LMK Election Guide 2023

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It ’s time to vote. Here’s what you need to know

All democracy is local

And as we move toward the spring elec tions for village, school, library leaders, the Riverside-Brookeld Landmark is o ering you this Election Guide. That coverage comes in print today and, more expansively at RBLandmark.com.

This year we have pro led many candidates in contested elections, and we’ve also sent detailed questionnaires to every candidate in a contested race. The answers to our questions are presented here in this Election Guide, which was designed by Javier Govea, our editorial design manager.

Let’s start with the candidates.

There is something brave and generous, only occasionally ego-driven, that leads a local person to run for local o ce. Growing Community Media has been watching for 43 years and our observation is that with a dud once in a while, with people we have disagreed with on policy, that in our non-partisan elections almost all candidates run because they care about

the schools, have a vision for the librar y, are committed to better village services or holding taxes or growing equity.

Or all of the above

As you read these pages of questions and answers from each of these candidates know that there is a lot on the line this year.

Your vote truly matters

Do you plan to early vote? The details on how to do it are just below.

And don’t miss the digital version of this Election Guide on our RBLandmark.com website. The Q&As are there in longer versions. Thanks to Stacy Coleman, our digital manager, for building out these sites.

Finally, this expanded coverage is possible because of a donation to our Growing Community Media nonpro t from the Good Heart Work Smar t Foundation. It has allowed us not only to fund our election reporting and create this guide but also to widely increase our circulation for this issue of Wednesday Journal.

Almost time for early voting

Here’s how and when you can vote

For the April 4 Consolidated Election – school board, village boards, park and library boards -- early voting starts March 20 and continues through April 3. Courtesy of the Cook County Clerk’s o ce we have all the early voting locations in our area and the hours when you can vote

What do you need to vote early?

Voters do not need to provide an excuse or reason why they cannot vote on Election Day.

Government-issued photo ID is not required but is helpful if there is a question about the voter’s registration, address or signature. Providing an ID can also speed up the process because we have ID card readers at every check-in station.

You can also register to vote at all the early voting sites. However,

any voter who needs to register for the rst time or le an address change must present two forms of ID, one of which shows the voter’s current address.

Voting equipment

Early voting is conducted on touch screens that store every ballot style in the county, permitting any voter in suburban Cook to vote at any location. Your ballot will remain secret and securely stored.

Early voting records

The names of all early voters are available to the public and are updated each day during Early Voting. Please call (312) 603-0900 for early voting information.

In-person voting only

Voters who participate in early voting must vote in person.

We are mailing a paper this week to additional homes and apartments in Nor th Riverside, where there is a contested municipal election this year. These are people who do not regularly receive the paper. We hope they will be motivated to vote, and, yes, we hope they will consider subscribing to our weekly print edition or become a donor on our digital side.

This election is in your hands. Educate yourselves on the issues and the candidates. And then seize the power of your vote.

Dan Haley EDITOR AND PUBLISHER Growing Community Media

EARLY VOTING LO CATIONS (APRIL 4, 2023 C ONSOLIDATED GENERAL ELECTION)

IL 60525 Monday-Friday

Why we no longer endorse candidates

Since 2020 Growing Community Media has been a nonpro t news organization. Because of that change we operate under regulations set by the Internal Revenue Service. Among those IRS require-

ments is the rule that as a nonpartisan 501(c)3 nonpro t that we are no longer permitted to endorse speci c candidates for o ce

That ended our long-standing process of interviewing all local

candidates and o ering endorsements. In lieu of that we have stepped up our information gathering and reporting on the candidates and are presenting that to voters in this Election Guide.

SEE COMPLETE ELECTION GUIDE ONLINE

The early voting locations listed here are for Suburban Cook County voters only. If you live in the City of Chicago please visit chicagoelections.gov for their Early Voting locations

Jessica Mackinnon ELEC TION COORDINATOR Riverside-Brook eld Landmark

How will the pension burden of adding six re ghters/paramedics over the ne three years be absorbed in future budgets?

The decision to remove private paramedics was the popular decision, but it may not have been the nancially correc one made in the last 40 years Six more remen aren’t going to be hired, it will require 9-10 to make up for 6 contract paramedics. The pension costs will be unsustainable and layo s for recreation and public works are going to happen. Ways to generate more revenues must be found.

Would you support reinstalling red light cameras, which produce more than $1 million in revenue, at Harlem and Cermak once the intersection is improved this year? If not, how do you believe North Riverside can make up for that loss of revenue?

The village should do everything possible to keep red light cameras; the revenue comes mostly from non residents and pays pensions. The loss is devastating, and the elected o cials should have, and could have gone to Springeld to try and stop its removal.

NORTH RIVERSIDE VILL AG E BOARD (7 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

We need all the revenue we can get, especially with the hiring of so many more employees. The revenue from non-residents is essential. I believe the capping of xisting licenses to 10 hinders the Village. Revenue streams like this are important. Important to taxes and fees that go to the Village. mportant for the business owners that operate these establishments. Placed in the proper location, it would be a win/win.

Would you support a referendum asking for the Village to become a home rule community? Would you support seeking home rule status for the Village?

We need home rule to create more necessary revenue. However, that is a question that should be proposed to the resident. Also, responsible o cials need to be elected to oversee it properly. Transparency is key for this board to succeed.

Would you support a referendum seeking to impose a tax levy to fund police and/or re pension obligations? Would you support a pension levy referendum?

How will the pension burden of adding six re ghters/paramedics over the next three years be absorbed in future budgets?

Let’s not forget that it was always the position of the VIP/ United Party to continue with PSI [Paramedic Services of Illinois]. They waged a ve-year war against the re ghters from 2014 through 2019. They lost at every turn and cost the taxpayers an estimated million in attorney fees. During this same period, we were promoting bringing paramedic services in-house, using the Silver Spanner program and saving the citizens of North Riverside an estimated $100,000 per year

Making up for loss of revenue is ALWAYS a multipronged approach. The current Administration has never properly approached the budgeting process All they have ever done is spend and mis-manage. All budgetary line items must be researched and scrutinized. We should look for budget SAVINGS FIRST, before we automatically look for increased revenues.

How do you believe the Village should determine the best use for the former Presbyterian church property at 24th Street and 8th Avenue? Should the Village keep it? If so, for what purpose? If not, why not?

SEE

Would you support the addition of a cannabis dispensary in the Village? If yes, where should it be located? Are there any speci c expenses that the Village should prioritize using cannabis tax revenue?

The Village should do everything in its power to have dispensaries. The revenue is necessary, and non-residents will be ones mostly using them if they are placed in the right location. More revenue that comes from non-residents, the better--that fact keeps our taxes lower.

In the absence of a cannabis dispensary, would you support an expansion of video gambling parlors? How would you respond to those who believe these parlors should be limited to the existing 10?

The tax levy referendum needs to be voted on up or down. The de cit is unsustainable. I believe we are near crisis mode and need to make decisions as such. The elected o cials need to kick it into gear and nd ways to plug the leak

How do you believe the Village should determine the best use for the former Presbyterian church property at 24th Street and 8th Avenue? Should the Village keep it? If so, for what purpose? If not, why not?

The property should be eventually be made a recreation center for the residents when it can get the grants to construct it. In the mean time, it should be a temporary site for recreation activities as it is now.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

There appears to be no reason why these annual savings will not hold up; even after the expense of employing an additional three (not six) re ghters with their salary, bene ts and pension costs. It is also my understanding that the administration botched grant applications that were available to help pay for new re ghters over a three-year period. We must look into these grants once again. If the program is properly implemented, there will be a cost savings to the Village. These savings must be documented and earmarked for very speci c uses, and not just absorbed into the general fund where, as history tells us, they will be mismanaged by the current administration.

Would you support reinstalling red light cameras, which produce more than $1 million in revenue, at Harlem and Cermak once the intersection is improved this year? If not, how do you believe North Riverside can make up for that loss of revenue?

If you follow the news; red-light cameras remain controversial for a number of reasons; and continue to be both a blessing and a curse on all communities that use them. Relying on this elusive revenue source is a mistake to begin with.

Once Again - THEY LIED (your VIP / UNITED PARTY administration). In 2020, while the Village was languishing in debt, with a deplorable bond rating, and heading headlong toward bankruptcy, your Administration spent $600,000 of your money to purchase the abandoned church and demolish it. There was NO feasibility study, NO plan and NO PUBLIC INPUT. Then they LIED and stated that they got a state grant to fund the project. Three years later and they still can’t substantiate that claim. Why? Because they lied. If they had any competence and they had $600,000 laying around; why didn’t they pay down some of the pension debt? It’s three years later and we still have NO PLAN. I am open to citizen input and professional analysis to determine if a realistic approach for public uses of the property can be achieved. Otherwise, perhaps it is time to try to recover the funds that we lost from this lunacy. Have the property appraised and seek bids from developers for a residential development that would put the property back on the tax rolls.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

JOSE DEL ANGEL

MARYBELLE MANDEL

NORTH RIVERSIDE VILLAGE BOARD (7 CANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS)

How will the pension burden of adding six re ghters/paramedics over the next three years be absorbed in future budgets?

We must know where we stand to begin to move forward. Successful businesses conduct audits to ensure operations are running e ciently and to appropriate funds for essential projects. This is the rst step for all nancial undertakings. In the shor t term, it is important to develop innovative strategies to prevent any additional tax burden on the residents from a reduction in revenue from pension obligations or the loss of the red-light cameras. With such a plan in place, any funds collected from red-light cameras, once approved, would be reserved to decrease the current debt. Fur ther, in-house paramedic services will provide timely cost-savings in the interim.

Would you support reinstalling red light cameras, which produce more than $1 million in revenue, at Harlem and Cermak once the intersec tion is improved this year? If not, how do you believe North Riverside can make up for that loss of revenue?

