Nicole Majewski: 2025 candidate for Bloomingdale Elementary District 13 board

Bio

Office sought: Bloomingdale Elementary District 13 board (Vote for 3)

City: Bloomingdale

Age: 40

Occupation: No answer given

Previous offices held: Bloomingdale Elementary District 13 board member

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

I’m running for this office because I’m deeply committed to ensuring our children receive the best education in a safe, modern environment. Bloomingdale School District 13 took a significant step in passing the referendum last November, which will provide our students, teachers, and community with the school facilities they deserve. Many classrooms still look the same as when I attended, and now we have the chance to bring our schools into the 21st century.

During the referendum process, I spoke to hundreds of residents and gained valuable insight into their expectations for the district. I am motivated to see the improvement projects through in all three schools, ensuring they comply with the state’s full-day kindergarten mandate and address our aging infrastructure.

I’m dedicated to making Bloomingdale proud by delivering on these critical changes for our students and community.

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

The role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum is to provide oversight and ensure that the curriculum aligns with the district’s educational goals and standards.

While the day-to-day development and implementation of the curriculum is the responsibility of teachers and administrators, the school board plays a critical role in setting broad educational objectives and approving the framework within which these goals are achieved.

With a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, I am able to share my knowledge with my colleagues to make data-driven decisions, ensuring that students are achieving the desired outcomes and that any necessary adjustments are made to support continued success.

Ultimately, the board’s role is to provide guidance, oversight, and accountability, making sure the curriculum remains aligned with the district’s mission while fostering an environment that promotes student growth and achievement.

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

One area that requires particular attention from the board is the ongoing evaluation and support of our curriculum. Our district adopted a new English Language Arts curriculum two years ago, and it is crucial that we continue to monitor its success to ensure it meets the needs of all students.

Consistent leadership and oversight are essential to assess its effectiveness, identify areas for improvement, and ensure it remains aligned with our educational goals.

In the coming school year, we will be adopting a new mathematics curriculum. It is important for the board to stay actively involved, as the successful implementation of new curricula requires ongoing support, professional development for teachers, and careful evaluation.

Given my background in curriculum and instruction, I am confident in my ability to contribute to these efforts and ensure that both the English Language Arts and mathematics curricula are effectively evaluated and refined to maximize student 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?

In confronting policy or curriculum controversies, I believe my role as a school board member is to provide thoughtful leadership, even when decisions are unpopular.

The board functions as a unified body, and while differing opinions are inevitable, they play a critical role in ensuring we approach issues from all angles. Sharing differing viewpoints helps create a well-rounded board and, in turn, well-rounded solutions for our policies.

When issues arise, it’s essential to give a voice to all constituents, even those with whom I may not always agree. Through open dialogue, we can ensure all perspectives are considered before making a decision. Once the decision is made, regardless of individual votes, we must stand together and represent the board as a whole. True leadership means supporting the collective decision, even if it wasn’t my preferred outcome. Our role is to model respect for the democratic process and focus on what’s best for students and the district.

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.

As a school board member, I approach the process of determining policy with a collaborative mindset, recognizing that effective decision-making thrives in a team environment.

My primary goal is to clarify the district’s mission, reflect on its current performance, and ensure we maintain a healthy financial balance. In group settings, I emphasize the importance of open communication, for team members to contribute their expertise. I believe in creating a space for diverse ideas and moving forward with a unified plan of action.

I understand the importance of confidentiality and professionalism in this setting. I strive to represent the school board with the utmost respect and integrity in the community.

My approach to working in a group setting, fostering collaboration, and focusing on data-driven decisions will contribute to producing effective actions and policies that drive continuous improvement in our school district.

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.

I strongly support the district's efforts to promote diversity and equity, as these initiatives are vital to creating a positive, inclusive environment for all students. One of our district’s guiding principles is that diversity, equity, and inclusion are central to the educational experience. This commitment is reflected in our strategic goal to provide a well-rounded learning experience that includes academic achievement, social-emotional learning, character education, the arts, and extracurricular activities.

I’m especially proud of programs like the Better Together Club, which brings together general and special education students to build friendships and foster an inclusive environment. These programs cultivate empathy, understanding, and belonging, ensuring all students feel valued.

Equity and inclusion are not just about addressing immediate needs — they lay the foundation for long-term success and social responsibility, as they prepare students to thrive in a diverse world.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Serving on the District 13 board means something more to me than others. Not only is it the district where my children are growing up, but it’s also the same hallways I grew up in. With ongoing changes and renovations, we need a steady leader who can guide our community forward and ensure we continue providing the best education possible.

As a former teacher, I bring a unique perspective to the board, ensuring we provide the right resources to thrive. I understand how every decision impacts our children, allowing me to present a comprehensive view.

I’m deeply involved in the district beyond being a board member. I am a mom who participates in the PTO, volunteers for events, and can see how the decisions the board makes translates to our kids. As a parent on the board, I’m committed to ensuring our kids’ success.

I will be a steady leader for our community, committed to improving our local education system.

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

One idea I believe would benefit our district, is the expansion of student programs focused on giving back to the community. Along with my fellow board members, I envision creating more opportunities for students to actively engage in community service.

It’s crucial to instill the value of giving back in our students, and through these programs, they can develop a strong sense of responsibility and empathy.

Currently, we have a Character Counts program that recognizes student success in the community, and we encourage students to present at our monthly board meetings about their accomplishments.

This gives students a voice and teaches them about public service. I plan to build on these efforts by fostering more connections between students and local community leaders.

This approach not only supports student development but also strengthens the sense of civic engagement and service, creating long-lasting positive impacts for both our students and the community at large.