Elizabeth Bauer: 2023 candidate for Township High School District 214 School Board

Bio

Town: Arlington Heights

Age on Election Day: 53

Occupation: Actuary

Employer: Blue Cross Blue Shield

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: Though there are many issues of concern, my first focus is transparency and oversight, prodding the board to make decisions in public not only to the degree to which it is legally required, but also whenever it is in the public interest to do so, and, in addition, to exercise the necessary oversight over district decisions in ways which appear to be lacking at the moment. For example, it was recently reported both that the board terminated CFO Cathy Johnson and purchased a new building, outside of the public eye. As another example, the district is, to an unknown extent, adopting "Earned Honors" (elimination of honors classes) and "Grading for Equity." A third example is the Transeo contract. Other issues of concern include apparent lack of responsiveness by the district and the board to parents' concerns (and failure to solicit parents' feedback about issues of concern), the lack of collaboration across schools, and the need to be open about and address the needs of at-risk students.

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

A: At this point, the district has taken too much of a "hands-off" approach. While the school board should not be micromanaging the process of (for example) textbook selection, the district should ensure that general principles are met, including consistency across schools as far as possible, access to differentiated curriculum (this goes both ways: keeping/restoring access to honors classes and, in addition, providing access to non-honors classes in areas where these are currently missing; at some of the schools, there are no science electives for seniors other than AP classes), no politicized or ideological instruction, and the like, and should respond to specific areas of concern. In addition, the school board should ensure that curriculum is available upon request and be open to feedback from parents on the curriculum, even soliciting it in an ongoing manner.

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

A: In the short term, the board needs to be open with the public about the "earned honors" classes at Elk Grove and Meadows. This is supposedly part of a pilot program but the criteria for evaluation have not been made public, nor has any interim evaluation. Note that in other school districts, the school board has weighed in on the changes even before the pilot was ever implemented and tracked its progress; not so in district 214. In addition, I have myself had discussions with parents who report that the quality of these classes falls well below expectations.

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: A school board member is obligated to do what she believes is right, even if unpopular. In the event that there are significant disagreements among district residents, it is important to look for means of finding a common ground wherever possible. Lastly, with respect to the role of state authorities, we saw in the response to COVID that the district was too quick to cite CDC and state government guidance as "mandates" even when parents and districts who pushed back obtained favorable court judgments.

Q: Amid the departure of longtime Superintendent David Schuler, what should the district be looking for in its next superintendent? Do you approve of the general direction of the district under Schuler or do substantive changes need to be made?

A: The district is undoubtedly doing many things right, however, D214 is very accustomed to touting the successes of several of the individual schools, but the demographics of the district are changing, a growing percentage of students are classified as "low income," and there are stark disparities in academic performance between at-risk students and others. This has been exacerbated by the pandemic but is not new. We need a superintendent with skills to work on this issue while at the same time steering clear of "fads" or politicized classrooms. More generally, in addition to the general skillset of a superintendent, D214's next superintendent should have a strong reputation for being responsive (with openness and honesty) to parent concerns.

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: We have learned that the harms of continued school closures were far greater, and the benefits much smaller than initially believed. We have learned that an eagerness for certain answers led to decisions without a firm scientific basis. We have learned that administrators at all levels of government have a tendency to "pass the buck" in terms of decision-making, with disputes over what constitutes a "mandate" or optional "guidance." All this adds up to the need to be much more cautious and consider all the ramifications before implementing building closures or other restrictions in the future.

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: District 214 is, and has been for the past 16 years, controlled by a seven-member slate whose approach to decision-making has been to work outside out the public eye, or to delegate to the superintendent to too great a degree. My initial efforts will therefore be directed at ensuring that key decisions are voted on by the board, and key information is disclosed to the public.

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

A: First, I have been advocating for transparency, oversight, and accountability for the past two years. Second, due to my professional background, I am able to read and analyze studies and data, and interpret budgets and finances. Third, unlike the two incumbents, I have a child currently in a D214 school and two recent graduate children. I have had a variety of experiences, good and bad, with D214.

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

A: We have learned from the COVID closures that, while many students struggle with remote learning, others are happy with the option. At the same time, the district has established midday "shuttles" and all schools now operate on a common bell schedule. Lastly, Wheeling is forecast to drop significantly in enrollment due to families moving out of the catchment area as their kids hit high school, yet alone among all the schools, has a nanotech lab. It seems to me the time is ripe to offer more programs to students at all schools, whether it's a specialized class for which the enrollment wouldn't be high enough at any one school but which could be taught via zoom, or whether it's using Wheeling's extra space to bus students for a half-day for STEM classes, or other collaborative ideas.