Andrew Dogan: 2025 candidate for Central Unit District 301 board (2-year term)

Bio

Office sought: Central Unit District 301 board (2-year term)

City: Elgin

Age: 49

Occupation: Architect

Previous offices held: Park and Recreation Advisory Board, City of Elgin; Planning and Zoning Commission, City of Elgin

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I am running for office to put student outcomes over adult interests; to improve declining teacher retention, pay, and working conditions; to improve CTE, accelerated, and fine arts offerings; and stop unnecessary spending such as the $9 million spent by district taxpayers on a 300-acre land purchase and architectural services for a new high school that voters rejected three times.

It is time for new leadership that leads with listening, empathy, and compassion.

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

I feel the role of a board is to set framework, goals and priorities for a high-quality, apolitical curriculum that the board approves through policy, while holding the superintendent and district staff accountable for specifics.

The board should be continuously monitoring student outcomes to evaluate whether changes to said framework, policy, priorities, and goals are needed. I believe it is important for a board to understand its purview with respect to curriculum and the role of both staff, state law, and ISBE in its development.

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

I do not believe the board should dictate curriculum at the classroom level. However, our teachers are currently prohibited from accessing materials on district computers that they can use to supplement and reinforce the curriculum they teach, and we must give them all the resources they need to be the best teachers they can.

At the same time, the BOE can set policy to establish new programs or enhance existing offerings. This is needed to improve CTE, accelerated/gifted, and fine arts offerings.

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?

My role as a BOE member will be to listen to and understand the concerns of the entire community — even those I may personally disagree with — and advocate for change where possible. At the same time, it is important tor the community to understand that certain curriculum and policy decisions are mandated by state law that a BOE cannot circumvent without consequences to our students.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions for your school board.

As the chief operating officer of my company, it is my job on a daily basis to set policy and standards for our operations in a collaborative, inclusive manner. I reach out to all stakeholders and affected employees within the company to understand how a potential management decision of policy will affect everyone.

Similarly, I will listen to and engage with the community both outside and inside board meetings to understand concerns and solicit feedback that will inform my decisions and votes as a BOE member.

What is your assessment of the school district's diversity and equity efforts? Do you support the continuation or enhancement of such programs, or would you rather see them diminished. Please explain your reasoning.

Our district has equal opportunity employment and minority recruitment policies that I believe should be continued. We absolutely should make an effort to recruit and retain educators and employees that reflect the increasing diversity of our district population.

However, I believe that mandates or quotas around hiring certain races or ethnicities — while well-intended — may not always be possible to achieve in every position, and therefore should not be broadly implemented in our district.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I make it a priority to listen, build consensus, and lead with purpose and humility. My experience in community-focused architecture and consensus-building will help lead the district to a community-driven solution to current and future space needs in our district.

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

It may seem like a very narrowly focused thing, but 301 is one of only two districts in Kane County without an orchestra program. Almost no other offering within a school system is more correlated with high academic achievement than orchestra.

Students who play a string instrument learn teamwork and discipline while learning a skill that can be practiced for the rest of their lives. A strong orchestra program will improve student outcomes and make our district a more desirable destination for families.