As stated, developing a variety of methods to compensate for the loss of proceeds from red-light cameras, as well as pension obligations, is key. Creating innovative strategies to form new streams of revenue, investigating current programs for best use and viabilit y, and researching grants, government programs, and fundraisers would not only lessen our dependence on the red-light cameras, but an approval for reinstalling the red-light cameras would provide revenue to decrease the debt

Would you support the addition of a cannabis dispensary in the Village? If yes, where should it be located? Are there any speci c expenses that the Village should prioritize using cannabis tax revenue?

S ome potential sources of revenue, a cannabis dispensar y or more video gaming parlors, require additional forethought due to the sensitive nature of such matters. Resident input would allow greater autonomy to build the Village into a cohesive whole. The establishment of regular neighborhood meetings would provide a forum for residents to address concerns and ideas prior to issues arising. As such, establishments would be located in a commercial distric t, suggestions to improve these areas would be constructive as well

Would you support a referendum asking for the Village to become a home rule community? Would you suppor t seeking home rule status for the Village?

Home rule, I feel, suppresses the voice of the residents and provides the local government with more laxity in making decisions resulting in increased taxes and approving referendums without voter input. I would not support a home rule referendum.

How do you believe the Village should determine the best use for the former Presbyterian church proper ty at 24th Street and 8th Avenue? Should the Village keep it? If so, for what purpose? If not, why not?

The best use for the former Presbyterian church proper ty, now the vacant lot at 24th Street and 8th Avenue, is residential proper ty development. The sale of the proper ty would o set the expenses incurred, not add to the current debt, and increase tax revenue. Through addressing this issue, as well as other concerns, with an innovative, business-oriented mindset, may we develop a strong Village for all.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

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SANDRA GREICIUS

How will the pension burden of adding six re ghters/paramedics over the next three years be ab sorbed in future budgets?

Since my tenure on the village board began, I have committed myself to making sure that the village pays it re quired contribution toward pension payments. With these new hires in place, I will work to ensure that the village avoids taking pension holidays and continues to fund the ongoing pension costs year over year. With the onboarding of these new hires, the cost will be minimal due to these employees just starting their careers with North Riverside. As we continue to keep funding the pensions every single year at the required level, we should be able to keep up with our pension payments, so there will not be as much a strain on our annual budget.

Would you support reinstalling red light cameras, which produce more than $1 million in revenue, at Harlem and Cermak once the intersection is improved this year? If not, how do you believe North Riverside can make up for that loss of revenue?

Yes, I am personally in favor of the red light cameras being reinstalled at that intersection once the improvements have been made. They seem to be generating revenue because there is an in ux of drivers who are frankly disobeying the law and continually avoiding stopping at these lights. We don’t have the resources to position an o cer at this intersection at all hours of the day. As much as people don’t like the concept of red light cameras, it’s been determined that the intersection of Harlem and Cermak is one of the most heavily tra cked intersections in the state of Illinois. This is why IDOT is committed to changing out the signals and reworking lane con gurations in an attempt to make the intersection safer as a whole.

NORTH RIVERSIDE

VILL

AG E BOARD (7 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

ooking at the amount of violations handed out by the cameras at that intersection alone, you can clearly see that tra c control methods like this are essential for the safety of residents. Placement of a red light camera at this inersection will hopefully continue to assist with deterring drivers from not stopping / speeding through these lights and hopefully avoid serious accidents in the future.

Do you believe that it is impor tant to continue the major project of improving the Cermak Road water main west of First Avenue? If so, how can the Village fund this work, which has cost almost $500,000 for each of its rst three phases?

How will the pension burden of adding six re ghters/paramedics over the next three years be absorbed in future budgets?

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

It is important for the village to continue this project. A project of this undertaking is essential for creating the right amount of pressure needed on the farthest section of town away from the stand pipe. We discussed as a board this project and we knew it would be a multiyear commitment. That is the reason why our current water rates are high. The board discussed the increase in water rates in order to cover those capital expenditures. Our water rate has been set to take care of the operating de cit in that fund. We have been operating this fund for 20 years and this is the rst time we are operating in the black, as opposed to the red. Not only have we replenished our de cit, we have actually built up a surplus of funds to cover unexpected projects. So, with that being said and with this project in mind, I feel we are able to handle the remaining phases of this project.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

After sitting through the last two years of budget meetings, I’ve seen how di cult it can be to make some of those hard decision. Figuring out ways to limit our pension liability will be one our biggest challenges for North Riverside. As a current trustee on the Fire pension board for nearly 2 years, I can understand the funding, contribution, and liability of both sides. One way to fund the pensions could be through contract negotiations. Making decisions during contract negotiations that bene t the village and its re ghters is. Also, continuing to explore what works best for other neighboring communities is a good idea. We are not the only town dealing with this. As hard as it will be, I believe the appropriate decisions can be made if all of the trustees bring ideas to the conversation.

Would you support reinstalling red light cameras, which produce more than $1 million in revenue, at Harlem and Cermak once the intersection is improved this year? If not, how do you believe North Riverside can make up for that loss of revenue?

Yes, I am a proponent of the redlight cameras. There are a few reasons why I believe they are important. Many residents may not know this but in an emergency, those 24-hour cameras serve as eyes for the police department. They assist in tra c accidents and can be used for investigative purposes Another important reason is that red-light cameras serve as revenue generators. I understand that red light cameras can be unpopular when we address them as revenue generators, but they are. I’m sure many residents have been in a situation where they wish a police o cer was around to catch reckless driving. The surveillance is available to watch online if a ticket is generated, which seems straight forward. If you run the light, do not yield to tra c signs or almost run over a pedestrian, you should expect a ticket. I think most people tend to slow down or are more observant if a police o cer is next to you or if they notice the red-light camera.

Would you support the addition of a cannabis dispensary in the Village? If yes, where should it be located? Are there any speci c expenses that the Village should prioritize using cannabis tax revenue?

Yes, absolutely. Allowing a business that is regulated by the state, while generating some astronomical tax revenue dollars for many communities, could be a great idea. Having the proper procedures and protocols in place is key. Creating an ordinance that makes the most sense is the rst step. A dispensary would best be suited in our business district to keep tra c at a minimum and more visual to tra c. One of our neighboring towns is estimating a sales tax revenue of $250,000 per year from a cannabis dispensary. If we are able to acquire a cannabis dispensar y, I would like to see the revenue earmarked towards current and future pension obligations. Having a plan is always going to be the key to our success Knowing what we will do with the revenue is very important to keep chipping away at current liabilities.

In the absence of a cannabis dispensary, would you support an expansion of video gambling parlors? How would you respond to those who believe these parlors should be limited to the existing 10?

I support an expansion of video gaming parlors that are limited to our business district; rezoning our business district to keep additional parlors out of residential areas. Video gaming generated $476,605.48 for the Village of North Riverside for year 2022. The police chief of has mentioned numerous times that the Police Department does not get many, if any, calls from these establishments. The crime is lower than some may think, and the Village is bene ting from the liquor license fees on top of the monthly revenue they generate.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

NICHOLAS TRICOCI

DEBORAH A. CZ AJKA

How will the pension burden of adding six re ghters/ paramedics over the next three years be absorbed in future budgets?

With the addition of Fireghter/Paramedics this is more people contributing to the pension fund. Newer employees are not paid top pay as are the employee’s salary is less than retiring employees along with new employees contributing to the pension fund will either o set or be a plus to the fund. Another big that the Village will save on overtime

Would you support reinstalling red light cameras, which produce more than $1 million in revenue, at Harlem and Cermak once the intersection is improved this year? If not, how do you believe North Riverside can make up for that loss of revenue?

I am in favor of the red light camera, not only for revenues but for the safety that comes with it. People who may think of going through a red light or turn on the red light will think twice. The red light camera will reduce accidents and injury.

Do you believe that it is important to continue the major project of improving the Cermak Road water main west of First Avenue? If so, how can the Village fund this work, which has cost almost $500,000 for each of its rst three phases?

I would want to see a project that was started get completed. Seeing that this was a planned project that started over 6 years ago I have to look further into the project plans. With large projects like this there is sometimes state funding available. There are also other funding options that may be available

Would you support the addition of a cannabis dispensary in the Village? If yes, where should it be located? Are there any speci c expenses that the Village should

NORTH RIVERSIDE VILL AG E BOARD (7 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

prioritize using cannabis tax revenue?

I would support an adult cannabis dispensary. I think it should be located in an area with high tra c such as Cermak Road. The Village can bene t the most by people purchasing the cannabis. The additional income can be used for many things within the Village. It can be used to guarantee the great services that the Village currently has and provide additional services to keep the Village safe.

In the absence of a cannabis dispensary, would you support an expansion of video gambling parlors? How would you respond to those who believe these parlors should be limited to the existing 10?

I believe the amount we have in Village now is good. But I have an open mind to discuss this further. If it would greatly bene t the village then I would agree.

Would you support a referendum seeking to impose a tax levy to fund police and/or re pension obligations? Would you support a pension levy referendum?

I would like to do more research on this matter. If the bene t would be that the Village can add more police and re personal that is always a plus

How do you believe the Village should determine the best use for the former Presbyterian church property at 24th Street and 8th Avenue? Should the Village keep it? If so, for what purpose? If not, why not?

I believe that the Village should sell to developers so that houses can be built. If the parcels can be subdivided there is a good chance that the sale would bring a pro t to the Village Also, once the houses are built, it will be additional tax revenue to the Village

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

How will the pension burden of adding six re ght ers/paramedics over the next three years be absorbed in future budgets?

Now that North Riverside has brought the paramedics in-house, like so many other municipalities, it will be able save a lot of money on not paying the overtime to a third party private company for the services that we all rely on. After a ve-year battle against the re ghters at a cost to taxpayers of around $1 million in legal fees, and lost, North Riverside will have its re ghters and in-house paramedics.

Would you support reinstalling red light cameras, which produce more than $1 million in revenue, at Harlem and Cermak once the intersection is improved this year? If not, how do you believe North Riverside can make up for that loss of revenue?

