Kelli P. May: 2025 candidate for Villa Park-Lombard Elementary District 45 board

Bio

Office sought: Villa Park-Lombard Elementary District 45

City: Villa Park

Age: 42

Occupation: Preschool teacher

Previous offices held: District 45 board member since 2021

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

I am seeking reelection to the District 45 board because I have enjoyed serving and helping all voices in our community be heard. I would love to continue my advocacy for the special needs community, as well as for the many diverse groups of people in our district.

The special needs community holds a big place in my heart and in my life, as my own three young children are part of that group. Helping those who have a harder time advocating for themselves is a big part of why I'm running for reelection.

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

School boards approve curriculum that has been researched by the district administration. The board also collectively sets the standards for how schools perform, and monitors that performance through reports that come from each school's administrative team.

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

I would like to see further discussion and implementation of an advanced academic curriculum, specifically in the area of mathematics. I would especially like to see this at the middle school level, but also in the higher elementary grades as well.

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 believe that there is a place for each of these methods in differing situations. I think that it’s important to give voice to everyone we serve, whether we disagree on a given subject, but also to make decisions and lead the district and community without allowing those voices to cloud decisions that are what's best for the district as a whole. It is also important to keep state policy and law in mind when making decisions that impact those 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.

Over the last four years, as I’ve served on this board, I have been a part of many group discussions that have taken place on various issues. I believe that open discussion, where everyone is able to speak their honest opinion, as well as being willing to hear each other’s perspectives, is key in coming to decisions that impact policy.

This has proven to be effective over the last four years, and I believe that it’s the way to continue coming to positive outcomes overall.

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.

District 45 is a very diverse community that serves many different groups of students, families and staff, and is a community of choice for many. I believe that it is important to initiate and maintain programming that is focused on being welcoming and inclusive.

I believe that continuing to implement these programs is beneficial to our schools and community as a whole. In the big picture, bolstering our inclusion initiatives helps everyone, and starting those initiatives in schools helps even the youngest members of the community in building lasting friendships and to experience culture and opportunities that they otherwise might not be able to experience.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My eagerness to serve and help my community, and my willingness to work hand in hand with others toward the best outcomes for our district and community.

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

I believe that building on the safety initiative within the district and expanding that to include physical and mental health, as well as internet a “virtual” safety is something that needs to be a continuous discussion for our students, families, staff and administration.