Politics & Government

NLSD122 Candidate: Kathy Miller

Kathy Miller, of New Lenox, is running for a 2-year term of office on the New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education.

Running for a 2-year-term on the New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education is Kathy Miller, of New Lenox. 

Get to know Miller: She is the mother of son, Chris, age 23, successful graduate of both NLSD 122 and Lincoln-Way District 210

Miller's educational background:

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Bachelor's Degree from Northern Illinois University

Miller's Occupation and Employer:

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Self-employed - State Farm Insurance Agency established in 1985

What will be your single most important priority if you get elected?

The diminishing State funding is a constant challenge and I feel it's important that our Board continues to seek additional sources of funding to keep our District financially sound.

Why Are You Seeking Office?

In my current first term, I feel I've demonstrated that I can weigh out all the facts on an issue and make an educated decision based not only on the facts presented, but also on what is in the best interest for all parties involved in the District.  It also allows me the opportunity to give back my time and talents to a community which has given so much to me, both personally and professionally.

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

I feel my business background gives me a unique perspective on many of the issues facing the District.  It allows me to view all sides of an issue and make a decision on the facts presented with the only "agenda" being what is best for all members of the District.  I also feel it is very important to keep politics out of this non-partisan position.

How will you lend stability to the board?

I lend a sense of stability to the Board because I have the unique perspective of being a business owner, home owner, and parent of a successful NLSD 122 graduate. I work hard with administration and my fellow board members to ensure that we are all accountable for utilizing the financial resources to provide an excellent learning environment that our community will be proud of. I hold the Board to the task of maintaining our great schools and keeping politics out of education. 

How will you work to balance the budget?

 As mentioned earlier, I believe our biggest challenge is diminishing State funding.  We need to keep in contact with our State Legislators as well as keep the community informed as to how to be an Advocate for our District.  We need to keep searching for alternative sources of funding for our Schools.

How will you represent all taxpayers in the district?

Again, my background and current status of being a local business owner, tax paying Homeowner, and parent of a successful NLSD 122 graduate indicates that I represent many faces of the taxpayers in the District.

Other information pertinent to the campaign.

I feel the recent events of attempts to keep me off the ballot show my perseverance and that I will not tolerate being bullied. It's very important to me that the community understand that I personally funded all of my own legal fees surrounding the necessity to file a court appearance to have my candidacy reinstated on the April 9th ballot. I felt this was necessary to not only stand up to my accusers but also to protect my reputation that was attempted to be dragged through the mud. Being a Board Member is not about politics to me, it's about passion.

There are eight candidates running for 4-year terms. 

The incumbents for the 4-year term are: 

  1. Patrick Martino, incumbent
  2. Deborah Kedzior, incumbent
  3. Sue Smith, incumbent
  4. William Pender, who was initially appointed in August to fill the remaining  two years of a term left by resigning Member Sue Gillooley.

The four newcomers are:

  1. Thomas Hottinger
  2. Philip Adair
  3. Gregory Loock
  4. Rhonda Starklauf

The candidates running for a 2-year term are:

  1. Kathy Miller (incumbent)
  2. Todd Hyatt (write-in candidate)

ADD YOUR VOICE TO THE LOCAL DEBATE:Do you have something to say about the local election? Join Patch and post a Local Voices blog

VOTER INFO: To see your sample ballot, check if you are registered and find your designated polling location, go to the Will County Clerk's Precinct Lookup page. 

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