As a driver, I hate red-light cameras--who doesn’t? Unfortunately, due to North Riverside’s nancial shortcomings, the red-light camera at the Harlem/Cermak intersection served a purpose. The revenue it generated helped pay the police/ re pensions. There is this misconception that red-light cameras help make an intersection safe --they do not. All they are good for is to be a cash register for the city or municipality that installs them. As time goes by, that city or municipality heavily relies on that revenue because that camera did not x anything-all it does is allow that city or municipality spend more frivolously. In the end, the reason for why it was implemented gets drowned out by more debt

Would you support the addition of a cannabis dispensary in the Village? If yes, where should it be located? Are there any speci c expenses that the Village should prioritize using cannabis tax revenue?

Personally, I am not in favor of a dispen-

sary. In a small town such as North Riverside, this is not warranted. We need to work on growing the community with destinations that families want to go to I think a dispensary cheapens our little town. I don’t want NR to be ‘that town.’ it does prevail, the location will have to be chosen very carefully, somewhere away from schools and children!

Now from a government aspect, I understand the argument NR needs money. If and when it comes down to a vote, and if it were to pass, the money would have to be earmarked for pension payments or paying down the debt

Would you support a referendum asking for the Village to become a home rule community? Would you suppor t seeking home rule status for the Village?

Absolutely not! By allowing Home Rule we give our governing body a blank check to mismanage. This governing body does not understand what it means to spend within your means. Home Rule would be enabling their spending problems.

How do you believe the Village should determine the best use for the former Presbyterian church property at 24th Street and 8th Avenue? Should the Village keep it? If so, for what purpose? If not, why not?

This should not have been purchased by North Riverside. We did not have the money then, and we sure need that money now. From a business point of view, sell the property to a developer and make sure the land is zoned for residential single-family housing North Riverside needs to recoup as much out-ofpocket expense as it can from this huge mistake.

JOSEPH MARUSK A

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD HIGH SCHOOL D208 (2 C ANDIDATES FOR ONE 2 -YEAR TERM )

Why are you running for the board of Riverside Brook eld High School? What motivates you and what experience and perspectives would you bring to the job? How would these valuable as an elected o cial?

I have been a member of the Riverside Brook eld High School Board for approximately 9 years

When there was a vacant position on the board in 2021, I volunteered and was appointed. I am running for a two-year position to continue my community volunteer work and to help look after our high school, which is one of the jewels of our community.

As a school board member, how will your values inform your approach to budgeting and scal planning?

Each year that I have been on the RBHS board, I have been a member of the advisory

nance committee. When I was rst elected, the school was in a structural de cit; meaning we were spending more than the esources our community were providing to us. Over the years, have helped steer the school’s nances in the correct direction. During my time on the board, I believe we have had a balanced budget each year. I am running for the board to continue my oversight of behalf of our community and hope to continue having balanced budgets.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing District 208 and how should the school board address them?

Each challenge that comes to the RBHS board must be addressed. This is what the board does Providing the best education for our students should always been our goal

Why are you running for the board of Riverside Brook eld High School? What motivates you and what experience and perspectives would you bring to the job? How would these be valuable as an elected o cial?

I am running for a seat on the Board of Ed for RBHS be cause I feel as the parent of a current student, I have an understanding of the day-to-day activities within the school. I also understand how di cult it can be to motivate students at this point in their life to take advantage of all the oppor tunities available to them and want to help RBHS bridge that gap. In addition, in my career, I interpret federal regulations and guidelines on a daily basis and that experience is applicable at the school board level. As board members, we need to stay abreast of changes in state and federal policies that a ect schools and pivot to implement changes with minimal guidance and often a lack of funding Finally, as a resident of North Riverside, I feel it is impor tant our village have a voice on the board; I want to be sure that the students and families of Komarek, the smallest feeder school into RB, have someone who can advocate on their behalf.

Do you believe it is necessary for RBHS to do more to better serve all students?

If so, what areas need improvement?

Do you believe that RBHS focuses too much attention on one area? How can RBHS better prepare students for college and/or career?

I believe RBHS provides many services to its students, but there is always room for improvement. One area that needs improvement is with the community at large. If you have a student in the school, it is easier to stay informed of the happenings at the school. However, before my own children attended RBHS, it was not easy to nd out about events the high

school was sponsoring or the services they o er. In addition, ensuring that the information eadily available to Spanishspeaking families in the area is important too. The school has made some recent improvements in this area but it should continue to take steps to maintain that progress.

I also feel my experience as a college administrator provides me with some perspective on what high school graduates need to be successful once they leave the halls of RBHS. Whether they decide to attend post-secondary education, enter the trades, or join the workforce, I have practical experience in working with 18 to 22-year-olds and helping them navigate those rst post-high school steps. I look forward to nding ways to work with RBHS faculty, administrators and sta to prepare students for lives of signi cance once they graduate.

As a school board member, how will your values inform your approach to budgeting and scal planning?

Fiscal responsibility is a strong value of mine. From my experience as a Komarek School Board Member, I learned rst-hand how important it is to utilize every dollar in the most coste ective way possible. Many people might not realize how dependent our local schools are on property tax dollars and that the timing of those bills directly a ects schools. In addition, making cost e ective choices might not be the popular choice, but are necessary to maintain the scal health of the school. As a board member I will continue to make choices that are cost-e ective without giving up the quality education the community has come to expect from RBHS.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

MICHAEL WELCH

C AROLY N L AC H

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD HIGH SCHOOL D208 (5 C ANDIDATES FOR FOUR 4 -YEAR TERMS )

Why are you running for the board of Riverside Brook eld High School? How would your experience and perspectives be valuable as an elected ofcial?

I am running for re -election to continue the progress made in promoting opportunities for our students in the trades and I would like to explore potential internships for our students. I also want to work on the continuation of the school being scally responsible.

WILLIAM T. DURKIN

better prepare students for college and/or career?

My motivation to run for re -election is mainly based on witnessing rsthand the energy and engagement of the students at the Trades and Career Fair last year Students need to be aware of meaningful and respected opportunities besides college These programs allow you to earn while you learn and are great opportunities. I want to continue being a voice and advocate for our students interested in the trades.

My background is in the private sec tor as an insurance broker. For the past ve years, I’ve served as a co-managing partner of a 100+ year-old, mid-size insurance brokerage. Every day is lled with negotiations, compromise, and problem-solving for internal duties and for my clients I believe these, and having a business mindset and background, bring value to the board.

Being an entrepreneur and managing a business requires me to know a little about everything. With my contacts and relationships, I’ve introduced a dozen or so apprentice programs to our admin and counselors. The goal was to establish direct connections between RBHS and these programs. Linking them together has been very rewarding, and I’d like to continue building something that can positively impact our student’s futures.

Do you believe it is necessary for RBHS to do more to better serve all students? If so, what areas need improvement? Do you believe that RBHS focuses too much attention on one area? How can RBHS

We’ve made progress over the last year as there appears to be a substantial interest in career and tech education (C TE) courses. We need to remain exible and open-minded to new trends and needs. This week, we approved a new hire with a great background to expand CTE. Exposure to and educating our students on opportunities within the trades has made great strides. We need to continue listening to the needs of the students.

We are making positive strides in exposing our students to career opportunities There’s always more work that can be done, and we must remain exible and openminded. We need to work on dual credit opportunities.

An area that I would like to work on besides apprenticeships is looking for internships for our students. Many RBHS alum, families, and community members own businesses and work in various industries. It would be great to connect our students with this group and others. It would be much work to establish, but that shouldn’t be an obstacle in making an effort to build it.

As a school board member, how will your values inform your approach to budgeting and scal planning?

What ’s best for the students is the top priority while being scally responsible for the community members.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing District 208 and how should the school board address them?

The increase in unfunded state mandates now and in the future. We need to continue to be scally responsible and exible.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

Why are you running for the board of Riverside Brook eld High School? How would your experience and perspectives be valuable as an elected o cial?

I am running for the School Board because I believe this is an area where I can contribute the most. I have worked in the area of professional education, and I have worked with Industr y. I currently substitute teach for the Elmhurst Consolidated School District 205. I have greatly enjoyed my time in Elmhurst, they are a diverse and creative district. They have 27 languages spoken in their schools, they have an entire gradeschool devoted to bilingual education. I have opportunity to be in classrooms from Kindergar ten through high school, and the opportunity to see di erent programs implemented such as block scheduling. On the other side I have spent many years on the governance committees of our professional school board organization. The most driving factor for me is out youth, which are the future of our countr y. Education has looked very similar for many decades, however, currently there are so many advances and new opportunities, students around the world are excelling in science, technology, and other core subjects. Every conference we attend as a Board, we are reminded that we are preparing our students for jobs that do not even exist yet.

Between 2006 and 2021, RBHS’ student demographics changed signicantly. Do you believe that RBHS has made progress in recruiting teachers who re ect these changes and, if not, how can it do more in that respect?

I believe that RBHS should recruit the best teachers we can for any open position. My own children are bi-racial, their father and his family are from Mexico, and they never felt isolated or left out of the RBHS community. Many of our teachers

come and they stay, which says a lot about our community, our students, and our school.

Dr. Smetana and Ms. Lindquist cast a broad net for new positions to attract a quali ed and diverse sta We recently hired a bilingual Spanish-speaking mathematics teacher. We also strive to diversify our administration, where students may feel safe and inspired by the leadership of the school. Our principle, Dr. Freytas, has been a tremendous addition and his charisma inspires our Latino youth. We have diversi ed our deans, our student guidance counselors, and school psychologist. We hired these individuals because we believed they were the most quali ed for their positions and would be the best t for our students.

How do you think the school has done regarding implementing initiatives that promote equity, as emphasized in RBHS’ new mission statement?

Our mission statement is designed to be a lens we see everything through as we move forward. As we review each policy, we look to make sure there are not any hidden biases. As we approve student trips, the board is conscientious that there is equal access for all our students and not only those from wealthier homes. As we consider new programs or policies, the district utilizes diverse committees. When we send out information, we are ensuring that our Latino families also have access to information in Spanish. We rely on our students, sta and community members to point out new areas Our club, “Girls who Code,” was a solution to a bias in the eld of programming which is typically dominated by men. The women in this club have done well. Student can propose any club.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

LAURA HRUSK A

RIVERSIDE-BROOKFIELD HIGH SCHOOL D208 (5 C ANDIDATES FOR FOUR 4 -YEAR TERMS )

Do you believe it is necessary for RBHS to do more to better serve all students?

