Carla N. Little: 2025 candidate for Woodland Elementary District 50 board

Bio

Office sought: Woodland Elementary District 50 board (Vote for 4)

City: Gurnee

Age: 62

Occupation: Retired public health

Previous offices held: Woodland District 50 board member since 1999

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

I am running for reelection to the Woodland District 50 board to serve the community because I believe every child deserves access to high-quality public schools that focus on educating the whole child — academically, socially, and emotionally.

Our schools play a crucial role in shaping the future of our children and, by extension, our community. I am committed to ensuring that we provide a well-rounded education that nurtures not only academic excellence but also emotional well-being, creativity, and critical thinking.

I want to continue the work of collaborating with teachers, parents, and administrators to build a school system that meets the diverse needs of every student and prepares them for success in high school and beyond.

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

The school board reviews and approves the curriculum to ensure that it aligns with the district's goals and meets the needs of the community. In addition, the board ensures that necessary professional development, resources, and tools are provided to support effective curriculum implementation.

One of the board’s key responsibilities is to monitor the curriculum’s effectiveness in promoting student learning. This is done through regular updates from the superintendent and designated personnel, which include monthly and annual reports on student achievement and progress.

By staying informed on these metrics, the board can ensure that the curriculum is not only implemented well but also continuously adjusted to improve student outcomes.

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

Our district does an excellent job preparing students for success in high school and beyond, as evidenced by their strong performance in math, English, and the arts. However, it’s important to always stay ahead by researching and implementing best practices in teaching and learning to ensure we’re providing the best possible education.

I believe we should continue to focus on strengthening our core subjects while also exploring ways to offer more enrichment opportunities that can expand students’ learning experiences.

For example, I would love to see more languages offered in our schools, which can open doors to a broader cultural understanding and global opportunities. Additionally, providing more avenues for scientific and artistic expression can foster creativity and critical thinking skills.

By expanding our curriculum in these areas, we can ensure that students are not only excelling academically but also developing a well-rounded set of skills for the future.

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?

As a school board member, my role is to represent the community and ensure that its viewpoints are reflected in board discussions and decisions. When it comes to controversial policy or curriculum issues, I believe it’s important to do my due diligence by educating myself and the community on the issue at hand.

It’s crucial that we understand why a policy or curriculum must be followed and the potential impact on our students.

I also value the opportunity for two-way communication, and board forums are an excellent way to foster in-depth dialogue on contentious issues.

These forums allow the community to engage, ask questions, and share their perspectives, which can help guide informed decision-making.

If a controversial policy or curriculum is mandated by a state statute, I believe it is our responsibility to work with our state legislators to advocate for change.

This might include seeking to overturn or modify the statute in a way that better aligns with our community’s values and needs. Ultimately, my focus will always be on ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of our students and reflect the values of the community we serve.

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 bring extensive experience in setting policies for both state and local organizations. During my time on the Woodland board, I served on the policy committee for several years, gaining valuable insight into the challenges of shaping educational policies.

Additionally, in my professional career, I crafted policies for public health preparedness planning for Illinois state and local health departments, which provided a strong foundation in policy development and regulatory compliance.

When working to reach consensus on policy issues, my approach is to listen and understand all perspectives. I thoroughly research state and federal laws and best practices in teaching to ensure policies are legally sound and effective.

Once I’ve gathered the necessary information, I advocate for policies that prioritize the needs of our students and staff, ensuring they can learn and work in a safe, supportive environment.

My goal is to create policies that are practical, inclusive, and contribute to a positive, successful educational experience.

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.

Woodland District 50 is one of the most diverse school districts in Lake County, and I am proud of the strong foundation we’ve built. Our special education services are second to none, and we’ve made great strides in highlighting our diversity and promoting the learning of different cultures.

These efforts not only reflect the rich global community but also ensure our students are exposed to a variety of perspectives that prepare them for the future.

I fully support and advocate for the continuation of these programs and learning opportunities. They foster a sense of belonging for students, parents, teachers, and staff, which ultimately empowers students to perform at their best.

The diversity initiatives we have in place provide a strong support system, helping all students feel valued and respected. These efforts are essential to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to thrive, and I believe we should continue enhancing them to ensure we meet the needs of all students.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am a passionate advocate for the success and well-being of our students, and I strongly support our teachers and staff. My commitment to ensuring a strong public education system reflects the values and needs of our community. As a steward of taxpayer dollars, I work to ensure that our resources are allocated efficiently, prioritizing educational programming that supports the whole child.

I have proudly served on the Woodland District 50 board since 1999. During my tenure, our district has navigated significant changes, from explosive growth to a contraction in enrollment and a shift in the demographics of the students we serve.

Throughout this time, we have continually worked to improve the curriculum and implement future-focused programs. We’ve also maintained and upgraded district infrastructure to ensure that our students learn in safe, state-of-the-art facilities.

My experience, dedication, and deep understanding of our community's needs make me the best candidate to continue supporting our district’s growth and success.

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

Having served on the Woodland District 50 board since 1999, I’ve had the privilege of advocating for updates to the curriculum and sharing new program ideas with fellow board members and district leadership.

As a board, we continuously research best practices to enhance our students' educational experiences.

One area I believe we could further explore is expanding personalized learning programs. While we’ve made strides in differentiating instruction, there’s potential to build a more individualized approach, leveraging technology to meet the unique learning needs and strengths of each student.

This could involve more adaptive learning platforms or increasing the integration of project-based learning. By tailoring education to each student’s needs, we can ensure every student achieves their full potential.