Margaret A. DeLaRosa: 2025 candidate for Glenbard High School District 87 board

Bio

Office sought: Glenbard High School District 87 board

City: Glen Ellyn

Age: 63

Occupation: HRIS manager

Previous offices held: Glenbard District 87 board member since 2015

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

I am running for the board for three reasons:

1.) my decision to run again is driven by the encouragement and support I have received from my fellow board members. Their confidence in my abilities and leadership underscores the trust and respect we have built over the years.

2.) we are transitioning to a new superintendent in July. This period of change is crucial for our community, and having someone with experience and knowledge of our past initiatives will be beneficial

3.) we are about to embark on significant building work. As someone who has been involved in the completion of large projects in the past, I understand the complexities and challenges that come with such undertakings.

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

The role of the school board is to hire the superintendent, and set district goals.

The curriculum is under the purview of the superintendent and his designee for Instruction following the standards set by state, and U.S. Department of Education.

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

The Student Performance and Achievement (SPA) committee whose members include teachers, administrators, community and board members are charged with review of the curricular changes and additions.

They meet on a planned regular calendar basis, and review all changes made to curriculum. The committee’s meetings are open to the public and there is opportunity for public comment at the beginning and end of each meeting.

I have been a member of this committee and have had the opportunity to review curriculum re-writes, I have been pleased with the level of detail and professional approach to this process.

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 have been a school board member for nearly 9 years and have been in each these situations I provided leadership during a policy change on equal education opportunity for students.

I have advocated for a change in the school day start time for many years, a change long desired by many families, and I had to defer to state authorities on the return to in-person learning in the fall of 2021.

As a board member, you listen and you maintain focus on student learning, safety and experience. Focusing on students brings clarity to many situations.

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.

My approach to board or other organization work is to come prepared and ready for meaningful discussion. I come to organization work in good faith with the idea that most people are there with a similar focus.

Engaging in discussion and sharing perspectives is what effective groups do as they move to one policy, or an administrative procedure. Glenbard D87 board has a Policy committee that handles matters of policy, and procedure.

The policy committee works through policy changes that come through the IASB (Illinois Association of School Boards PRESS online service). The policy committee sets an annual calendar of meetings, and like other board committees are open to the public with a set time for public comment.

We are not an organization with abrupt changes in policy or approach. Even when we have had proposed changes either by board or administration those proposals went through the same process of introduction, discussion, and finally agenda for further discussion and vote.

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 87's emphasis on diversity and equity has proven to be beneficial for our students. Currently, teachers are required to engage in professional development in this area to enhance their responsiveness and awareness of student needs and experiences.

Our objective is to ensure that every student has at least one trusted adult (and preferably more) within our buildings, enabling them to feel respected, valued, and free to express themselves. A respectful school environment fosters engagement and focus on our collective goals.

I endorse the continuation of programs that facilitate better understanding among educators about their students, as well as among students regarding each other’s experiences.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

What makes me a good candidate for Glenbard District 87 is my focus on students, families and a desire to maintain a competitive public high school in strong communities where young families want to settle and educate their children.

I focus on the task at hand, and if there are disagreements among board or committees, I work to find common ground with sensible solutions for all stakeholders. I am one vote on a seven-member board.

I prioritize my board work, come prepared to discuss agenda and ask questions, and share past experience with board members. I consistently come to the board table student and teacher focused, and in good faith for the community.

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

Few people know that our board committees include student liaisons. These students provide valuable insights into daily experiences and learn about curriculum changes, student recognition, and academic goals. Glenbard students actively contribute to discussions and ask questions, making them integral to our focus. We greatly appreciate their involvement.