After 16 years of service, Laurie Christophersen leaves her post as Emmons School District Board of Education president. Ms. Christophersen has not only witnessed her grandchildren’s growth through the Emmons School District but has also been a participant in the evolution of the district through this period of time. Her dedication to serving the students and the broader community of Emmons has been unwavering. Here, she passes on some words of wisdom and rich institutional knowledge from her tenure on the board.
- What historical changes have you witnessed in Emmons history over the past 16 years?
- The creation of a full day Kindergarten.
- Attaining and maintaining financial stability with state recognition.
- Installation of school wide air conditioning systems , providing our students a more comfortable environment for learning.
- The addition of the Ron Clark House System for students.
- Implementing board governance standards and achieving successive Board Governance Awards from Illinois Association of School Boards.
- Creation of Preschool for All program, providing opportunity for early education of young children.
What advice would you give a citizen that is considering running for a school board position?
Serving on the school board is an excellent way to connect with your community and students through this civic engagement. It requires a good amount of time and the willingness to work as a team member, be open minded to listen to other perspectives, and have the ability to engage in discussions concluding with a group consensus. It is important to take advantage of all the resources and training for board member development. And always be able to answer: “Do we have a policy on this topic?”
What are you most proud of from your years of service at Emmons School District?
Watching students grow from Kindergarten through Middle School by providing the means for the most important end — a well rounded student. I was always proud to sign diplomas and shake hands at the graduation ceremony.
What have you learned about civic leadership from serving on the Board of Education?
Whether large or small school district like Emmons, has the same operational requirements. The board is responsible for seeing that the district is run by highly skilled professionals. A good board/superintendent relationship is pivotal to achieving and maintaining a high performing school.
What do you hope to see as the future of Emmons School District?
Moving forward, I hope the board continues to follow good board governance practices in order for the district to continue its excellence. Essentially, I hope the board values the students and community with a strong belief in public education and educational success.
