NLSD122 Candidate: Thomas Hottinger

Running for a 4-year-term on the New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education is Thomas Hottinger, of New Lenox.  

Get to know Hottinger. He and wife Erica have five children, the youngest being in 2nd grade.

Hottinger's educational background:

I graduated with a degree from Illinois State University in Political Science and I have been involved in public service for 20+ years. 

Hottinger's Occupation and Employer:

I am currently a Sgt at the Orland....overall  have 22 yrs of  Law Enforce experience with 18 of those being with OPPD. I started out in patrol and with hard work and dedication I advanced within the department going into TAC and then spending 5 years in the Det Division as a General Case Det. After 14 years on the job I was promoted to Sgt.

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

Right now, the reality is that the school board is divided and at odds. There is in house fighting and personal agendas on display. We need to shift the focus to the kids and the district goals. The focus should be the kids, education and the burden placed on the tax payers. A strong school board is a school board that is united. There has to be room for differences of opinion and every vote should not have to be unanimous, but there should be a mutual respect for each other trying to reach a common goal – the children's education. The school board’s votes should be based on personal differences or personal agendas.

Why Are You Seeking Office?

I decided to run for this position to utilize my education and experience to help serve the community where I am raising my family. I feel it is time for a change and I want to bring a new approach and new ideas to the Board. I have a child in 2 nd grade and therefore I want to be a part of his educational growth and I want to make a difference in the community. 

What sets you apart from the other candidates?

Having a son in 2nd grade means I have a vested interest in the school District  and the decisions the School board makes AND having raised 5 children in todays economy i understand why many of you feel like you are being taxed out of your homes. I do understand the economic hardship many of you face, but I also know that NLSD122 is one of the best districts in the State and that those high standards need to be kept. There needs to be a balance. WE need to handle the districts finances efficiently and responsibly while maintaining our excellent education system.

How will you lend stability to the board?

Recently I have developed concerns over the negative publicity that has drawn the attention of many voters. The focus should be on the kids, the education and the finances. I understand how the hard economic times have affected all of us, but at the same time we need to keep our schools operating at the high standards we have all come to expect. There needs to be a balance and I will work toward achieving that balance if elected.

How will you work to balance the budget?

I would look to provide a balance of all financial interests. I would look to make cuts or trim expenses only where it would not affect the students and look to ensure that the taxes are representative of the District. I would use my 22 years of law enforcement to add any needed input to area of school safety/ security.

How will you represent all taxpayers in the district?

I do understand that there are taxpayers who do not have children attending the schools and that their voice needs to be heard. With this in mind, I am committed to making a difference. My goal is to provide the best education while
maintaining fiscal responsibility to the taxpayers.

Other information pertinent to the campaign.

I am the football announcer for L-Way West Warriors football games as they are aired right here on your local New Lenox Cable TV. I previously served on a local youth athletics board that served approximately 500 kids in the community. Being on this board allowed me some insight into dedication and hard work that is needed to run an operation efficiently.

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)

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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.