Samiyah Siddiqui Forler: 2025 candidate for Butler Elementary District 53 board

Bio

Office sought: Butler Elementary District 53 (Vote for 4)

City: Oak Brook

Age: 39

Occupation: Controller

Previous offices held: N/A

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

I’m running for the school board because our children deserve the best education possible — and that requires a school board that listens, collaborates, and acts. I believe, if you do the math on working with the community and you come out with a negative, even when there may be loud voices of dissent, you did the math wrong!

Community involvement in our schools is essential to the success of our district. Additionally, I am a controller for a real estate development firm and have passed the CPA exam. With my background in accounting and statistics, I will ensure we make sound financial decisions. I have experience prioritizing needs and staying on budget.

Last year, the district spent nearly $1 million over budgeted expenses. Currently the board does not have any members that have an accounting background, and I strongly believe my accounting experience will be an asset to the board and our community. I will push for more transparent, real-time financial reporting so we can make smarter decisions before we overspend — keeping our focus where it belongs: on students.

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 achieve the district goals while meeting community expectations and positive student outcomes.

The school board should have a thorough understanding of the instructional framework being taught and materials needed to help every child succeed.

Additionally, the board should encourage development opportunities for educators to learn and adapt to the most current evidence-based learning techniques. This will enable the teachers and our students to thrive in our ever-changing world.

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

There is a much-needed curriculum realignment that the teachers and administrators have been overseeing. Our students perform very well in math and science. I want to keep our strength in math and science while expanding our focus into literacy.

Reading and how it is being taught is also changing. I think we should focus on incorporating the new research into literacy. I also strongly believe that writing, art, and music are great creative outlets for developing minds. We should look for opportunities to push those subjects into the curriculum when we can.

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?

First, if a policy or some aspect of the curriculum conflicts with the law, we should follow the law, especially if our funding is tied to adhering to the law. If the policy or curriculum issue is not a legal matter, then the constituents have the right to weigh in. I do not believe the job of a school board member is to only discuss controversies with people we agree with or know.

The job is to represent all constituents. I also believe that the teachers and administrators should be a part of the conversation. We should all work together to get a 360 view and make a decision that will benefit the students, popular or unpopular.

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.

The most important aspect when working in a group is treating all parties with respect and keeping an open mind. Every person on the board is an elected official. Every person brings a different background and experience to the table. We should not all see every issue the same way.

The differing views will make the board decisions more effective and help us stay in line with the community. The job and expectation of a school board member is not to just approve and oversee the curriculum but, also, to work with the other board members. That aspect is of vital importance. I am an executive board member of the Women of Oak Brook.

We have various backgrounds, ages, and races on our board and we work fluently. We do not all agree on everything, but all voices are heard, and we move forward with a consensus, knowing that everyone is working toward the same goal. If you create an environment where all voices are not equally heard and respect is not strictly adhered to, the trust will be broken among the board and the community. The board cannot be effective without trust.

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.

One of the best things about our district is that we are so diverse. I feel so blessed that my kids will grow up in such a diverse community. I support the continuation of such efforts if done in an inclusive way. I think if we look for ways to discuss diversity and equity, and it makes the fabric of our community stronger, we should pursue it.

Not only are our students from uniquely diverse backgrounds, but we are also diverse in our academic skills. Our district does a fantastic job of differentiating students by academic level, which helps our district excel in math and science. Similarly, I would like to foster a value system around other subjects to push the equity aspect of learning for all students.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am actively involved in the community and the district. My experience serving on the Women of Oak Brook executive board underscores my commitment to community and my active role in the PTO highlights my passion for collaborating with the school.

I have co-chaired the mother-daughter dance the last two years and I am involved with the book fair, the Nutrition Fair, Olympic Day, Exploremore Day, the bus committee, wellness committee, playground committee, and various other activities at the school.

Additionally, my strong background in statistics and accounting will bring a much-needed skill set to the board, which the board is currently lacking. I understand how to model survey data to provide clear actionable insights. I am well versed in budgets and understand the importance of being financially conservative.

I have a great relationship with a lot of members in our community and I meet new people every day. This allows me to understand our priorities and accurately reflect them in our budget.

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

My good idea for the board is I will push for real-time financial tracking so the board can proactively adjust spending before we go over budget. If we are trending to go over budget in a certain category, we should all see it before it happens and communicate it effectively with the stakeholders.

My good idea for the students is to look for ways to develop a value system around all aspects of learning. I worked with the school and the PTO this school year to bring in a five-piece string orchestra to play live music for the students during an assembly. Exposure to new experiences is so important for developing minds.

It was the first time that most students had heard an orchestra play. I also wanted to encourage and lift students who are passionate about art and writing. I have been collaborating with a teacher to pilot a literary magazine at our elementary school to highlight art and written pieces created by the students. I would love to make the live orchestra and the literary magazine a permanent tradition.