If so, what areas need improvement? Do you believe that RBHS focuses too much attention on one area? How can RBHS better prepare students for college and/or career?

As a Board and as a community, we need to acknowledge that students begin with di erent resources and we must nd ways to equitably support them in and out of the classroom. District 208 is not immune to the challenges inherent to public education, and balancing demands that range from government mandates to Advanced Placement opportunities to extra-curricular support to Special Education requirements to Arts programming to Social Emotional Learning needs - all within a constrained budget - often results in some displeasure. A goaloriented district can support continuous improvement across all areas, and leveraging RBHS’ small size, dedicated teachers, and parental engagement can ensure that, in the words of our mission statement, “graduates are well-equipped to be responsible members of a diverse and ever-changing world.”

How do you think the school has done regarding implementing initiatives that promote equity, as emphasized in RBHS’ new mission statement?

Addressing systemic racism requires the long-term focus and investment of government bodies, and District 208 has begun to make these important e orts. A top priority for the Board of Education must be a continued partnership with the school community to support not just the 2021 mission statement but also to advance an annual, detailed goal setting process. Through the Board of Education’s leadership, District 208 has begun to meet the action steps in support of the 2022-23 goals in an e ort to “continue on-

going training and engagement in diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

As a school board member, how will your values inform your approach to budgeting and scal planning?

With 20+ years of experience in the public sector, I understand the need to balance competing priorities using limited resources. In my current term, I have led the board’s e orts to negotiate a fair and reasonable contract with our bargained members and a fair and reasonable contract with our superintendent. Good government budgeting requires a transparent process that respects both historic trends and anticipated changes while understanding the full array of funding source. The current district budget remains balanced and responsible while investing in sta and programs that directly support student outcomes.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing District 208 and how should the school board address them?

When I ran for my rst term on this board, no one was predicting a world-wide pandemic. As we navigated the pandemic period, there were certainly disagreements along the way but ultimately the strong core that is District 208 (parents, teachers, administrators and community) allowed us to move forward and serve the students. The Board of Education must lead by example - listen to multiple perspectives, understand complex situations, and maintain a focus on the educational outcome of District 208. I believe I have the temperament and engagement required to continue this valuable work regardless of the future challenges we may face.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

Do you believe it is necessary for RBHS to do more to better serve all students? If so, what areas need improvement? Do you believe that RBHS focuses too much attention on one area? How can RBHS better prepare students for college and/ or career?

There’s always an opportunity for schools such as Riverside-Brook eld to do more for students. The question is how best to achieve that with the time limitations in school and after school clubs, sta work load, and budget. With the increased attention paid to student loan debt there has been helpful discussions about schools expanding the vocational pathways available to students as well as a focus on community college options I think RB has been proactive in acknowledging these tracks for students through classes

The dual enrollment programs available through Triton College to RB students is a great opportunity to get a head start. The variety of programs available are strong, but hopefully can be expanded. A strong Applied Arts Program can help with opening up vocational opportunities for students as well. RB’s Television Arts Program and Automotive sequence are assets to the school.

RB has a robust dual credit program through Advanced Placement classes that o er the basics like English and Math as well as less traditional options such as studio art and music theory. The opportunity for independent study o ered by RB is also a valuable chance for a student to receive credit for curriculum such as foreign languages not o ered by the district. Summer internship opportunities through RB also give students a chance to receive high school credit in non-traditional ways. The additional requirement of an interview to be accepted into the program is a valuable experience.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing District 208 and how should the school board address them?

One of the biggest challenges facing schools going forward is the impact of students growing up with increased access to technology While there are cer tainly bene ts to having

more technology at a student’s ngertips from a young age, there are some drawbacks that are becoming increasingly prevalent that we need to be aware of. Some of these things are being addressed already in the schools but there are also emerging trends such as the impact of the Covid years that need to be accounted for.

A key resource already in place is a curriculum with social emotional learning Increased time spent online sometimes leads to feelings of isolation for kids, a lack of communication skills for directly developing relationships, decreased emotional development, and a lack of empathy that manifests itself in bullying behaviors. Brook Park’s hiring of a full time SEL teacher was a good step in addressing these challenges to students

A recent issue of concern in students and adults is media and information literacy. While it’s very easy to nd news and opinions about topics, it’s becoming harder to verify the credibility of many of these sources. Having a student attending a school district that currently doesn’t have a full-time degreed librarian in either the elementary school or the middle school, it does a disservice for students for many reasons, including a lack of quality instruction in information literacy, e ective research skills, and understanding formats and sources. They then start high school with these de ciencies and need to catch up. While RBHS used to have two full-time librarians, they currently have one, leaving less opportunities for students to master those abilities before graduation.

There are remedies for all these issues facing education and thankfully many of them are already in place. The question for the board is are they enough to overcome the challenges, and if not, is it best to tweak what is in place (more SEL instruction, tutoring, resources for implementing Move to Learn and other strategies, etc.) or starting from scratch.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

DEANNA ZALAS

KENYON DUNER

RB HIGH SCHOOL D208 (5 CANDIDATES FOR FOUR 4-YEAR TERMS )

Why are you running for the board of Riverside Brook eld High School? How would your experience and perspectives be valuable as an elected ofcial?

A strong belief in community involvement and my family are two reasons I am running for District 208 School Board. Public service and community involvement are values of mine that are enriched in my everyday life. I have worked for the Wheaton Park District for over 20 years. During this time, I have been involved in the planning, building, and maintaining of several parks and facilities Budgeting and hiring full-time sta are other essential functions of my job that correlate with the duties of a school board member. My wife, Jennifer Novak, has been an educator for 19 years with Forest Park School District 91. We have three children--Nicholas Novak Jr. (20), Matthew Novak (18) and Katie Novak (12). Our family moved to North Riverside in 2015. RBHS was a big reason we moved to North Riverside. Nic graduated RBHS in 2021 and is a sophomore at the University of Illinois UrbanaChampaign. Matt graduated RBHS in 2022 and is a freshman at the University of Dayton. My daughter Katie is in 7th grade at Hauser Middle School. Katie will be attending RBHS in the Fall of 2024. I am vested in this community and want to make a positive impact for all students

If elected, I believe my 20 years of public service and dedication to community involvement would be an asset to RBHS’ Board of Education.

Do you believe it is necessary for RBHS to do more to better serve all students?

If so, what areas need improvement? Do you believe that RBHS focuses too much attention on one area? How can RBHS better prepare students for college and/ or career?

RBHS does a great job of providing services to all students If elected, I would like to hear from teachers, administrators, and

students to get their feedback on services RBHS can provide to better prepare our students or college and/or career opportunities. With busy school schedules and after-school activities, it can be challenging for students to think about what their future looks like post RBHS graduation. Implementing programs that give all students more exposure to career paths vs. college experiences should be explored.

How do you think the school has done regarding implementing initiatives that promote equity, as emphasized in RBHS’ new mission statement?

I believe Riverside Brook eld High School has shown that equity and diversity are important core values. As an elected school board member, I would be dedicated to creating a learning environment where all students are valued and treated with respect. Creating and implementing programs to help diverse students succeed in the classroom is a way to improve equity. Treat every student respectfully and value their contribution to the school

As a school board member, how will your values inform your approach to budgeting and scal planning?

Any member of an elected school board must play a role in the school’s budget. When using public tax dollars, we must make responsible decisions and apply the best business practices to ensure we are accountable to all students and taxpayers. The best way to be scally responsible is through transparency. Open and honest communication between all levels of leadership is how responsible school budgets are formed.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at:

rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

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NICHOLAS NOVAK

Why are you running for the board of Lyons Township High School? How would your experience and perspectives be valuable as an elected o cial?

I am the current president of the LTHS District 204 School Board and over the last four years, we’ve accomplished so much. I’m excited about what’s ahead with the recent adoption of our Strategic Plan, an LTHS rst. There are so many reasons why I’m running again, but at the core:

■ I rmly believe in public education. Not only do I believe in it, but I am a champion for it.

■ I support and admire our teachers and administrators. LTHS has an impressive reputation for retaining highly quali ed teachers and administrators who care deeply about our students.

■ I love our community and I believe the high school is the heart of it. This is the last stop on our children’s education journey before they launch careers or go on to higher education.

I have served on the LTHS District 204 board for the last four years, helped navigate through a pandemic and hired a new superintendent. I know it takes patience, dedication and collaboration to work with a team of seven. Together, we e ectively implemented a 1:1 laptop distribution program; developed the rst district equity statement; established the Director of Student Services and Director of Equity & Belonging roles; enabled the rst live-streamed board meetings, upgraded 64 classrooms with air conditioning and recently completed a community- engaged facilities study to identify future projects/ needs to improve our aging campuses.

For the 2021-2022 school year, LTHS hired a director of equity and belonging and launched initiatives to address equity. What, in your view, is the value of pursuing these initiatives? Has LTHS

LY ONS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL D204 (7 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

started to achieve equitable outcomes for students and how can it do better?

This is a position that I was instrumental in helping to create and I am passionate about the importance of this role. Dr Rowe has been a valuable addition to the LTHS team. In her role, she is responsible for assessing and addressing disparities and barriers that prevent marginalized groups from achieving their full potential. The role seeks to ensure historically underserved groups will get the supports they need to have the same opportunities as student groups who are not underserved.

With this role, we’ve implemented professional training and begun evaluating our processes, procedures and policies. We have a lot more work to do, but I am committed to making LTHS a welcoming space for all to feel as though they belong. It is with that focus, that we can a ect true learning

As a board member, I will continue to support these initiatives and look forward to evaluating our progress along the way

The District 204 Board of Education is planning to sell 70 acres of land it owns in Willow Springs, possibly before the next school board is seated. What is your view on whether or not the land should be sold? If you support the sale, what do you believe is the best use of proceeds?

