In Their Own Words: Meet School Board Candidate Kelly B. Nowak

I'm a former bank vice president and mother of three daughters who attend District 304 schools. My husband and I have lived in Geneva for 17 years. I'm a photographer and writer, and the erstwhile author of a popular blog which chronicles life in our community. 

I'm seeking a second term on the board because I have a passion for learning, and I truly love this job. I've been an effective advocate for students, and have leveraged my experience to help shape an educational program which will secure their future success.

I've consistently supported cost-containment initiatives and encouraged the pursuit of supplemental resources to ensure the delivery of our educational programs is efficient and that we may remain good stewards of the resources entrusted to us by the community.

I weigh each decision I make in terms of the short- and long-term impact on taxpayers. My chief strength is a wealth of varied experience acquired in my professional career, and through my extensive volunteer activities.

I am a former Certified Cash Manager, and have held leadership positions on the boards of several local organizations. I am chairman of the board's Policy Committee, and vice chairman of the Illinois Association of School Boards (Kishwaukee Division). Last year, I attained my Master Board Member credentials. 

I believe our greatest challenge is to strike the appropriate balance between our academic programs and the constraints on our financial resources. It is crucial we identify opportunities to expand our course of study to better engage and challenge our students, even as we make prudent decisions which reflect the current economic reality.

The board must be responsible to all members of our community, and the difficult choices we make in the near term must be made thoughtfully.

Editor's note: Geneva Patch invited candidates in local contested races—for Park Board, School Board and City Council seats—to tell us a little bit about themselves in 300 words or less. Candidates also are invited to submit a final essay prior to the election.