Christine Birkett: 2025 candidate for Community Unit District 300 board

Bio

Office Sought: Community Unit District 300 board (Dundee Township)

City: West Dundee

Age: 51

Occupation: Director of creative services

Previous offices held: District 300 board since 2021

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

I am seeking reelection to the board of education because I want to continue to be a passionate advocate for public education and the needs of our community. As a lifelong resident, graduate, parent, and current board member, I care deeply about the District 300 community.

A single-issue is not driving my candidacy. I’m interest in setting a wide range of goals and implementing strategies, initiatives, and policies that will ensure the success of all students. The district’s strategic plan identifies our strengths, as well as pathways for improvement. The master facilities plan will serve a guide in implementing the district’s future infrastructure projects.

My participation in the development of these plans has provided me a deeper understanding of the district goals and the needs of our community. I’d like the opportunity to see these plans progress over the next few years and continue advocating for the responsible use of district resources, ensuring staff are equipped to perform to their highest ability, increasing student voice, improving student outcomes, and addressing community priorities.

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

The school board’s specific role is to set curriculum policy and to allocate the funds to purchase the recommended materials through a board vote. Curricula is chosen by the district administration after being evaluated a review panel made up of educators.

They must ensure that the curriculum meets the needs of our educators and students, aligns with district’s educational goals, is rigorous, research-based, vertically aligned, and meets state standards and statues.

Prior to adoption the recommended curriculum materials are available for the community to review for 30 days. Once approved, the curriculum is reviewed through a continuous improvement model. Academic performance reports are provided to the board throughout the year.

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

Currently, I’m not aware of any specific curriculum issues that require the board’s attention.

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 board member I must engage with the community to understand differing perspectives on controversial issues. Board members are entrusted to make decisions that are in best interest of students, families, and the district and that comply with any state guidelines. I’m prepared to make decisions that might be unpopular with some but promise to be transparent in my reasons.

For example, there is a major debate about cellphone use in schools. Absent a statewide policy, I believe the board should provide leadership locally by setting a cellphone policy. District 300 conducted a survey to help better understand the views of educators, students, and parents on this issue.

The survey results in combination with the administration’s recommendation will be critical in deciding what direction to take with the policy. It’s essential that I put my own opinion aside and consider other’s perspectives to make an informed decision that balances the concerns raised by our educators, student, and parents.

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.

Much of our school policy is set by other governing bodies. When the board is charged with developing district-specific policy, my approach is to be well-informed, collaborative, open-minded, and willing to compromise to reach a group consensus.

We must seek input from educators, students, and parents when creating or revising policy to ensure that the suggested policy achieves it aims. The board also needs to collaborate with the superintendent who is ultimately responsible for the implementation of the policy and our chief legal counsel to ensure legal compliance.

Effective policy connects the district’s vision and goals and provides a framework for internal operations.

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’m proud of the district diversity and equity efforts to date. District 300 serves a very large and diverse community, made up of people of varying backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and abilities. I would be remiss if I didn’t factor that into my decision-making process as a board member.

I will continue to support and advocate for initiatives that support the diverse needs of our students and cultivate a sense of belonging in our schools. When students feel safe, accepted, and valued they thrive emotionally and academically.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

While serving on the board, I have learned a great deal about what is involved in operating a district as large and as diverse as ours. I’ve made it a priority to attend as many community engagement meetings as I can, because the conversations at those meetings give me valuable insight to the experiences of the families in our district.

I’m a deeply invested board member who has taken every opportunity to grow in my role on the board, currently serving as the board secretary, operations committee chair, and boundary committee member.

My prior experience as a board member and knowledge in the areas of curriculum, governance, school finance, policy, and safety will be beneficial in advocating for the needs of our community, making informed and strategic decisions, and providing stability from the board as we work through any challenges that lie ahead.

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

I’d like to explore having student representatives on the board to bring student voice to the district’s governance process. The decisions we make as board members directly impact our students.

The board would benefit from hearing students’ point of view, their concerns, ideas for improving their learning environment, and how we can best support their aspirations through district programs.

Engaging students in leadership activities is essential for building a positive school climate. It also provides students the opportunity to serve as a liaison with their peers and teaches them how to advocate for change in the district.