Focus 4 the Future Candidates Continue to Receive Endorsements

As I look back on the last four years, my departure from the Pleasantdale School Board is going to be, without a doubt, bittersweet. I will miss looking out for the best interests of not only the families and children of our district, but more importantly serving the taxpayers.

I am confident that the district will be in very capable hands with conscientious and dedicated people like Kim Barker, Doug Gilman, Greg Sengpiel and Kristin Violante ready and willing to fill the shoes of the outgoing board.

I have poured over their web site and realize that many of their concerns were my concerns... out of control spending, teacher turnover, excessive legal fees, lack of transparency, etc. I also attended the candidates' forum and left there greatly impressed with their knowledge, articulation and plans for the future of our school district.

So while I leave to focus on my future, please give them the opportunity to serve you while focusing on the future of our school district.

Please help continue the legacy I leave behind by supporting Kim, Doug, Greg and Kristin in the April 9th Pleasantdale School Board election.

Karen O'Halloran
Pleasantdale School District Board Member
Willow Springs


We would like to endorse Kim Barker, Doug Gilman, Greg Sengpiel and Kristin Violante.
We have been residents of Willow Springs since 2008. We moved to Willow Springs so our kids can go to the Pleasantdale schools. During last 4 years we attended several of the Pleasantdale School Board meetings, and we noticed that while our schools are still doing great there is definitely need for some improvements. We are confident Kim Barker, Doug Gilman, Greg Sengpiel and Kristin Violante will bring passion, energy, accountability, responsibility and their communication experience to the Pleasantdale School District.

Sincerely,
Beata Busza & Dariusz Ciucias
Willow Springs


I have known Kim Barker, who is the proud mother of two wonderful Pleasantdale boys, for the past six years. I have personally witnessed Kim’s commitment to the Pleasantdale school community, and her strong desire to positively impact the academic and social lives of all Pleasantdale children. She is a true professional and an effective communicator who understands the importance of providing kids all the resources and tools to be successful throughout their lives. Kim’s mission to further improve the “school experience” is nothing but genuine, and there’s no doubt her passion is real and heart is in the right place. I strongly support Kim Barker to become a member of the Pleasantdale School Board, and know that she will do an outstanding job.

Dave Dowd
Willow Springs


I can’t think of a better person to represent the interests of the entire community on the Pleasantdale School Board than Kim Barker.

Whenever there is a family in need Kim is quick to step in to organize whatever needs to be done. Some examples are orchestrating a recent meal drive, spearheading a sports equipment exchange, organizing a bake sale to raise money for a needy family or advancing a ribbon campaign to remind residents of a sick child. When crime was on the rise, she emailed all the neighbors to be mindful of their surroundings. She is not afraid to put herself out there or ask tough questions and does not go with the flow because it is the popular thing to do.

Kim spends many hours volunteering for school committees and sports teams. She rarely misses a school board meeting even though she isn’t on the school board. She is passionate about children and education.

Kim knows how important it is to be careful with tax dollars and mindful of wasteful spending since she too is a taxpayer in this community.

I think Kim Barker’s values represent what I would like to see in a school board member: kind, compassionate with good family values. I believe it takes a village to raise a child and she is the kind of person I am proud to have in my village. Kim and her running mates, Doug Gilman, Greg Sengpiel and Kristin Violante will make a strong addition to the board and will bring a clear focus for the future of District 107.

Jolene Carlson
Willow Springs