Nina Austin: 2025 candidate for Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 board (2-year term)

Bio

Office sought: Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 board (2-year term)

City: Libertyville

Age: 64

Occupation: Retired

Previous offices held: None

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

I am running for the District 128 board because I firmly believe that a quality education is a right for every student. Our schools should provide an environment where all students have the opportunity to learn, grow, and succeed. I am committed to ensuring that every decision made prioritizes student achievement, supports our educators, and upholds the high standards of our district while maintaining fiscal responsibility.

By serving on the school board, I will bring an open-minded and thoughtful approach to addressing the challenges and opportunities facing our schools, always keeping students at the heart of every discussion.

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

The school board plays a crucial role in setting and monitoring the curriculum by ensuring it aligns with state standards, district goals, and community values. The board’s primary responsibility is hiring and of on-boarding a new superintendent.

This I think that will be this board's most important job initially and supporting this person to ensure their success — which will bring success to the district — will be critical.

While the development of curriculum is primarily the responsibility of educators and administrators, the board provides oversight by reviewing and approving curriculum recommendations, ensuring they support academic excellence and student success.

Additionally, the board monitors the effectiveness of the curriculum through performance data, community feedback, and educator input, making adjustments as needed to maintain high-quality education for all students.

My focus would be on fostering a curriculum that is rigorous, inclusive, and prepares students for future opportunities while respecting fiscal responsibility.

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

Like many districts nationwide, District 128 has seen learning disruptions that have impacted academic achievement since COVID-19.

The board should focus on:

• Targeted Academic Support

Expanding tutoring programs, intervention strategies, and personalized learning plans

• Data-Driven Instruction

Using assessment data to identify learning gaps and adjust teaching methods accordingly, ensuring that educators have the tools they need to support every student

• Enhanced Professional Development

Providing teachers with ongoing training and innovative teaching methods to better engage students and accelerate learning

• Balanced Workload and Expectations

Addressing student stress by ensuring that academic rigor is balanced with well-being initiatives, helping students regain confidence in their learning

• Community and Parental Engagement

Strengthening partnerships with families to support learning at home, as student success is closely tied to engagement beyond the classroom

By taking a strategic, student-centered approach, we can ensure District 128 recovers from pandemic setbacks and continues to thrive as one of the top-performing districts in the state.

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 school board member, my role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies would be to provide strategic leadership while ensuring that all voices in the community are heard — even those with whom I may personally disagree.

I believe in advancing open and respectful dialogue, considering diverse perspectives, and making informed decisions that prioritize students’ best interests.

While state guidelines and educational standards provide a framework, local decisions should reflect the needs and values of our community while maintaining a commitment to academic excellence and inclusivity.

Leadership sometimes requires making difficult or even unpopular decisions, but I would always approach these challenges with integrity, transparency, and a focus on what best serves our students’ education and future.

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.

Throughout my career I have worked in group settings where collaboration, strategic planning, and decision-making were essential to determining policy and guiding organizations forward. Each of which has shaped my ability to work effectively in a school board setting.

I have collaborated on training programs designed to enhance skills. Similarly, my work in developing operational outcomes has required me to analyze data, set clear goals and budgets, and measure progress.

Additionally, I have experience in motivating teams — bringing people together around a shared vision. These skills are directly applicable to overseeing district policies, evaluating curriculum effectiveness, and ensuring that our schools remain accountable to students, families, and the community.

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 believe that diversity and equity is essential in ensuring every student reaches their highest potential. In speaking with many community members and teachers, I have heard concerns that previous DEI programs were implemented too quickly, without sufficient time for thoughtful integration into the existing curriculum.

Schools implement DEI through curriculum choices, hiring diverse faculty, equitable disciplinary policies, culturally responsive teaching, and student support programs to reduce disparities and foster a more inclusive learning environment.

When implemented effectively, DEI initiatives benefit not only our students but also our entire community. A strong diversity, equity, and inclusion framework enhances critical thinking, collaboration, and cultural understanding — skills that are essential in today’s world.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am the best candidate for the District 128 board because I am committed to ensuring every student receives a high-quality education while maintaining fiscal responsibility. My experience in collaboration, problem-solving, and leadership equips me to work effectively with diverse perspectives and make informed decisions that benefit students, teachers, and the community.

With a deep investment in our community and a passion for education, I am ready to bring experience, dedication, and a collaborative mindset to the school board.

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

An idea that isn’t being widely discussed is implementing a “Real-World Readiness” program that integrates practical life skills into the curriculum.

While District 128 provides excellent academic preparation, many students graduate without essential skills for adulthood. This program would include:

• Financial Literacy — Budgeting, taxes, credit management, student loans, and retirement planning.

• Career and Professional Skills — Resume writing, interview prep, networking, and workplace communication.

• Civic Engagement and Life Responsibilities — Understanding voting, health care, renting/buying a home, and basic legal rights.

• Mental Health and Stress Management — Practical strategies for balancing work, school, and personal life.

The program could be integrated through workshops, elective courses, or partnerships with local businesses and professionals. This would ensure that all students leave District 128 not just academically strong, but also prepared for real-world success.