Aaron Kilburg: 2025 candidate for Batavia Unit District 101 board

Bio

Office sought: Batavia Unit District 101 board

City: Batavia

Age: 52

Occupation: Commercial sales manager

Previous offices held: Current Batavia District 101 board member

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

I am running for office because I want to serve my community. I have lived in Batavia for over 20 years, and I love my community and the people who live here. I also have two children currently attending District 101 schools and another who graduated from Batavia High School in 2024, so I am heavily invested in the success of the district.

I come from a family of educators. My grandmother taught in a one-room schoolhouse during the Depression, and my father was a teacher and served on the Geneva school board for 12 years.

I understand the importance of good governance and the role a school board plays for a district to function properly. I do not have a singular issue that motivates me, but I am passionate about doing my part to create the conditions necessary for success in the district.

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

The district has policies and procedures and a curriculum committee that is teacher focused for determining curriculum, and the materials used for instruction and in the library.

There are standards the district uses for making choices, and new textbooks are put on display for 30 days for the community to review and provide feedback before the board votes to approve. I encourage all in the community to participate in this process and provide feedback. I am not a curriculum expert, so I rely on the experts within the district, while also taking in community feedback and using my own judgment when making decisions on how I vote for approvals of curriculum and teaching materials.

The board must always monitor performance. The district has an ambitious 5-year strategic plan that was recently implemented. The board will be checking in at regular intervals to monitor student success and to make sure the curriculum is serving the needs of students to help them achieve at the highest levels.

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

In June 2024, the board adopted a new 5-year strategic plan, setting a clear vision for the future of the district. A top priority of the plan is enhancing teaching and learning practices, with a focus on literacy instruction.

The district will be implementing evidence-based literacy programs across all grade levels to improve reading skills and academic performance. The bottom line is we are working to align the entire district, K-12, to the common goals of improving reading and English proficiency.

The district will use metrics that have been agreed upon by various stakeholders, such as our teachers, to hold ourselves accountable. The district has made a commitment to the community to review the data on a regular basis in a public forum so we can be transparent in our progress and also make necessary course corrections as needed. The district has a plan and is committed to giving students, families, and teachers the tools, supports and transparent collaboration necessary to maximize learning and success for BPS101 students.

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 am always listening to the community for feedback. The board governs the district through its policies, and I am one of two board members on the policy committee.

During our public meetings policies are reviewed to make sure they are in compliance with local, state and federal laws, and also to ensure the policy is giving the proper clarity and direction to help the district to create procedures to help it achieve goals.

There are standards the district uses for making choices, and new textbooks are put on display for 30 days for the community to review and provide feedback before the board votes to approve. We also listen to community feedback, and review policies that relate to that feedback. This has happened during my tenure on the policy committee and board and will continue as such moving forward.

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.

I have worked in group settings my entire career, and I have a collaborative style. I try to gather as much information as possible and seek out as many different perspectives as possible when tasked with making a difficult decision. I always strive to understand all perspectives and do what I think is best for the district and community. I understand the importance of the work the board of education does.

During my tenure on the board, I have a proven track record of working with colleagues, administration, the community, and other stakeholders to reach decisions that will produce positive outcomes for students and the district.

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.

The district is continually moving forward to meet the evolving needs of the community, the diverse student population it serves, and those employed by the district.

The approval of the current 5-year strategic plan was an important step forward to meet those needs, as it creates a comprehensive north star for the district to aim for.

The diversity of the district is one of its greatest strengths in my opinion. Kids must feel welcome and comfortable attending school. We must work to take steps to reduce bullying, both physical and cyber, and make sure every student feels welcome and accepted.

The district must be transparent and honest in examining strengths and weakness, and through collaboration with the community and all stakeholders, develop data-driven action plans, procedures, and policies to help students and the district achieve ambitious goals. The district is committed to conducting regular equity audits.

As a board member, I am committed to amplifying student voice and creating pathways to strengthen family and community partnerships. During my tenure on the board, we have had the hard discussions, and we will continue to have them.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

These are the qualities that make me a good school board member. I am curious, I am ethical, I am collaborative, and I believe in seeking out different points of view. I’m willing to put in the work to understand issues so I can make good decisions. I believe we need to live within our means. I believe in treating all people with respect. I believe in transparent, visible leadership. I believe in challenging students and providing the resources necessary for success. I believe in rolling up your sleeves and doing the hard work necessary to support students, teachers, staff, families, and our schools.

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

I am a strong proponent of amplifying student voice. As a member of the student ambassador selection committee, I have been a vocal proponent of empowering students to use their voice to help us create a stronger district and implement better learning experiences.

I am not the only one talking about this subject, indeed the superintendent is a champion for seeking out student voice, but I believe we need to keep our work student focused. Listening to our students will help the district make better decisions now and in the future.