Chanda Schwartz: 2023 candidate for Elgin Area School District U-46 board

Bio

Town: Bartlett

Age on Election Day: 46

Occupation: Admissions officer

Employer: Northwestern University

Previous offices held: U-46 Community Advisory Council (CAC) chair, Unite U-46 Community co-chair, Alignment Collaborative for Education (ACE) operating board member, U-46 CAC vice chair, U-46 CAC Specialized Student Services Committee co-chair, DuPage Area Moms board of directors vice president, Mothers & More DuPage Chapter co-chair, and Mothers & More DuPage Chapter secretary

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 school board because I am passionate about serving and giving back to our community. I started serving in the district to stay informed and contribute to moving the district forward.

As a parent with two students who attend U-46 schools, I have learned the ins and outs of navigating the district and advocating for a student with special needs. I have enjoyed getting to know members of our community, serving alongside parents, community members, and staff.

I want to bring my experience and service in the district to the school board. I value education and I care about supporting the needs of all students. I believe in academic success for all and that when we support our staff, we support our students.

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

A: The Curriculum & Instruction department designs curriculum. We also have the U-46 Instructional Council, an advisory group who makes recommendations to the superintendent and board of education related to curriculum and other areas.

The school board is guided by board policy in adopting and monitoring curriculum. It is the superintendent of the district who recommends a comprehensive curriculum that is aligned with specific criteria.

The school board's role is to adopt a curriculum, upon recommendation of the superintendent, that satisfies the specified criteria per board policy.

Current curriculum is monitored, reviewed, and reported to the school board through a curriculum review program developed by the superintendent.

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

A: With the advancements of artificial intelligence and the buzz around ChatGPT, there is a shift that will need to happen in our educational system in the near future.

Figuring out what that shift will look like and how to adapt is important. With this technology, the answers to most traditional homework questions are just a few keyboard clicks away.

It will be important to understand how this technology may be leveraged as a potential tool in teaching curriculum and doing so without compromising the originality of student assignments.

Furthermore, we can expand how we teach about the advancements of technology and how students can leverage them.

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: When confronting policy or curriculum controversies, balance is key. I am flexible, thoughtful, and objective in decision making. There should always be space to give a voice to constituents even ones with whom I disagree. It is important to understand concerns as these are necessary conversations to move forward in governance and as a community.

There will be times when leadership, even if unpopular is needed and there will be times when we will have to address issues at the state level. If there are mandates at the state level, communication on how they may affect our district is important.

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: During the pandemic, we learned how to adapt to the constantly changing guidelines and mandates. Our district worked with three county health departments, adhered to state and federal guidelines/mandates to mitigate risk, and continued to educate our students.

They provided equitable access to technology, internet, and food.

Looking back on how we adapted, understanding what worked well, and recognizing areas for improvement will guide my decision-making in how we proceed should another outbreak of infectious disease occur.

We will need to work together to make the best decisions in order to continue educating our students, minimize learning loss, foster mental wellness for students and staff, and adapt as needed.

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: While serving on the executive committee of the U-46 Community Advisory Council (CAC), the committee has had to review our policies and amend bylaws.

During the pandemic, we had to modify our meeting model and consider policy changes. I have also served in other board roles in nonprofit organizations, helping to develop policies. My style is to listen to all views when working to reach an agreement and manage policy.

It is also important to regularly review policies for effectiveness and assess risks to understand how policies will impact our district, staff, and students.

As a school board member, I will be a voice for those who are not in the room and an advocate for the U-46 community when policy decisions are being made. I will listen to understand while collaborating with fellow board members to determine policy and govern effectively.

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

A: I have lived in the district for 21-plus years. I understand navigating the district as a parent and advocating for students with special needs.

I have served the district in various capacities through community involvement and leadership. I have worked to inform parents, be a voice, promote engagement, and support students and staff. I am committed to continuing this work. I am collaborative, thoughtful, and objective in decision-making.

I have professional experience in software engineering, project management, nonprofit administration, board governance, and university admissions.

I am passionate about serving our district and community to foster the conditions for student success. I believe that I will bring a balanced approach and broad perspective to the school board.

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

A: We lost significant face-to-face interaction through the pandemic. Mass communication through technology doesn't always reach the families whose students may have special education needs.

Reaching out to families who do not know about the specialized student services resources in our district and creating a partnership with families can help to broaden our reach.

This could be in the form of a family partner/liaison who is assigned a group of families in our district to reach out to them personally and ensure that they are aware of the services available to their students.