Wenda Hunt: 2023 candidate for Palatine School District 15 School Board

Bio

Town: Palatine

Age on Election Day: 48

Occupation: Oncology pharmacist

Employer: Advocate Aurora

Previous offices held: CCSD 15 Board of Education member

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 am running for reelection to continue the work this board started four years ago. Together the board of education built and passed the community-informed Moving 15 Forward plan that will bring to this district full-day kindergarten, improve the safety and security of our schools, and complete needed repairs to our buildings. I believe we need to capitalize on the Moving 15 Forward momentum and see this plan through completion. I also believe we need to develop a new strategic plan that will serve to lead and guide the future CCSD 15. What motivates me is the awe and inspiration I feel as I watch our youth showcase their potential, the pride I feel when the community works together to build for a better tomorrow and the hope that I can be a part of the improvement process. I believe our schools and a highly effective board of education are not just community partners, but leaders.

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

A: The board of education reviews and approves all school policies. School policies should be written to promote best practices, support an inclusive environment that is universally impactful and establish consistency across all the schools within our district. There is a policy for Teaching and Learning that provides the foundation for district school curriculum. Student achievement is tracked and monitored for trends based on demographics and subject matter (e.g. mathematics). Student performance is tracked by the district and education gaps are identified for improvement through curriculum or support services.

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

A: The district's curriculum is aging and in need of a refresher. Most recently the district reviewed the reading curriculum and implemented Fountas and Pinnell literacy levels. The next area of curricular improvement is mathematics, learning materials have already been approved and professional development planning for teaching staff is currently underway. I believe we need to regularly refresh our curriculum to teach for the next generation of students.

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: I believe the board of education is accountable to the students, staff and community we serve. Curriculum must be inclusive, help foster learning that is engaging, and highlight the strengths and abilities of our students. Policy must be written to be inclusive of ALL current and prospective students in the district. When school policy does not help promote inclusivity, further initiatives for diversity, or is inequitable, a correction or update needs to be requested followed by a second reading prior to board approval. I have asked for a handful of school policy corrections or updates during my time as a board of education member and have even met with district staff to better understand the context of the who, what, and why's of a particular policy.

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: As a pharmacist, I believe that it is important to ensure we have open communication with our community health care partners about what they are experiencing. Should this new strain be more difficult to treat, I also believe it is important to have an open dialogue about options to improve community surveillance and mitigate risk. I am cautiously optimistic because although we do have available treatments for COVID-19, they still require careful monitoring. I need to emphasize that prevention is worth so much more than treatment. Scientific principles should still guide our decision making and the knowledge that with any communicable disease, preventive strategies should include frequent hand-washing, masking when you are sick, immunocompromised, or in a high risk environment, and vaccination.

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: The district currently subscribes to the Illinois School Board Association (ISBA) Policy Reference Education Subscription Service also known as PRESS. PRESS releases policy updates routinely and board work includes reading policies, approving the updates or edits and either move the policy forward for second read then final approval OR the board requesting further changes for review. I believe I review every policy with a lens focused on equity. I try to consider the universal impact to every student in the district and may occasionally make recommendations for a revision or correction. I believe I am effective in decision making and being able to reach a consensus with fellow Board members because I always keep student focused attitude. This current board is diverse in thought and backgrounds, I appreciate their varying perspectives and I believe we work incredibly well together.

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

A: There are three seats up for the D15 Board of Education election. As an incumbent candidate, I believe I have delivered on the work we defined as high priority goals established four years ago. With the recently passed Moving 15 Forward Referendum, I believe there is still work to be done and complete such as full day kindergarten, updating facilities and teaching materials, adjusting school boundaries to ensure equitable access for both students and their families. I want to ensure that that district is in a solid financial place for future students, administrations and board of education.

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

A: There is a proverb "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" that reminds us all of the important role parents play in raising and supporting students to be leaders. I believe this proverb resonates deeply with me because I know not just households, but also the community (i.e., schools, churches, friends, extended family) help grow up strong, healthy, intelligent youth. It is an unfortunate reality that the hand rocking the cradle is fast becoming social media, unchecked and unregulated. Our children are scrolling through data at a pace that only stimulates their minds to think quickly and not deeply. If we as an education system do not partner with parents and the community to solve our social dilemma, we may lose the ability to see the best of our youth. Eduction and the community can win our students and society back - we just have to decide for ourselves, does getting dialed into social media outlets help make our community better?