Danielle Sligar: 2023 candidate for Batavia Unit District 101 school board

Bio

Town: Batavia

Age on Election Day: 40

Occupation: Campus monitor

Employer: Batavia Unit District 101

Previous offices held: None

Q&A

Q: Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

A: I feel motivated to run because it's critical we create the ability for more of the voices in our community to be heard. I hope to bring change by improving communication and transparency, bringing greater diversity and representation - especially within our marginalized groups, and bridge the gaps so our students and teachers feel safe and supported. I want to ensure we provide the tools our students, staff, and community need to be able to thrive in Batavia.

Q: What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring curriculum?

A: The board should adopt and follow state and federal policies while ensuring there are adequate resources for inclusive and relevant curriculum. The board is responsible for communicating with educators and constituents to better understand where inclusive gaps lie.

Following federal and state programming and funding while utilizing community communication will provide our students with the ability to succeed no matter their path outside our schools. We should also motivate students to stay and/or return to Batavia to fulfill their personal and professional endeavors while contributing to new ideas, businesses, and growth of our city while maintaining the ability to afford living here.

Q: Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board?

A: There are issues, and to better understand the needs for improvement it's necessary to maintain an open and trusted communication channel while seeking feedback from the district's staff and families. This is especially important to do with groups who may not typically have a voice in decision making. Taking these steps allows for a more inclusive curriculum. Our K-12 community becomes more well-rounded, relevant, and marketable in future endeavors by learning from a curriculum that is collaborative and acknowledges and celebrates our diversities.

Q: How do you view your role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state authorities?

A: It's imperative to remember that we are a public school district and every child has the right to an equal education regardless of their race, ethnic background, religion, sex, social class, or citizenship. Therefore, no matter how unpopular the decision or what personal feelings may be, the board must be able to ensure every student has access to the resources and opportunities to be provided with an equal education. In addition, every student deserves this access while feeling safe. The board should navigate any gaps in the ability to achieve this by removing personal biases, listening to other's experiences, collaborating when needed, and by making efforts to meet needs within the district's means.

Q: Concerns are growing regarding a new resurgence of the pandemic. If another massive outbreak of infectious disease occurs, what have we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that will guide your decision making?

A: The handling of COVID-19 remains a conflicted and divisive matter. We've learned the community has varying levels of comfort and abilities regarding the handling of precautions and mandates. Our community has members who are high risk and who may also have varied access to medical interventions.

We also know children have different learning styles and may excel more in-person or remotely. It's also important to note that some families may be able to call off work or work remotely while kids are home sick, while other families may have a harder time with child care. We are a community of varying needs, access, and abilities. I believe pivoting to a model of distancing and masking may have provided us with the least disturbance in school and home life in the past. My decision making would be reflective of following factual data, encouragement of field experts, and what local or state guidelines may mandate with the safety and well-being of our students, staff, and community in mind.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions of your school board.

A: My most recent and relevant policy handling would come through my time being on the PTO board and various committees. It required the need to combine the community's goals and hopes with what was within the PTO Board's means while considering rules and budget. I'd strive to do the same with respect to school district policy. I think it's important to work through an equity lens to understand not only who a new policy or change is considering, but also who it isn't. It's equally important to provide a voice for all groups within our community and to actively seek out those who we don't typically hear from. Really listening to our community, asking questions, and trying to understand from various viewpoints will enable policymaking that is geared toward the success of every student in our district.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I possess the ability to provide a new perspective and represent underserved community groups through working with an equity minded lens in my daily and professional life. I realize I may not have the experience or answers to provide the solutions to all our problems. However, I deeply believe in open communication and collaboration at all levels of our district. I believe we are stronger when we learn from others' experiences and backgrounds. Growth and the ability to have a healthy and successful district need to come from acknowledging failure, pivoting when needed, effective communication, providing transparency, and a deep care for the well-being of our students and staff. I believe my personal experiences and the desire to learn from others and use our collective voices to grow make me the candidate our community needs on the school board.

Q: What's one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?

A: Something I'd love to see more of our community think and talk about is the encouragement and utilization of collaboration between our tax paying entities. Repairing and maintaining positive and healthy relationships across the various entities would provide us with the ability to access resources and opportunities that are otherwise out of reach for some students and their families. Working together may provide resources that one entity has access to, but the need for it was otherwise unknown. Connecting and collaborating will not only lead to a more successful school district, but it will also strengthen Batavia as whole, leading to at the very least, better home values, more effective use of taxes, and business success.