourage all of the voters to read more about the Caucus School Board candidates at www.lfcaucus.com.

Consistent with our commitment to representation of Lake Bluff, Green Oaks, and the unincorporated areas of the District on the , we also support incumbent Nicki Snoblin, a Lake Bluff member of the District 115 Board, who was interviewed and recommended by the Lake Bluff Caucus.

We are proud of the candidates’ accomplishments and grateful for their willingness to serve.

Lake Forest enjoys strong public schools, aided by many dedicated volunteers who share their talents for the good of the entire community. For more than 75 years, the Lake Forest Caucus has facilitated the election and appointment of such dedicated volunteers to City government and the School Boards through an open, independent and non-partisan process.

All registered voters in Lake Forest are members of the Caucus, and each Ward elects their nine Caucus representatives for a staggered three year terms.

For the School Board elections, the Caucus continued its practice of striving to slate candidates for each Board position who bring something different to the table so that the whole can be greater than the sum of its parts. We selected candidates who represent varying demographics within our communities, both parents and also taxpayers who no longer use the school system.

We balance geographic diversity so candidates represent the entire community. Most importantly, we selected candidates with real-world experience in the academic and financial issues we know our schools and community will face in the coming years and with the temperament and judgment to work with their colleagues in tackling those issues without bias. The Caucus School Board candidates are ready to solve problems rather than create them.

What can you do to help? Please vote for the Caucus candidates to ensure Lake Forest schools maintain their strength and stability while continuing to improve the educational opportunity afforded our students. The Caucus candidates are the first three on each ballot.

Visit our website for information on Early Voting and Voting by Mail, especially if you are going to be away for Spring Break. Remember, the first 3 are the best 3 to put Lake Forest schools on top!

Mark Ventling, President, The Lake Forest Caucus

Dick Block for Lake Forest High School District 115 Board

The upcoming April 5 election is very important for our Community High School.  That's why I think it's critical we re-elect Dick Block to the Board of Education.

I've known Dick for over ten years, and I believe he has unique experience, knowledge and skills to help lead LFHS successfully through the significant challenges on the horizon. And the Lake Forest Caucus agrees (see Dick's bio at www.lfcaucus.com/candidates/bdofed.asp).

Dick's extensive business and civic leadership background will be needed as the school faces tough economic times - the renegotiation this Summer of its teachers’ union contract and the need next year to replace its Superintendent.

His past experience as president and COO of a Fortune 500 multi-national company, both directly with union negotiations and executive succession, will serve the community well.

Dick worked hard during his first term to serve taxpayers and children. He’s a strong and independent thinker who is not afraid to challenge the status quo.  Dick has a long history of successful community service in Lake Forest and Lake Bluff.

I urge you to vote with me on April 5 to re-elect Dick Block, No. 1 on the ballot, to the Lake Forest High School District 115 Board of Education.

Paul Friedland