Peter Etienne: 2025 candidate for Lake Zurich Unit District 95 board

Bio

Office Sought: Lake Zurich Unit District 95 board (Vote for 4)

City: Lake Zurich

Age: 63

Occupation: Attorney

Previous offices held: Lake Zurich District 95 school board since 2020; and past member, Board of Regents (Private University)

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

I believe my professional experience as an attorney, my experience as a member of the District 95 board since June 2020, over a decade's experience on a university board, my short experience as a public-school teacher, my unique cultural background and my life as a 30-year Lake Zurich resident, have positioned me well to contribute to the board in a positive and unique way. I hope to continue to be a strong voice for all stakeholders, including our teachers, if I were fortunate to be reelected.

I would focus on: 1.) strong financial stewardship; 2.) academic excellence, with an emphasis on math; and 3.) helping students meet the District 95 “Portrait of a Graduate” traits, including to be prepared as global citizens in a changing world. This includes an appreciation for environmental sustainability and being served by staff that will prepare students to enter diverse workplaces and communities.

As a member of the Teaching and Learning Committee and its Sustainability Committee, I am proud that our progress has been recognized nationally in 2024 with two Blue Ribbons (2 of 16 in Illinois) and a Green Ribbon for Environmental Sustainability (1 of 10 districts in the U.S.).

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

I believe that the school board can be the high-level voice of the community in commenting on curriculum choices. The school board is ideally not best suited to get into the details of what physics tests should be given, for example.

But the board should monitor and provide guidance to the administration to make sure that the curriculum represents the best and most current scholarship and tools that the district can afford. The board can also ensure that the process for setting the curriculum considers the voices of all stakeholders: teachers, other staff, students, parents, administration, job providers, other taxpayers, and board members.

Finally, if the school is not achieving the academic goals set by the board, then the board should question whether the curriculum plays a role in that outcome.

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

I have been particularly focused on math in the district, particularly in middle school and high school. Our English Language Arts results are exceptional. Our math scores, even if improving significantly, can be better.

Many parents continue to pay for math tutors from middle school and through high school. This presents equity issues since those with less financial means are unable to hire tutors. I think we should provide additional support to targeted students and to teachers where necessary, so that we are able to raise academic achievement in math for all students.

I also believe we should not be a follower in technology, including artificial intelligence, but rather be leaders. We know our students are using AI tools. Fortunately, District 95 is trying to prioritize the beneficial use of AI while providing students guardrails to use the tools ethically and with proper attribution which will provide a foundation for beneficial use of these tools for years to come.

But, of course, there is more work to be done, and we should continue to prioritize our efforts in that area.

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 see my role on the board in confronting policy or curriculum controversies by working to incorporate a bit of all three items noted in the question.

First, as an attorney and as a model to my own children, I stress that following the law is generally not optional. So, if the state requires something, we comply. If we disagree, then we comply but seek change through elections or petitions for variances.

Second, where a pure requirement is not at issue, then I try to be a voice to all stakeholders, including those that are of less means. This can come up in many ways.

For example, being able to provide summer school so that students are not disadvantaged because they cannot afford to attend. Or focusing on environmental sustainability even if some believe it is not an urgent issue of concern.

Third, I am aware that some constituents may not see the world the way I do. I truly believe that I should represent all of our constituents. So, I often seek ways to have the voice of key stakeholders heard while finding compromises that respectfully consider the views of those that do not agree with me.

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.

I believe my answer to the question above provides some framework for answering this question also. I first try to understand what the aim of the policy is.

Generally, my experience in my professional work setting, or as a member of a university board, or as a member of the school board, suggest that most people do have noble intent and so I assume noble intent. By that I mean they want what they perceive to be the best for the students. We do, however, bring our cultural experiences and our professional training to an issue.

So, I try to understand the purpose of the policy and I try to find a way that addresses the aim of the policy while incorporating diverse viewpoints. I genuinely believe that when different team members bring their unique insights to an issue, such varied inputs will yield a better result.

Finally, I am aware that I am one member. Sometimes my view may not be the majority and so I learn to accept that and hope they see the light next time.

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.

My answer to that question is more fraught now than it was six months ago. I think our district can do better. I believe that as a community, a district, a state and a country, our demographics are changing. We are well served by serving our students well. I think we should prepare our students to face the world they will be living in for the next 50 years.

So, I think as we seek to find excellent staff, we should cast a wide net because excellence can be found in a wide variety of places.

My hope for our students, including my own children, is that they have opportunities to learn from teachers with diverse backgrounds and that their knowledge and skills will be enhanced, and they will be able to empathize and be equipped to serve, and thrive, in the very diverse work environments that they will be entering when they embark on their working lives and for decades afterward.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

This is a unique time for our school district and I believe that my professional experience as an attorney; my experience on the boards of educational institutions including District 95 and a university board; my experience as a public schoolteacher for a short while; my 30-plus years as a Lake Zurich resident, and my support for ensuring that the voices of all stakeholders are heard at the school board, make me a compelling candidate for reelection to the school board.

My parents’ education did not go further than fifth grade and I was the only one of my mother’s nine children to attain a four-year college degree. I know what it feels like to be underprivileged, and I strongly believe that my unique cultural and professional experience would continue to be a needed voice on the school board.

I think my contributions on the school board since 2020 has been beneficial. I would continue to champion financial stewardship, environmental sustainability, academic excellence, including a focus on math, support for our teachers, and support for an appropriate workforce. I believe that my voice is not only unique but is a needed voice on the District 95 school board.

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

Well, I am not certain that no one is talking about it, but I would like us to evaluate investing more intently in multimedia tools and consider even a high school TV station. That would help us better train students interested in these areas and to produce useful content for the school and district community, including sport broadcasts.

Students can thus learn skills in that area that can be beneficial for years to come. There are other school districts nearby with similar tools and programs and we can learn from them as we implement ours at Lake Zurich District 95.