District 54 school board candidates share qualifications, visions for future direction
In a five-way race for four seats on the Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 board of education in the April 1 election, one newcomer who attended the schools in her youth is seeking a spot on the dais amid a united team of incumbents wanting to return.
A’Seret Dokubo recently moved back to the district to raise her two children and joined a ballot where incumbents Bob Kaplan, Jim Pye, Debbie Schmidt and Nicholas Scipione are seeking reelection.
Dokubo, who’s worked as a special-education teacher and administrator, said she benefited from District 54’s strong academics during her own childhood, when she was one of only a few students of color. She hopes to encourage a sense of belonging among all students.
Dokubo added she’s running to be a fresh voice on the board, not a squeaky wheel.
“I am committed to being in Schaumburg, committed to being in District 54, to have my kids go through a superstrong, well-rounded, diverse school district,” she said. “And part of that is just my commitment to wanting to contribute and give back.”
Schmidt is seeking her second term and has lived in the community for 20 years, sending three children through its schools, which she regards as the true anchor.
A health care IT director, Schmidt has confidence in the diverse backgrounds of the seven current board members to address any and all challenges the district will face.
“We are doing very strategic, directional conversation at the board level,” she said. “The fact that we can speak so authentically at that table and then walk out with one voice, it kind of feels like magic. So I want to stay.”
A science teacher and department head in Glenbard Township High School District 87, Scipione has previously served on the Schaumburg Township District Library board and as a village of Schaumburg plan commissioner.
As both an educator and the father of two children, Scipione said everyone at District 54 is working toward the same goal of creating a safe and secure learning environment as well as protecting students’ mental health. He said the current members of the board are ready to hit the ground running in the continuance of that mission.
“So I have established relationships from day one with government entities, community groups, our PTAs,” he said. “These folks are all working toward the same goal of what’s best for student — that student-first attitude.”
Kaplan is a retired educator who’s been appointed twice and elected twice to the District 54 board, as well as being another homegrown product of the community.
He said it’s hard to articulate why he’s still seeking to be involved, other than his love for public education. He is looking forward to experiencing elementary school anew through his grandchildren’s eyes.
“I come to the board for a couple of reasons,” he said. “I’ve done it as my vocation, my role in life. I love kids, I love public education, I love being on the board, and I hope I can continue that.”
Pye is the current board president, has a background in real estate, and is also a graduate of District 54. He wants to protect the district’s debt-free status, advocated for a safety audit and is pleased with how the current board has chosen the staff.
“I’m proud of what we’ve done in this district,” he said. “I want to continue to make District 54 one of the best school districts in the country.”
Pye believes the district has proved phenomenal in addressing and overcoming learning disabilities. He sees his service as a continuation of giving back to the community for more than 40 years — working for satisfaction rather than financial compensation.
A forum for the District 54 candidates moderated by the League of Women Voters of the Palatine, Barrington & Schaumburg Areas will run from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road in Schaumburg.
The forum is being recorded and made available on the LWVPBS-Areas’ YouTube channel at lwvpalatinearea.org.