Katherine ‘Katy’ Swiecicki: 2025 candidate for Batavia Unit District 101 board

Bio

Office Sought: Batavia Unit District 101 board (Vote for 4)

City: Batavia

Age: 41

Occupation: Full-time parent and community volunteer

Previous offices held: Batavia Plan Commission & Zoning Board of Appeals

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

Bullying is the issue that got me attending all the school board meetings as an observer and occasional speaker. It also inspired my community volunteer work and desire to run for office.

Students in Batavia speak out about bullying in schools a lot. For as much as they report, the district hasn’t seemed to be able to get a handle on what the current bullying issues even are, let alone how to resolve them. I have asked questions, requested data, and offered support to the district in addressing student safety and bullying.

The district has largely been unresponsive, or has been unable to provide me with basic information on its policy, procedures and education on student safety. I seek office to be able to address the pleas of the students, parents and teachers for educated support and guidance in ensuring all students are safe in Batavia schools.

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

The school board is responsible to seek expert and comprehensive knowledge on up to date curriculum that supports learning for all. They must also invite and center the perspectives and knowledge of the teachers tasked with educating our students, honing specific curriculum to satisfy our unique community’s interests, well-being and needs. Synthesizing world class expertise and community voices should be the goal of any governing body.

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

The procedures for selecting and approving curriculum need clarification and transparency, and those held responsible by district policy for carrying out this monumental task need to be held accountable for providing Batavia with what it deserves: an educational system that exceeds minimum requirements and caters to the unique needs of all Batavians to ensure their success.

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?

My role will be to listen to and learn from all Batavians, and to ensure their perspectives feel welcome, believed and honored. I know it is possible to create and sustain an educational environment where all vantage points are considered and the most widely comprehensive and beneficial curriculum is achieved, within the guideposts of law and policy.

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.

In my professional life, I managed a high-rise condominium community in downtown Chicago for 10 years. While I had no voting stake, I was responsible for collecting and communicating data and analysis to the board of directors, regarding everything from budgeting to staffing to maintenance, to help them make the best choices for their community at large.

I am all about a multidimensional approach in community matters: accurate data collection and assessment, education on areas of concern, and action rooted in truth, innovative thinking and proven strategies.

What is your assessment of the school district's diversity and equity efforts? Do you support the continuation or enhancement of such programs, of would you rather see them diminished. Please explain your reasoning.

The district wants to be one of inclusivity (regarding ability, race, religion and identity) and I think it perceives pushback not as opportunities for learning but as threats to its image. The efforts to include students of differing abilities and backgrounds is usually addressed with a surface approach rather than a deep dive into learning about all the factors that make us who we are.

I support the district looking within our community to center the lived experiences of all. An educational institution should be one that never stops learning, and that leads with learning as its most effective tool in providing the best educational outcomes. While they’ve become divisive buzzwords, none of those terms on its own is anything from which a school district should shy away.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am a proud product of Fox Valley public education and proud that I can provide that to my own children. I interface with my children and their peers at the elementary level, and with the at-risk middle and high school youth with whom I volunteer, on a daily basis.

I hear and see great successes and achievements in this district, and I hear and see areas where we must do better. From my seat at the table, should I be elected, I will welcome and advocate for all voices to be heard in Batavia, and to ensure that all students receive the same education and have a feeling of safety and belonging within all our schools. I am accomplished, curious, a lifelong learner (thanks, Fox Valley public education!), a passionate community supporter, and ready to listen.

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

I would love for the district to partner with experts in the legal and policy challenges surrounding bullying that seem to have this district’s hands tied. Many such experts exist and have expressed interest in working with Batavia to provide proven strategies for restorative practices for all students and staff on all sides of a given conflict.

I believe in Batavia to achieve the highest standards of education in the classrooms and beyond. Investing in education for adults and youth yields the highest return on investment for all.