Election 2013: Kristin Fitzgerald

Name: Kristin Fitzgerald

Position sought: District 203 School Board

Campaign contact information—

• Website: www.electfitzgerald.com
• E-mail address: kristin@electfitzgerald.com
• Phone: 630.864.8738
• Address: 1465 Briergate Drive

Age: 41

Family (name, relationship and age):  I am a widow. My husband passed away four years ago from cancer. I have three daughters who attend District 203 schools, Nora age 10, Maggie age 8, and Lucy age 6.

Education (degree and school): Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Taylor University, 1993

Occupation: Principal of Fitzgerald Consulting, a health policy firm.  Since my husband's death four years ago, I have curtailed much of my consulting work to focus on my children, their education, and advocating for cancer research.

Previous elected offices: None

Applicable experience qualifying you for the position:

My involvement with our school district began in 1993.  As education policy advisor to our Naperville Representatives in the U.S. Congress, I worked with the Naperville education community to represent our outstanding schools in federal education policy matters.

I have been active as a school volunteer since 2008 when the first of my three daughters began kindergarten in District 203.  Nominated by the teachers at my children's school, I received District 203's "Those Who Excel" Award in 2012.  I currently serve as a member of the School Improvement Team, Co-Chair of SFCP, Committee Chair of Home and School, as well as a classroom volunteer and room parent.

The education of our children is one of the most important responsibilities we have as a community.  With my federal education policy experience and my volunteer involvement in our district, I hope to contribute a unique perspective to the Board of Education.  Running for the Board gives me the opportunity to make a greater contribution to our community and I am dedicating myself to working to ensure the success of our students and our community.

My number one goal is to work with the community to set educational priorities for our schools that ensure each student's success and the academic and financial future of our district.  Our district is working to implement many changes -- new curriculum, assessments and programming,  and we have growing financial challenges.  However, by prioritizing our most important goals we can ensure our academic and financial success and continue our district's outstanding track record.

The combination of my federal education policy experience and my day-to-day volunteer involvement with academic achievement in our district sets me apart from other candidates and gives me a uniquely qualified perspective.   As a part of my commitment to learning the environment at each school, I have made it a priority to go to each school and neighborhood to talk to parents, administrators and teachers about their thoughts.   This commitment also sets me apart.

I have lived in Naperville seven years.  However, my connection to Naperville began in 1993 when I worked for six years as education policy advisor to our Naperville Representatives in the U.S. Congress.  There I worked with the administrators, educators and community members in our district to help represent our outstanding Naperville schools in federal education policy matters.

Our school district is one of Naperville's treasures.  Bright students, dedicated teachers, strong administrators, caring parents and an engaged community combine to make our schools outstanding.  I am proud of the way our community gives of our time and resources to make our schools what they are and I look forward to continuing to work together to ensure the success of our students and our community.