It is the school board’s duciary responsibility to the taxpayers to make decisions on behalf of the district that will bene t all students at the least expense to all taxpayers The proceeds from a potential sale could dramatically improve the infrastructure of our campuses and would contribute to fullling strategic Goal 5.

For the 2021-2022 school year, LTHS hired a directo of equity and belonging and launched initiatives to address equity. What, in your view, is the value of pursuing these initiatives? Has LTHS started to achieve equitable outcomes for students and how can it do better?

Dr. Rowe, in her position, pushes us forward to bring professional learning for the sta and oversees LTHS’s student and equity committee and helps guide the administration and board in moving forward. This position allows us to stay current with things we should do to include all. It brings an innovative approach to creating a school where all students belong

LTHS’s diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives are important because the data shows that marginalized students are signi cantly behind. This is the reason why LTHS lags behind its peer districts, like Hinsdale Central. We can close that gap by giving those students the resources they need to thrive.

During the past year or so, there has been much discussion about modi cations to LTHS’ grading system. What are your views on the change/ tweaks? Do you believe that there is anything else that needs to be done and, if so, what?

There has been a robust dialog on this topic among the Board, Administration and LT community. As a result, LT has listened and adapted its policies. This topic requires continuous evaluation and a spirit of exibility as we evaluate what’s working and what isn’t with input from all stakeholders

There has been some question about whether or not LTHS is maintaining high academic standards and preparing students adequately for college and careers. Can you provide examples in which the school may be lacking or in which it excels in delivering a high-quality education?

Like students across Illinois, THS students are still recovering from the devastating impact of the pandemic. But we continue to make progress in key areas. We are working hard to close the achievement/ opportunity gap, in part by improving LTHS’s EL program. Additionally, a co-taught model has been implemented which is amazing for so many students. We are justi ably proud of LTHS’s ability to provide so many di erent opportunities through its many clubs and athletic programs. While we are happy that so many of our students progress to college to further their education, we recognize that this is not the best path for everyone We are equally proud of our ability to prepare students for vocational training. There are so many opportunities for all students.

The District 204 Board of Education is planning to sell 70 acres of land it owns in Willow Springs, possibly before the next school board is seated. What is your view on whether or not the land should be sold? If you support the sale, what do you believe is the best use of proceeds?

A potential sale can bring valuable resources to our district and community. As a board, we are driven by our strategic plan which was implemented with the vision of all stakeholders (community, teachers, students and administration). A sale for this property would allow LTHS to make key investments in our facilities, which is part of Goal Five of our Strategic Plan. Such improvements will bene t students in many signi cant ways, giving them opportunities and resources which our current facilities do not o er -- the range of possibilities is exciting for all. Using our current resources to achieve this without a referendum is impactful for all in our district.

JILL BEDA DANIELS

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

K ARI DILLON SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

LY ONS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL D204 (7 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

During the past year or so, there has been much discussion about modi cations to LTHS’ grading system. What you are your views on these changes/tweaks? Do you believe anything else needs to be done?

I was very pleased that the changes that were made.  While this philosophy of “not yet,” meaning we don’t move on to the next lesson until everyone understands the material, is good in philosophy, it did not work.  Homework has value.  It is through the required practice that learning occurs. Once value was placed back on homework, I’ve seen rsthand how learning became stronger The newest debate is on retaking assessments.  While I do think students should have an opportunity to retake an exam, there must be requirements put in place to take them.  You must have skin in the game.  This means before you are allowed to retake an assessment, all of your homework must be turned in and you should either complete another study guide so teachers know you are prepared or meet with your teacher to ensure you are vested in the process.  While some may say there aren’t redos in life, we have all been given second chances when we make mistakes. But we need to earn them.  Failing and moving on isn’t helping our test scores, or, most importantly, our students

TIM ALBORES

was looking for the most value, knowing the village will ultimately need to accept the proposal. This is an outsider’s point of view.  With any major decision, thousands of smaller decisions must be made   I cannot begin to know all the questions that were asked, what variables were considered, and the results of the thousands of smaller decisions that were made to come to the point they are now.  However, I do question how much transparency and communication there was with the community. I do appreciate the communication that was shared on January 26, however, the community made it clear that they were not aware of the direction the district was heading Whether the district felt it was open in their communication or not, it doesn’t matter if the community feels disenfranchised. Currently, I am not a fan of selling this property to industry, however taking a de nitive side without knowing all the information, I believe, is reckless and irresponsible.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing District 204 and how should the school board address them?

During the past year or so, there has been much discussion about modi cations to LTHS’ grading system. What you are your views on these changes/tweaks? Do you be lieve anything else needs to be done?

While I have been going door-to- door in every one of our communities, this issue has come up the most—especially regarding the homework. What for sure needs to be done is an evaluation of the grading policy through the lens of di erent data points, including but not limited to standardized test data post the policy change, homework completion data post the policy change, and stakeholder qualitative data post the change (MOSTLY graduated students and how it has a ected them post high school). If all of these suggest that the policy change was detrimental to LTHS students’ academic achievement, it should be changed, immediately.

owns in Willow Springs, possibly before the next school board is seated. What is your view on whether or not the land should be sold? If you support the sale, what do you believe is the best use of proceeds?

If I was a sitting board member right now, I would vote no to the selling of the land. I would immediately work with school o cials and other board members to create a process to gather stakeholders together from all of our communities to discuss the sale, understand their concerns, work towards a resolution, and move to sell the land based on the outcome of the conversations. Once the sale of the land is nalized, continue updates and meetings on how the sale of the land is contributing to the needed upgrades to LTHS.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing District 204 and how should the school board address them?

The District 204 Board of Education is planning to sell 70 acres of land it owns in Willow Springs, possibly before the next school board is seated. What is your view on whether or not the land should be sold? If you support the sale, what do you believe is the best use of proceeds?

I understand that the board is looking to generate much-needed revenue to support infrastructure for our school without having to try to pass a referendum.  However, ultimately, it is up to the Village of Willow Springs to change the zoning to allow the purchase.  I believe the current board

Academic Rigor–We need to motivate kids to come to school and attend class on time. As students get older at LTHS, we see higher chronic truancy rates. Students who feel safe, welcome, and wanted in any environment do better. This is no di erent than us as adults. If we work in a suppor tive environment, we per form better. I believe this is already occurring at LTHS, however, it must always remain a focus for our school. Similarly, we must continue to maintain the academic rigor of our students to ensure they are prepared for high-stakes tests. This requires scheduled curriculum reviews and revisions to ensure our curriculum aligns with these assessments.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

There has been some question about whether or not LTHS is maintaining high academic standards and preparing students adequately for college and careers. Can you provide examples in which the school may be lacking or in which it excels in delivering a high-quality education?

The school is lacking in providing data that shows if students are growing over their four years as a student at LTHS and prepared to thrive post-high school. There are “traditional” ways to examine student growth (e.g. growth through the SAT Suite of Assessments) and novel ways (student preparedness based on rst-year, post-high school sur veys/focus groups). LTHS o ers a wide range of AP (Advanced Placement) and Dual Credit courses, which is very bene cial for our students.

The District 204 Board of Education is planning to sell 70 acres of land it

■ Grading Polic y– especially regarding homework: Community members believe that LTHS is lowering the bar for both academic rigor and teaching students how to hold themselves accountable. As a school board member, I would ask to see data (both quantitative and qualitative) on its e ectiveness and move forward on making changes based on the examination of the data.

■ LTHS Facilities: Needing an upgrade of facilities–speci cally air conditioning in the north campus and upgrades to classrooms. As a board member, I would ask for a group of school stakeholders to prioritize facility upgrades and then look for both short term and long-term budgeting sources—which can include the funds raised by the selling of the Willow Springs land.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

JUSTIN CLARK

Why are you running for the board of Lyons Township High School? How would your ex perience and perspectives be valuable as an elected o cial?

My desire to give back is par of my DNA. I believe the LTHS Strategic Plan is sound and thought my previous school board experience might be a good t for me to lend a hand.

The true motivator came about during college visits with my youngest daughter in 2021. One admissions counselor said to us, “it’s statistically impossible for that many Lyons Township High School students to have a 4.0 or above GPA. We know about the school’s retake policies on tests and homework not counting, its hurting kids coming from that school.”

This was totally a di erent take on LTHS than what I had heard during college visits in 2017 with my eldest daughter. When touring colleges that year, whenever we brought up LTHS, admissions counselors said she would be well prepared and that “Lyons Township High School was the equivalent of a college prep school.”

Continued lack of communication with their constituents over the years, lately with the Willow Springs property issues, has shown what can happen with an inexperienced board and superintendent.

Watching these things, I knew I wanted and could do something to help

For the 2021-22 school year, LTHS hired a director of equity and belonging and launched initiatives to address equity. What, in your view, is the value of pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives?

I believe that all children and sta have the right to be treated equally with respect, dignity, and kindness. As a Board member, I would not tolerate any behavior that led to any discrimination, bullying or any other inappropriate behavior directed at anyone due to their race, sex or sexual orientation and insist that the administration ensure

LY ONS TOWNSHIP HIGH SCHOOL D204 (7 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

that every student has a safe learning environment that is intimidation free. The administration needs to ensure that policies are in place and enforce policies that help deliver a safe, discrimination free and bullying free equitable environment for every student and sta member.

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing District 204 and how should the school board address them?

Earning the trust of the community back. From Covid back to school missteps, violations of the open meetings act, attempts to silence constituents and, lastly, the many failures and tone-deaf responses to the Willow Springs community has made this di cult to repair. The board needs to improve their lines of communication with the community. If elected, I will ask for and publish my LTHS email address so the community can reach out to a board member. I will encourage other board members to do the same. I will ask the board to go on listening tours and town halls in our feeder communities to help improve communication. Finally, I will ask the administration to foster and improve relationships with village leadership from the municipalities that feed into LTHS. I believe the board needs three new members to help foster in an improved environment of trust. I believe my 12 years of experience as a board member would go a long way to helping repair the trust barrier that currently exists. Even if you are doing everything right, if the community does not trust you, it is very di cult to govern. If we can rebuild the trust in the community, providing the tools to improve student per formance should also be easier to achieve.

