Hetal Lee: 2023 candidate for Glenbard High School District 87 board, 4-year seat

Bio

Town: Glendale Heights

Age on Election Day: 50

Occupation: Architectural engineer

Employer: Jones Lang LaSalle

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: As a member of a school board, I can share my business and life experience to benefit our community. I believe all students should have a quality public school education and I want to be a part of that. I believe our community wants competent adults making decisions and ensure their concerns are represented.

So I think that candidates like me, who are not coming in with an agenda, but instead want to do our best to make the right decisions, can be successful and make a difference. I have a personal interest in preserving and improving the quality of our school system as I have a son attending Glenbard North High School. I can also help influence the fiscal health of the district and where voter taxpayer money is spent.

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

A: School boards are responsible for creating the overall educational vision of a district's public schools which includes setting a school's curriculum, upholding board policy, and partnering with professionals like teachers and administrators in the development of the curriculum.

School board members should offer support and resources to the educators that are creating the curriculum while monitoring its progress. The board's duty to create policy and setting goals that puts emphasis on student learning.

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

A: I feel we need to put emphasis on STEM curriculum and options for females. The STEM industry is still heavily male dominated and we need to do more as a district to attract females to those types of professions.

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: An important attribute is to be a good listener. We have to understand what is important to constituents, respectful of others opinions and be able to engage in positive conversation.

If you do not understand what others are truly says, it is hard to come to a concessions on a topic. My idea or your idea is not the most important but perhaps they are both equality important and warranty a mindful discussion. As a board member, it is our job to continue to be a leader, understand the policy from which we follow and use devices within those policies resolve issues.

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 had different affects on different people. There is no one size fits all and as a community we have to be mindful of that while continuing to provide superior education from top educators and being respectful of peoples' personal beliefs.

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: In my current profession, I implemented a system to help organize the communication between my co-workers to enhance our productivity as a team. It helped us delegate tasks more easily, which led to earlier completion dates. My style also includes being collaborative and inclusive while keeping on track with the policy.

Prioritizing the critical path to achieve the desired outcomes will assist in keeping on track for that policy. Being outcome based in decision making is essential when creating policy and working within a team. The end result is having respect for other board members' positions/options and coming to a resolution that is most impactful to the district.

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

A: I really feel any school board should have members with varying professionals' backgrounds. Professionals with backgrounds in financials, engineering, education, for example.

How do you know you are getting the best options to consider when making decisions? We spend a lot of tax dollars on infrastructure and capital improvements, so it is vital to have some experts who can evaluate and speak to that field. Being in the engineering and technology fields, I feel I can provide other female students another professional option to consider.

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

A: Providing an option for students to take specialty elective classes at other district schools that are not provided at their school. This can help broaden not only the knowledge base of the student but open doors for areas of interest that the student might not have considered.