Corine Burns: 2025 candidate for Huntley Unit District 158 board

Bio

Office Sought: Huntley Unit District 158 board (Vote for 4)

City: Algonquin

Age: 40

Occupation: Director, IT Application Delivery

Previous offices held: N/A

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

I am running for the District 158 school board to ensure all students receive a high-quality education. As a stepmom to a high school sophomore and a mom of three in the district, I have a personal stake in our schools' success. My husband and I moved to Algonquin in 2016 for the district’s strong reputation, and I am committed to preserving that excellence.

Since 2020, I have been an active voice at board meetings, a classroom volunteer, and a member of key committees like PTAC and the Huntley158 Guiding Team. I am dedicated to academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and a safe learning environment.

The pandemic caused learning loss, and I will support initiatives to help students thrive. I will also advocate for the responsible use of taxpayer dollars. Strong schools benefit the entire community, and I am ready to bring my leadership and problem-solving skills to the board to ensure the best for our students and families.

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

The school board plays a vital role in overseeing curriculum to ensure alignment with state standards, best practices, and community values. While administrators lead curriculum development, the board approves major changes, evaluates outcomes, and ensures transparency.

District 158 offers initiatives like curriculum workshops, advisory committees (PTAC, Strategic Planning), and Curriculum Night to engage the community — all of which I’ve participated in. However, low attendance raises concerns about accessibility and engagement.

The board must also ensure transparency in curriculum decisions, especially for pilot programs. My children participated in a pilot math program, yet I was never formally informed or given the chance to provide feedback. The board should advocate for clear communication and structured input from parents, teachers, and students to uphold academic excellence and community trust.

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

I recognize that academic recovery and excellence must remain top priorities. While our district has improved in English Language Arts (ELA) post-pandemic, math proficiency remains a challenge. In 2023-24, 54.6% of students met or exceeded ELA standards, but math proficiency lags at 40.8%, highlighting the need for stronger interventions.

SAT scores reflect these trends, emphasizing the importance of reinforcing core skills. Students with disabilities and low-income backgrounds were disproportionately affected by learning loss and need focused resources. As a parent of children with IEP and 504 plans, I understand these challenges firsthand.

At the Curriculum Night in November, I reviewed student data, confirming the pandemic’s impact still lingers. If elected, I will advocate for academic excellence by supporting interventions, closing achievement gaps, and ensuring all students have access to rigorous coursework.

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?

I have been actively involved in my children’s education — speaking at board meetings, engaging with teachers, and addressing concerns with administrators. I am not afraid to advocate for parents and students. As a school board member, I will ensure all voices are heard in decisions that impact them.

When addressing policy or curriculum controversies, I will provide leadership — even when unpopular — while fostering open, honest discussions to maintain transparency and accountability. I believe in questioning policies that may not align with students’ best interests, rather than deferring to state authorities.

My priority is advocating for academic excellence, fiscal responsibility, and a learning environment that reflects our community’s values. Decisions should be data-driven, responsive to students’ needs, and free from political influence. I am committed to standing up for parents and ensuring their voices are represented at the board table.

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 a director of IT, I collaborate across business areas to establish policies, ensuring all voices are heard. Decisions can’t be made in silos — stakeholder input is essential for well-rounded, effective outcomes.

My leadership is assertive, forward-thinking, and results-driven. I’m decisive and confident yet open to innovation and challenges to the status quo. I analyze complex systems, recognize trends, and drive efficient solutions for meaningful policy decisions.

I communicate directly to ensure clarity and efficiency. These qualities are crucial for the school board, where collaboration shapes data-driven, goal-oriented policies. By challenging norms while fostering teamwork, I will ensure decisions are transparent and in the best interest of our district’s success.

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.

I believe the district should follow state law regarding diversity and equity initiatives while being cautious about grants and funding that come with stipulations misaligned with our community’s values.

The primary focus of our schools must always be academics, ensuring that all students receive a high-quality education that prepares them for future success. While fostering an inclusive environment is important, it should not come at the expense of core academic excellence.

We need administrators who prioritize student achievement, ensuring that resources are directed toward improving literacy, math proficiency, and critical thinking skills. Special agendas should not overshadow the district’s primary mission: equipping students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am the best candidate for the District 158 school board because of my leadership experience, commitment to academic excellence, and dedication to fiscal responsibility. As a director of IT, I manage budgets, drive strategic initiatives, and make data-driven decisions — skills that directly translate to overseeing a school district.

My involvement in District 158 includes volunteering in classrooms, serving on PTAC to improve discipline and attendance policies, and contributing to the Strategic Planning Guiding Team. I’ve actively attended school board meetings, advocating for policies that prioritize academics and parental involvement while opposing ideological agendas.

As a parent with children in District 158 schools, I understand the importance of a strong educational foundation. I will work to keep schools safe, focused on learning, and financially responsible. My leadership in the DeVore mask lawsuit shows my commitment to standing up for what’s right. I am running to give parents a voice, ensure transparency, and uphold high academic standards.

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

One critical issue being overlooked is the growing risk of harmful online content and digital radicalization among students. While District 158 has strong cyberbullying policies, we must do more to protect students from extremist communities that glorify violence and target vulnerable youth.

A ProPublica investigation highlighted how teens like Natalie Rupnow and Solomon Henderson were radicalized through online platforms, some of which students have accessed on school devices. This underscores the need for stronger protections.

I propose enhanced online monitoring to block extremist sites, expanded digital literacy education, and increased parental outreach through programs like SmartSocial. Collaboration with law enforcement can help identify threats, while expanded mental health support can address vulnerabilities before they escalate.

We must act now to safeguard students from these digital dangers. This isn’t just about internet safety — it’s about protecting our children’s futures.