Zubair Khan: 2023 candidate for Palatine School District 15 School Board

Bio

Town: Palatine

Age on Election Day: 46

Occupation: Attorney

Employer: Trivedi & Khan

Previous offices held: CCSD 15 Board of Education

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 have served on the District 15 Board of Education for the past 8 years. We have always been a quality school district, but after honest assessments of areas where we fall short (equity, facilities) we have taken significant steps to achieve real change for our ever-changing student body. I am running for reelection because I can be a true steward of the Moving 15 Forward plan that led to the historic referendum passed in November 2022. The plan will include full-day kindergarten, middle school and construction at all schools. If the plan is executed properly, there will be tangible benefits for all students. It is a great responsibility and it is essential that we keep together a board that has worked well and achieved great things. It is important that the new board makes the correct decisions with the ultimate goals of the plan in mind. That means that we must be disciplined in our approach, follow the expected timeline, and have regular public reporting of our progress.

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

A: The school board serves as the public voice for all issues, including curriculum. While the administration is the most qualified to create a curriculum, the school board serves a crucial role to ensure that the curriculum meets state standards and that the public's views and values and considered when making curriculum decisions.

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

A: I strongly believe that our curriculum must meet the challenges of modern public life. Traditionally, we measure progress by whether students are ready for success in high-school. While that is essential, there is so much more to consider. Recently, our district created the "Portrait of a District 15 Graduate," which demonstrated the type of graduate we want to see in District 15. We need to make sure that our graduates have strong core skills while also being empathic individuals with more diverse understanding of the world we live in. Technology has changed the nature of the workforce. It is far more likely that our children will interact with people from around the globe. The curriculum and teaching methods must reflect these realities. Students must be strong in their basic skills, but also have values that will help them succeed in their personal and professional lives.

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 leadership is why we are elected to the board of education. Sometimes that means expressing unpopular opinions. However, it is extremely important that a board member has a good idea of the constituents' concerns. I believe leadership is considering a plethora of opinions. This consideration must be filtered through a set of core beliefs and values. My core beliefs have been on display for the past eight years. I believe in high academic standards, equity reflected throughout our decision-making, and the school's seminal role in creating well-rounded, well-adjusted students.

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 pandemic was an unprecedented crisis. There was no operating manual for it. I am very proud of how our district handled the pandemic. Very quickly, we made sure all students had computers and wireless routers. We hired a large number of teachers that allowed us to offer a hybrid model to our students. We were able to get students back to school earlier than many of our neighboring districts. Masking, in-person learning and quarantining were all very emotional issues for students and parents. I believe we balanced those concerns in an effort to get our students back in school. We have learned that remote learning is a stopgap measure that cannot replace in-person learning. There are real consequences to children's social, emotional and academic well-being when they cannot be at school with their peers. We must still be guided by science and safety must still be the top priority, but we cannot ignore the long term effects of keeping children at home.

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: I try to use a very straight forward style to reach consensus on policy. I have regularly worked with board members who clearly do not share the same political views as me. Difference of opinion is not only acceptable, it is crucial to the development of the best policies. There is no better way to evaluate your opinions than to hear the opposite ones. I believe I have been effective in working together with two completely different boards and two superintendents. My experience as a trial attorney helps me productively disagree on policy issues. I tend to be level-headed when criticisms occur whether on the board or in the community. It simply does not bother me, and I enjoy the discourse.

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

A: I believe that experience matters on the board. I learned many lessons over the past eight years. I experienced two separate administrations, multiple labor contracts, a pandemic response and wholesale changes in how we educate our children. I have shown a real commitment in making sure that we maintain excellent standards while ensuring that all of our students receive equal opportunities. I have been passionate about equity and diversity in our district since day one, which led to the creation of the equity committee on the board where I continue to serve. Personally, I have a real connection with this community that helps me understand it. My wife and I attended District 15 schools, and our three kids have or are attending the same schools. I can personally attest to the changes that District 15 has made to create a positive and impactful experience for all children. I will not let children fall through the cracks. We need to reelect myself, Samantha Ader and Wenda Hunt.

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

A: I strongly believe in the value of experiential learning. All students can benefit from experiencing arts, culture, history, community service and more outside the classroom. The strength of District 15 comes from its amazing diversity. I love the fact that our district serves students from different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. This serves as a great foundation for a broader and more empathic understanding in our kids. There are many nearby opportunities to involve our students in community service. When learning history, science, and social studies, our students should be inspired by visiting museums, community centers, and historical sites. Living near Chicago helps. These excursions have been limited over the years. Let's take advantage of all our resources in the community to help create more informed, well-rounded students.