Why are you running for the board of Lyons Township High School? How would your ex perience and perspectives be valuable as an elected o cial?

I am running for the Board because I am concerned about the dip in academic pro ciency and believe there is need fo improvement on providing safe environments for all students Mentoring for the school’s Incubator program has given me a hands-on opportunity to observe students in their environment. I believe this experience, combined with my background in business ownership and executive management, provides me with the skillset needed to solve problems and help create solutions to our current challenges

For the 2021-22 school year, LTHS hired a director of equity and belonging and launched initiatives to address equity. What, in your view, is the value of pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives?

Every student should receive an equitable education. People with special academic and learning needs should have the resources they need to succeed

There has been some question about whether or not LTHS is maintaining high academic standards and preparing students adequately for college and careers. Can you provide examples in which the school may be lacking or in which it excels in delivering a highquality education?

I do believe there is a drop in performance levels and we are missing the mark in postgraduate preparedness. We have a reported 95% graduation rate and a 28% chronic absenteeism rating – how can that be? It is also reported that 20% of students who go to community college have to take remedial courses I have personally spoken to students that graduated last year and they said they weren’t prepared for college; they were

shocked at the amount of homework, the penalties they faced or non-attendance, and that est taking had a major impact on their grades. The ownership is on the students at the college level – they are not prepared for this. I have also talked to students who never did/had homework, attended class less than 50% of the time and still graduated. How can this be?

The District 204 Board of Education is planning to sell 70 acres of land it owns in Willow Springs, possibly before the next school board is seated. What is your view on whether or not the land should be sold? If you support the sale, what do you believe is the best use of proceeds?

There’s been zero transparency on the sale of property until last November – a total disregard for the residents of Willow Springs. The property is already zoned residential, light retail and senior living, but the only bids received were for industrial development--this I oppose. I feel the land should be sold maintaining the integrity of the community; especially with a grade school located so close to it. I would support selling to developers who would not have a negative e ect on homeowners and/or quality of life. This timeline has made people question trust for the board. Closed door meetings promote the lack of transparency

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing District 204 and how should the school board address them?

I believe academics and safety are the biggest challenges. Kids need to feel safe at school, safe from cyber bullying, social pressure and physical threats. They need to be able to feel they can speak and act freely without retribution from other students and sta , and they need to be held accountable for academics and attendance.

TIMOTHY VLCEK

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

DAVID HERNDON SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

LT HIGH SCHOOL D204 (7 C ANDIDATES FOR 3 OPEN SEATS )

Why are you running for the board of Lyons Township High School? How would your expe rience and perspectives be valuable as an elected o cial?

I am running because I feel that the school has strayed from its fundamental responsibility of providing a safe, inclusive, and challenging learning environmen for students- and that I can help guide the school back to those basic principles

I have been self-employed my entire adult life. First as a oor trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, then as a nancial advisor since 2002. I understand budgeting and nance along with the responsibilities of a business owner--such as meeting payroll and operating expenses. A businessowner’s perspective would help the Board become better stewards of taxpayer funds.

For the 2021-2022 school year, LTHS hired a director of equity and belonging and launched initiatives to address equity. What, in your view, is the value of pursuing these initiatives? Has LTHS started to achieve equitable outcomes for students and how can it do better?

I feel that every student regardless of race or socio-economic status should have support and access to every resource available to help them learn and succeed. Has this not always been the case at LTHS?

I don’t know if LTHS has achieved “equitable” outcomes What I do know, though, is that there have been several high-prole incidents/ ghts at LTHS- reported in the media- that have resulted in signi cant monetary payouts to those a ected. I would advocate for an analysis of what has changed in the culture of LTHS to allow such incidents to become commonplace, and nd a solution to stop this unacceptable behavior.

and, if so, what?

LTHS needs to tighten the requirement for homework, testing and attendance. Multiple test retakes, late homework acceptance and lax attendance requirements are unacceptable So, yes- it needs to change. Back to basics.

The District 204 Board of Education is planning to sell 70 acres of land it owns in Willow Springs, possibly before the next school board is seated. What is your view on whether or not the land should be sold? If you support the sale, what do you believe is the best use of proceeds?

LTHS owns the land, and it is their right to sell. However, I DO NOT support the sale of the land to an industrial developer The land is not zoned for commercial property, it would decimate the property values of the surrounding community and negatively a ect the health of students at Pleasantdale Elementary. Furthermore, the lack of transparency by the board in the decision to sell is alarming. Such an impactful decision should have had signi cant involvement of the residents and surrounding communities. I feel strongly that a decision should WAIT until after the new board is seated and community engaged properly I support the sale only under my previously stated conditions. If those conditions are met, only then will a discussion of which infrastructure or investment needs to support LTHS is appropriate

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

What do you think are the biggest challenges facing District 204 and how should the school board address them?

During the past year or so, there has been much discussion about modi cations to LTHS’ grading system. What are your views on the change/tweaks? Do you believe that there is anything else that needs to be done

Guiding the school back to pre-pandemic levels of excellence, allowing transparency and developing community engagement. We need to restore our school rating to a 10, provide a safe learning environment for all students and become accountable for all social, scal and educational directives.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

FRANK EVANS

In recent years, District 102 has made equity initiatives an important part of its strategic plan. What, in your view, is the value of these initiatives? Has the district started to achieve equitable outcomes for students and how can it do better?

When I think about the value of pursuing diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, I think of my beginnings with the Committee for Equity and Minority Achievement (CEMA) in 2016. I felt then and continue to feel now, “schools should ensure that all students have equitable opportunities to learn.” The following statement comes from the district’s Equity Policy:

“The District strives to ensure all students, regardless of racial identity or skin color, receive a diverse, relevant, rigorous and integrated curriculum based on recognized standards that provide the skills necessary to thrive in elementary school, secondary school, and beyond.”

https://www.dist102.k12.il.us/page/equity

As the district continues to strive toward improving outcomes, we should also celebrate what has been accomplished. The district:

■ is actively work ing to diversify the administration, teaching and support staff as identified in the CEMA.

■ seeks to become more efficient and effective when monitoring how decisions impact groups of students, based on data results.

■ has developed a Student Climate sur vey that provides more explicit student voice.

■ has created intentional structure to infuse diversity across grades.

■ has used grant funds to provide explicit outside tutoring resources.

As District 102 reports improvements for many students, we are not alone in continuing to show marginal to no growth for the following groups: Individual Education Plan (IEP), Low-Income, Black, Hispanic and English Learners. The district

LAGRANGE-BROOKFIELD D 102 (6 C ANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS )

has begun its focus on achieving equitable outcomes for students. I further believe that we, the board, should continue to inquire of the distric t’s superintendent and district and building administrators: What are our students learning? How do we k now that have learned?, and What are we doing when they are not getting it?

Following is an Equity Policy Goal - Student Development Goal: We commit to closing existing achievement gaps by developing instructional models based on student interests and needs. In order to achieve this goal, we commit to maintaining high expectations for student achievement and quality instruction that are clearly conveyed to students and families and are free of discrimination. Click for distric t’s equity polic y: https://www.dist102. k12.il.us/page/equity

It is my belief that as the district continues this focus, it will become better.

In recent years, District 102 implemented a standard-based grading system. What you are your views of the change?

The goal for making this shift in the district was to help students, parents and sta know what the learning outcomes are for each course or grade level in order for the District to become better aligned with instructional practices and expectations across grade levels. Using teacher developed common assessments and prioritizing what learning is essential for students, teachers gain a deeper understand of where students are in their learning. Following is an article based on a teacher ’s experience in switching to SBG https://www.weareteachers. com/standards-based-grading/

In recent years, District 102 has made equity initiatives an important part of its strategic plan. What, in your view, is the value of these initiatives? Has the district started to achieve equitable outcomes for students and how can it do better?

District 102 is a leading school regarding diversity, equit y, and inclusion, and I’m ex tremely proud of the work all District 102 stakeholders have put for th to ensure all students feel a sense of belonging in our school distric t. From 2019-2021, I had the pleasure of being part of Distric t 102’s Committee of Equity and M inority Achievement (CEMA) as a parent. During my time on the committee, I participated in a subgroup that focused on the underrepresentation of students of color in accelerated classes and the overrepresentation of students of color in the multi-tiered system of suppor t. Through this subcommittee, the need for change was determined, and initiatives were created to address underrepresented students. The CEMA committee also created the current equity policy that ensures the district follows a set of guidelines. In addition to CEMA, the district is committed to creating a culture that focuses on equity by providing sta with quality professional development and equity- centered practices that align with the S ocial Justice Standards for Teaching Tolerance.

Additionally, the distric t’s e or ts to promote inclusivity have resulted in more students with disabilities being included in the general education classroom. With every successful organization, there is always room for growth, and DEI should always be a priorit y. The district is challenged to continue to ensure that all students are meeting or exceeding expectations and continue to feel a sense of belonging in every aspec t

of their school experience. The e or ts put for th towards DEI are continuous.

In recent years, District 102 implemented a standards-based grading system. What are your views of the change? Is there anything else that needs to be done, and if so, what?

The switch to standardsbased grading has allowed for a more tailored instructional approach that enables teachers and students to understand speci c areas of mastery and areas of de cit. As a parent and educator, I believe that standards-based grading is an e ective method to demonstrate student growth and mastery of skills. The change from traditional grading to standards-based grading has resulted in more consistent and objective ways to measure student progress and to ensure that all students are held to a high standard. Moving away from a point-based system has encouraged students to focus on learning and not just gaining points. The ability to make mistakes without risks and continue to practice these skills till mastery creates perseverance and promotes a growth mindset. Standards-based grading also supports the multi-tiered system of support framework. The process of targeting speci c skills guides teachers to identify struggling students and address their learning de cits immediately. As a parent, I’ve experienced the bene ts of this process rst-hand and attribute my children’s growth to this process. Since this grading system depends largely on rubrics and other scoring guides, I believe speci c, targeted feedback that clearly communicates where students are at and what they need to do to reach their full potential is essential.

