Sarah J. Godzicki: 2025 candidate for Villa Park-Lombard Elementary District 45 board

Bio

Office sought: Villa Park-Lombard Elementary District 45 (Vote for 4)

City: Lombard

Age: 40

Occupation: IT business manager

Previous offices held: Villa Park Youth Baseball Board of Directors

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

After contemplating the possibility of serving on the District 45 board for several years, I talked it over with my family in 2024, and we agreed that now is the right moment.

My goal is to advocate for my children, their peers, and their families, as well as our remarkable staff and teachers, and the entire community within our district. I want everyone to feel listened to and appreciated.

Additionally, I aim to promote fiscal responsibility and guarantee that our students receive the highest quality education to help them achieve their full potential.

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

The school board’s responsibility in establishing and overseeing the curriculum involves actively listening to our teachers and administration regarding instructional materials and their needs.

They should engage in discussions that align with the district’s vision and goals. It is crucial for the board to participate in these conversations throughout the entire process so they have a clear understanding of requirements and expectations before making decisions on voting and implementing any changes.

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

Issues such as bullying, fighting, vaping, substance abuse, and alcohol consumption affect many schools, including ours.

I believe the district should allocate more resources to educate our students about the physical, emotional, and mental risks associated with these matters.

This education could be incorporated into the existing social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum. It is essential to inform our children about the real dangers linked to their choices, including the risks of addiction and suicide.

While these are tough subjects for anyone to tackle, especially for elementary and middle school students, it is crucial that we address them.

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?

Achieving a balance among all these factors is essential. It’s important to recognize that it’s impossible for 100% of people to be satisfied with any single decision.

As a board member, my responsibility is to prioritize the best interests of our students, teachers, staff, and community. I will always be open to listening to our constituents and providing them with a platform to express their concerns and opinions, regardless of my own viewpoints.

By adhering to state guidance and considering the community’s voice, leadership can make informed decisions that serve the greater good.

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.

In my full-time position, our leadership team conducts annual strategy sessions to establish strategic objectives for the upcoming year.

During these meetings, we analyze what has been successful or not over the previous year or several years and make necessary adjustments. The same approach applies to our policies; we assess which ones have been effective and which require modifications.

I believe it’s crucial to collaborate with everyone to ensure alignment with the district’s vision and goals. I consider myself open-minded and receptive to diverse perspectives on policies, allowing us to work together as a team to find solutions that best serve our 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 advocate for the ongoing diversity and equity initiatives within the district. I firmly believe that all qualified candidates should be given equal consideration for positions, and every student deserves access to a fair educational experience, irrespective of their individual backgrounds.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I believe I am the ideal candidate for District 45 because I have two children enrolled in the district and am actively engaged in both schools.

My involvement in two PTAs allows me to gain insights from school administrators, teachers, and fellow parents about various perspectives on district matters.

Furthermore, my children participate in music, sports, and other activities, enabling me to connect with other parents and learn about their families’ experiences within the district. This helps me identify areas for improvement and potential changes that could enhance our schools.

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

As previously mentioned, I firmly believe that the school district should allocate more resources to educate our students about the physical, emotional, and mental risks associated with bullying, fighting, vaping, drugs, and alcohol. Education is crucial in these matters and should be an essential component of the curriculum.

Families may not always have the tools to offer accurate information to their children, and students might be more receptive to learning in a school setting.