Beth Rankin: 2025 candidate for Park Ridge Elementary District 64 board

Bio

Office sought: Park Ridge Elementary District 64 board (Vote for 4)

City: Park Ridge

Age: 45

Occupation: Research administration

Previous offices held: N/A

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

The decision-making process to run for District 64 school board involved weighing the cost of time away from my family against the desire to invest in the schools they and their peers attend.

Those schools have a well-earned reputation for quality education, committed staff, and positive family involvement. However, like any district, improvement is always possible and unanticipated changes require thoughtful leadership.

My personal motivations include fostering an environment that is supportive for educators, including administrators; reinforcing the social/emotional health of students; and growing the District commitment to environmental sustainability.

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

The school board approves curriculum adoption but most members may not be as qualified to assess a curriculum as are the educators who implement one.

District 64 has a systematic process for curriculum review, and staff at the district and building levels who undertake this work regularly.

Members of the school board can respond to a proposed adoption by asking questions to verify a curriculum will meet state learning standards, align with the strategic plan, support community expectations for rigor, offer flexibility for differentiation, include diverse perspectives, incorporate technology strategically, and use financial resources responsibly. The board can monitor curriculum effectiveness through instructional leadership’s regular reports on student achievement.

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

Like most school districts, ours is catching up on learning loss from COVID interruptions, particularly in math. The Illinois State Board of Education recently announced that support for this need is coming soon.

The administration and board can review the plans once more information is available. Support for students with special needs is also an ongoing challenge, and one where parental partnership is critical.

Along with districts nationwide, District 64 will need to navigate changes from the federal level as they continue to protect the rights of the students they serve.

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?

The primary role of the board is to engage with community stakeholders in the interest of leading the district and advancing its educational mission within the state’s laws and regulations.

So yes, constituents should have a voice in the discussions around controversial topics. In fact, school board members can have a tremendous effect on the relative productivity of those conversations.

Board members who actively listen, identify and mitigate their biases, incorporate evidence to inform their positions, and work to build consensus can successfully navigate challenging issues. Those are the principles of collaboration I would uphold if elected.

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.

The revision and implementation of policies for sponsored funding fall under my role at work. In creating policy it is important to anticipate questions and scenarios and address them within the text. It is also critical to get input from those who will implement a policy and those most affected by it. On my team, we “beta test” a draft before finalizing.

A good policy should include a clear purpose and rationale for the position, provide guidance on implementation, and must align to the mission.

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 current (2021-26) strategic plan includes a goal to “Enhance Diversity, Inclusion, Equity, & Access” along with four measurable objectives to support it. These objectives range from adjusting staff recruitment efforts to providing access to inclusive materials for students.

In areas like ours where the population has traditionally been somewhat homogeneous, I welcome these efforts to expand our community and give students a wider view of the world.

I am also aware that activities that support diversity, equity, and inclusion are at risk in some places. When discussing DEI, a board member should refer to research on the effect of inclusive educational practices. Experts in teaching and learning have found that inclusive practices enhance learning for all students.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am among several great candidates for the job, and it’s important to note that the school board is a 7-member body. There isn’t one individual that accomplishes the work alone and each member brings their insights and ideas. What I can contribute is the perspective of a parent of K-5 children, career experience in the highly-regulated administration of grant funding, knowledge of state policy, awareness of our community’s priorities, and dedication to upholding the district mission for all students.

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

Zero-waste events, which would require coordination between the district, Green Team, and PTAs. That kind of collaboration for improving our district’s environmental footprint is one opportunity I am eager to explore.