TIZIANA LAMBER T

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

BESSIE BOYD

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

In recent years, District 102 has made equity initiatives an important part of its strategic plan. What, in your view, is the value of these initiatives? Has the distric t started to achieve equitable outcomes for students and how can it do better?

Equity is a huge priority of mine. When I was teaching in the distric t, I was proud to be an early adopter of the equity work and vision of District 102. My journey to understanding the inequities in our education system has been long and I understand how impor tant it is to provide an equitable education for our students There are many components to a student’s identity and it is the role of school to embrace and suppor t those identities so all students feel safe at school. Only when students feel safe can in depth learning occur.

The initiatives in place now are a star t, but we must continue to do the work. Continuing to pursue diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives is mandatory for all our students to be successful. We must understand that all of our students are not starting from the same place. Diversity, equity, and inclusion training for sta members should be further implemented. Hiring highly quali ed sta members who re ect the student population should be a priorit y.

In recent years, Distric t 102 implemented a standard-based grading system.

LAGRANGE-BROOKFIELD D 102 (6 C ANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS )

helpful standards-based grading is. Many LTHS feeder schools utilize standards-based grading, and LTHS has recently shifted to more of a standards-based grading system. Our District 102 students and families are prepared for the high school system.

Like all systems within a school, questions should continuously be asked. It is the role of the board to work to make sure our systems, grading and otherwise, are most e ec tive for our students, families, and educators.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the district and how should the school board address them?

Why are you running be on the school board of District 102? How would your experience and perspectives be valuable as an elected o cial?

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

What you are your views of the change?

What more needs to be done?

In 2019, I was part of the rst team in District 102 to implement standards-based grading. Standards-based grading provides the students, families, and educators with speci c k nowledge of which skills have been mastered and which are still in progress. This data is imperative to best guide students through their learning

Although the mindset shift was challenging years ago, I believe the students, families, and educators now understand how

Retention of the highly quali ed and passionate sta is a challenge. According to the state report card, 26.7% of sta lef t District 102 last year, more than twice the state average. Ask ing for exit inter views would be a way to understand why so many sta members are leaving. Af ter understanding the causes, we can conduct a root-cause analysis to come up with solutions to retain sta . I want District 102 to be a place where sta members feel cared for, suppor ted, ful lled, and excited about their work. When that happens, ever yone wins. The social and emotional needs of students have shif ted throughout the past three years. As a board member, I would strongly support researchbased programs that meet the emotional needs of students. I would support sta training that helps them to reach the students in this ever shifting world. The students of District 102 need to feel empowered with knowledge, critical think ing, love, and compassion. Our teachers and sta can do that if we empower them with strong support.

I am running for the District 102 school board because I am passionate about public education. am a work ing mom with three -year- old son who will eventually attend Distric t 102 schools, so it is also very personal to me. I enjoy being a part of the decisionmaking process and want to have a seat at the table and ser ve as a voice for all parents and advocate for the students I believe education is a public good and all children should have access to high-quality education. I am motivated by the desire to make a di erence and ser ve my community.

For the past 15+ years, I have worked in various sectors, including higher education, non-pro t associations, and business. I have experience work ing with a variet y of stakeholders. I have a keen ability to listen and have also been described as someone who has a ‘ bias for action.’

I have attended the majority of the board meetings for the 2022-23 school year. This has helped me understand the role of the board, the issues they face and the questions they ask of the administration.

In recent years, District 102 has made equity initiatives an important part of its strategic plan. What, in your view, is the value of these initiatives? Has the district started to achieve equitable outcomes for students and how can it do better?

themselves, their families, and their culture represented in books and curriculum at all D102 schools. I believe in providing the students of D102 with a full and robust education which can sometimes mean challenging discussions on di cult topics.

In recent years, District 102 implemented a standard-based grading system. What you are your views of the change? What more needs to be done?

I support the change to the standardbased grading system. I believe this grading system o ers a more accurate assessment of the student’s progress and achievement. With any new system or polic y, it is worthwhile to evaluate how it is work ing for all stakeholders, including students, teachers and parents

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the distric t and how should the school board address them?

The current board has done a great job over the past several years. They faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic and they successfully brought the students and teachers back to the classroom.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

Diversity, equit y, and inclusion initiatives are important because it improves student learning and outcomes. I support these initiatives and if elec ted, will continue to advocate for them in D102.

All students should be able to see

One challenge facing District 102 is revising and strengthening the academic programs to ensure they meet the needs of all students. I think the way to address this is to fully review the curriculum and ensure that it is peer-reviewed and based in science. This is no small task, but I think it is important that we hold high curriculum standards.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

MOLLY KNOTT

KATHRYN M C QUISTON

Compare our CD Rates

Compare our CD Rates

Compare our CD Rates

LAGRANGE-BROOKFIELD D102 (6 CANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS)

Why are you running to be on the school board of District 102? How would your experience and perspectives be valuable as an elected o cial?

I’m running to help improve the quality of education in the community and help make a positive impact for all students. Serving on the school board would allow me the chance to help shape the educational landscape of children in our community to best prepare them for a successful educational future.

In addition to my passion for fostering the education system for all children, I also want to help children who have challenges or need extra support. I want to help them have a voice in our community and receive equal opportunities by helping schools meet the needs of all students.

I believe my diverse experience and background can be valuable as a school board member. My leadership and management experience taught me the importance of collaborating with others and overseeing projects, including timelines and budgets. In addition, my experience in community organizations demonstrated my commitment to projects and a cause and illustrated my ability to understand and prioritize the needs of others.

I’ve also had years of experience in advocacy through my involvement with Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago and Texas Children’s Hospital of Austin, demonstrating a commitment to public service, utilizing my time and experiences to help others.

Most importantly, my experience being a mom of two kids, one who’s had severe special needs, has taught me patience and the skills needed to e ectively advocate for their needs. I also have a unique background of experience with both the public and private school system in our community.

The newly elected school board members will start their terms as Kyle Schumacher exits as superintendent. Do you

believe that this transition represents an opportunity to seek new policy initiatives and, if so, what would you support pursuing? What polices do you think should be retained?

This is a very exciting time for our schools, with the transition of a new superintendent starting this year. I think while Kyle’s dedication has been admirable and his e orts appreciated, it’s important to view this as an opportunity to have a new viewpoint, di erent set of skills, and background to our community. I think the biggest focus should be on improving communication within our schools and families, including collaborating with the community. I think it’s also important to help foster a caring and inclusive school environment in which the needs of every child matter and are met. Lastly, I think the primary focus should always be ensuring student achievement.

Beyond these e orts, I would welcome the opportunity to learn more about the superintendent’s opinions about our policies, and what they feel should be the top priorities for the schools in our community and develop a system in which we could all collaboratively determine what policies are most/ least e ective.

What do you believe are the biggest challenges facing the district and how should the school board address them?

The need to ensure that all students receive the highest-quality education possible, so they have the opportunity to succeed and reach their full potential. Some of these challenges can include meeting diverse students’ needs, recruiting and retention of quality educators, and providing a safe and healthy learning environment.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

CATHERINE MURPHY

The Brook eld library sta and patrons have now settled into a new building. What do you believe the library board must do in the coming four years to maximize the institution’s potential?

To engage with the premise of that question, I don’t know if you can say we are completely settled. The board and sta worked hard to ensure success of the project. I feel we have a ne showpiece building that gives the Village of Brook eld something to brag about, but we are still learning about the facility both in terms of the structure and campus, and in how the public engages with it. Additionally, on top of that, we are still dealing with the low unemployment environment which has created hiring challenges for all organizations in the past year

Currently, the board is in the middle of the strategic planning process so we can assess how well we are meeting the community’s needs and what we can do to make sure that we build on our strengths and limit whatever perceived weaknesses we might have The goal is to serve the community and to be a good neighbor in our immediate surroundings

I think it is important to remember that the library is not just the one building on Park, Lincoln, and Grand. I live on the southeast side of the village, and one thing that you notice is that aside from having the best park, the south side feels underserved by village services

The north side of Brook eld is the center of gravity for village services, and one thing I want to move towards is directly serving the residents south of Ogden. This service can be as simple as a book bike to a potential satellite branch, but we have to balance all these needs within the constraints of the library’s budget.

BROOKFIELD LIBRARY BOARD (5 C ANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS )

schooling, but also in building capacity for all the people in the community, so Carnegie endowed libraries nationwide. At the time, that capacity building meant books, but it also meant public lectures and discussion groups

The library, as a public institution, both then and now, is not just about books – it never was. The library is about access and dissemination of information. However, information is not just sitting there. The information is not of use without trained professionals to guide you to what you want and maybe to something that you need but you did not even know. More than books, it is the service of connecting people with information and each other. It is an incredibly important institution in that it is neutral ground for gathering throughout the community for all ages. Having a place like the library can hopefully build bridges so that we can all be part of a community, as important a connection in the rst century as in the 21st century.

The Brook eld library sta and patrons have now settled into new building. What d you believe the librar board must do in the coming four years maximize the institution’s potential?

The board is currently undergoing a process formulate our long-range plan. There was a sur vey sent out and listening sessions held as a start to this process. Making the transition to the new library was a tremendous undertaking. Both the sta and the public still need time to acclimate to the new space and “grow into it.”

to meet that end. The needs of the community will change with time. The building was designed exibility in mind for future needs

I believe there are ways can expand and enrich ommunity awareness of the diversity amid and around us without alienating our patrons and community members

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

I am incredibly proud of the sta and leadership as they navigated two huge changes in the last few years. Transitioning to a new building would be exciting yet stressful at any time, but doing so while trying to balance the needs of the community with the need to be safe in the uncertainty of the pandemic made it even more di cult. To do both while maintaining and expanding programming like the maker space is something that I, as a board member, am dazzled by. It makes me think of the quote about how Ginger Rodgers did everything Fred Astaire did – but backwards and in high heels

What do you believe is the role of a library in the 21st centur y? What kind of programming and services should a library o er; and what should it not o er? Is the Brook eld library meeting its mission now?

The library is the cultural, educational, and social hub of the community. The library is continuously striving to meet that end. The needs of the community will change with time. The building was designed with exibility in mind for future needs

In the past few years, throughout the nation and even locally, there have been attempts to censor library materials. As a library trustee, how would you suggest sta approach requests to remove materials? Do you believe the library’s collection serves and reects Brook eld?

What do you believe is the role of a library in the 21st century? What kind of programming and services should a library o er; and what should it not o er? Is the Brook eld library meeting its mission now?

The history of the library in Brook eld starts with the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie at the turn of the last century. One of the things that Carnegie, as well as other thinkers at the time, knew was that an educated populace is a social good. This meant that there was investment not just in more public

That said, there are almost twenty thousand people in Brook eld, and each person has a di erent vision of what the Library is and can be. Our job as democratically elected board members is to listen to those viewpoints and create a communal vision as we play our role in guiding the Library into the future. We will continue to o er as much to the community within the various constraints of budget, space, sta time, and sta expertise that we can so that we meet the needs and desires of the community while recognizing that we cannot be everything for everyone.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

I believe there are ways we can expand and enrich community awareness of the diversity amid and around us without alienating our patrons and community members.

What do you believe is the role of a library in the 21st century? What kind of programming and services should a library o er; and what should it not o er? Is the Brookeld library meeting its mission now?

The library is the cultural, educational, and social hub of the community. The library is continuously striv-

Sta members must adhere to the policy set for th by the board of trustees regarding censorship and the removal of materials. It is not an individual decision. The board supports the First Amendment. Even with the new building, space is limited. The inter-library loan system is invaluable in providing materials for our patrons while keeping costs within budget. The library also has an impressive online database

What other issues are impor tant to you as library board candidate? How would you advocate for them as a board member?

I see a great opportunity for the library to remain vibrant and grow in its role as a hub in the community. I would love to continue being a par t of that process.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023election-guide

JOHN EDGAR MIHELIC

LINDA K AMPSCHROEDER

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

What do you believe is the role of a library in the 21st tury? What kind of progr ming and services should library o er; and what should it not o er? Is the Brook library meeting its mission now?

The library of the 21st centur is a combined physical environment and a digital environmen that is centered around the needs of the people, providing access to tools and resources at no cost, enriching lives and strengthening communities. The role of the library is to provide a welcoming space –physical and online – that supports, teaches, and inspires

The library should continue to o er an array of programming for every age, from infants to seniors. As Brook eld grows more diverse, the library should o er more programs in Spanish and other foreign languages, as needed. The community would also bene t from more technology classes, especially those that help learners understand the ins and outs of working in the Cloud and how to make best use of their mobile devices.

With the dramatic rise in hybrid and remote work since the start of the pandemic, the librar y of the 21st century should be prepared for an increase in remote workers looking to spend their workday there. There will be a continued need for quiet space, as well as collaboration space. The library will always need well-functioning Wi-Fi and plenty of mobile hot spot devices available for checkout.

The pandemic also brought about a shift in the workforce and people looking for jobs. Assistance with job searches, resume writing, ling for unemployment, and trade school applications will continue to be needed. The library should remain a resource for social services for the homeless, the disadvantaged elderly, and children. If it were nancially feasible, having a social worker on sta at the library would be a tremendous asset, too

Across the past few years, our library has proven itself to be resilient and future-focused, and adaptable. I believe they have

BROOKFIELD LIBRARY BOARD (5 C ANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS )

lived up to their mission to “create a cultural, educational, and informational center for the community roviding readily accessible and organized materials, programs, and services that enrich the lives of esidents of all ages.” I am a library patron and have experienced, rsthand, the welcoming environment of our library, and the enrichment ers is priceless. There is no better example of the library living out its mission than The Mobile Museum of Tolerance Civil Rights Exhibit in June 2022. This exhibit was a moving cultural immersion that prompted important discussions on hate in all its forms, nonviolent protest, and an excellent educational tool on human rights. Thanks to our library, Brook eld was very fortunate to have this experience.

While we’d all like to see the library continue to expand and grow, discontinuing programs that are not well-attended and/or do not t the needs of the community, makes good sense to me

What other issues are important to you as library board candidate? How would you advocate for them as a board member?

The Linda Sokol Francis Brookeld Library is operated by a dedicated, future-focused, talented, diverse team of librarians and sta . As a library board candidate, I want them to know that I support and appreciate them. It is impor tant to me that we maintain an excellent library sta , as they are the face of the library and carry out the daily tasks and responsibilities that make the library a vital community resource. To that end, I would advocate for development opportunities for the sta to learn and grow, and bring those key learnings back to our library for consideration. I spent most of my career in higher education and understand that lifelong learning bene ts not only the individual, but also the institution they ser ve.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

What do you believe is the role of a library in the 21st century? What kind of programming and services should a library o er; and what should it not o er? Is the Brook eld library meeting its mission now?

Libraries are no longer just about providing access to books – which we already do remarkably well – but about providing a community meeting space and community programming. As a parent, I know the library already provides fantastic programming for children particularly in the early childhood years (whoever thought to add children’s yoga/zumba events is brilliant.) I want to see that continue. I think we also do an excellent job of serving the needs of our teens and senior citizens. Our library o ers excellent programming as is. My goal on the board is to ensure it stays the course. Of course, we do need to make sure that our programming doesn’t become stale and evolves as needed

In the past few years, throughout the nation and even locally, there have been attempts to censor library materials. As a library trustee, how would you suggest sta approach requests to remove materials? Do you believe the library’s collection serves and re ects Brook eld?

As a kid, I mined banned book lists for reading material

If someone thought I shouldn’t read something, I was deeply curious as to why. I’ve seen a number of libraries recently appeal to this sentiment with prominent tables highlighting banned books. I like that approach. You can consider me a rewall against censorship.

On a more nuanced angle, the library doesn’t have an endless budget and can’t stock every book. It doesn’t stock pornography and I don’t think it should. My wife and I spoke about this recently, pondering what de nes “pornography” to us. Many of the books that people want to see banned

are described as being “porn.” To me material where the purpose of the content is explicitly to titillate is “pornography.” Material whose sexual content is part of a narrative or educational, is not When asked to remove materials, I’d have the librarians emind patrons that there are plenty of books in the stacks they don’t agree with themselves. The purpose of the library is to open lines of discussion, not shield people from content.

On a broader note, I think our collection already serves the community well. I’ve never had trouble getting books I’d like through SWAN. While I understand the cost constraints of providing digital material, I think we’ve done an excellent job at that as well I’d like to see more “recommended” and curated tables. I walk into bookstores and always nd things to read, because they have tables and displays showcasing interesting books. We have some at the library, but I think more would be ideal. I also love that the library has branched out beyond books and o ers things like STEM material and board games for check out.

What other issues are important to you as library board candidate? How would you advocate for them as a board member?

We need to make sure that we are careful stewards of the community’s tax dollars. I will always promote a balanced budget and an eye towards thrift - so long as we do not sacri ce the quality of programming Brookeld has come to expect from the library.

I’d also like to see closer cooperation with the town. I recall the parks department hosting a summer kicko event the same day that the library was hosting theirs. My kids couldn’t go to both. That speaks to me of a lack of communication that I’d like to see bridged.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

MITZI NORTO N

SEE CANDIDATES’ COMPLETE ANSWERS AND BIOS ONLINE

K ARL A. OLSON

BROOKFIELD LIBRARY BOARD (5 C ANDIDATES FOR 4 OPEN SEATS )

The Brook eld library sta and patrons have now settled into a new building. What do you believe the library board must do in the coming four years to maximize the institution’s potential?

The library board must continue to respond to the needs of the community. The resident survey that began the strategic planning process in October is a great way to get feedback from the community. Continuing to seek input from residents in listening sessions and then building short and long term goals for the library is an excellent way to move forward. Additionally, the library board must continue to identify and safeguard revenue streams, including grants and donors, for the library.

What do you believe is the role of a library in the 21st century? What kind of programming and services should a library o er; and what should it not o er?

Is the Brook eld library meeting its mission now?

When I star ted as an academic librarian 22 years ago, libraries and their patrons looked very di erent from the way they do now. We are more reliant on the internet, mobile devices, and e-content. However, not everyone can a ord all of these technologies or have the knowledge to navigate content. Libraries are places where people can have equal access to these things. In 2023, we are more likely to work from home, par ticipate in the gig economy, or be online content creators. Libraries can o er spaces, equipment, and programming on these newer trends. And yes, in assisting the public with these things, and providing so much more through programming, the library does ful ll its mission to “create a cultural, educational, and informational center for the community  by providing readily accessible and organized materials, programs, and ser vices…”

In the past few years, throughout the nation and even locally, there have been attempts to censor library materials. As a library trustee, how would you suggest sta approach requests to remove materials? Do you believe the library’s collection serves and re ects Brook eld?

As a library board member, my role, in part, is to advocate for the library and set policies for the operation of the library. Currently, there are policies in place that the library and board of trustees follow when an item is challenged for removal from the library. The process is fair and gives the resident an opportunity to express their concerns about an item(s). One of the things I love about Brook eld is the diversity that I see in the village’s residents. We can see ourselves re ected in the schools, the businesses, the residents, and, yes, in the collection at the library. I have witnessed rsthand the library’s willingness to purchase materials that enrich my life and my daughter’s life.

What other issues are important to you as a library board candidate? How would you advocate for them as a board member?

As a trustee, I would like ensure a healthy library budget for any planning or programs that the library would like implement down the road. I know the library just built a beautiful new facility. But, as our diverse populations within the village shift, so must the library. I am interested in serving the Spanish-speaking/ bilingual population in our town. I would like to ensure that the many residents who live in apartment buildings in town know they have library access and encourage them to use the resources o ered through the library. Finally, I hope to put my many years of experience as a librarian and a resident of Brook eld together to serve my hometown.

The candidate’s responses have been edited for print. The full unedited responses can be found online at: rblandmark.com/2023-election-guide

JENNIFER PALIATK A