Brooke Gennaro: 2025 candidate for Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 board

Bio

Office sought: Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 board (Vote for 4)

City: Wheaton

Age: 43

Occupation: Managing partner

Previous offices held: N/A

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

For over 6 years, I’ve been deeply committed to District 200, from classroom volunteering to serving as vice chair of the Citizens Advisory Council. I also contributed to the inaugural membership selection and rules and bylaws committees. My dedication to academic excellence, modernizing safety protocols, ensuring financial stewardship, and passion for transparency motivates me to pursue a board seat.

The passed referendum exemplifies these priorities. While facility upgrades are necessary, we must recognize that new buildings alone don’t enhance academic performance — despite having the newest building, Hubble Middle School has the lowest test scores.

New facility plans lack essential safety features such as self-locking doors, ballistic glass, and smart sensors. A reduction in discretionary spending can allocate funds to implement these critical measures, increase pay for staff, reduce class size, and provide teachers with necessary resources — all proven to positively impact student outcomes.

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

School board members should influence curriculum development by setting educational policies that guide what is taught in schools. This helps ensure the district is approving frameworks and materials that align with state standards and community values.

District administration and educators should lead decisions about instructional material selections, and parents and community members should take advantage of the public review period that takes place before a new curriculum is formally adopted.

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

Many districts offer multitiered advanced placement, but District 200 prioritizes the highest and lowest performers, leaving grade-level students with fewer tailored options. We should introduce an intermediate level or differentiate grade-level instruction, especially in elementary schools.

Additionally, PACE placement dictates AP science eligibility in middle school, requiring AP math enrollment. Strong math skills don’t guarantee science aptitude, and this policy should be revised.

With the recent referendum securing millions for middle school infrastructure, the community deserves a clear, realistic plan outlining internal improvements. Beautiful buildings alone won’t drive academic success.

Hubble, our newest middle school, has the lowest proficiency rates in math, science, and reading — proving that what happens inside matters more than appearances.

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?

Community engagement is a priority for me, and I value the relationships I’ve built with constituents. It’s essential that all stakeholders feel heard and confident that their concerns are being addressed. Too many parents feel disconnected and powerless under the current administration — it’s time for a change.

I stand for transparency and accountability, ensuring that decisions reflect the community’s values and prioritize the needs of students and residents.

Elected officials play a critical role in shaping educational policies, managing resources, and setting the district’s strategic direction. The right decision isn’t always the easiest, and the best choice isn’t always the most popular — but leadership requires making them.

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 collaborative policy work, I prioritize active listening, open communication, and inclusivity to ensure all perspectives — teachers, parents, students, and residents — are considered, leading to consensus-driven decisions that best serve our school district. I respect differing opinions and believe in finding common ground to develop widely supported solutions.

Professionally, I’ve crafted partnership and operating agreements satisfactory to all parties. Within the school community, my peers elected me as co-chair of the Citizens Advisory Council for multiple terms, and I was appointed to the membership selection and rules & bylaws committees.

In these roles, diverse individuals collaborated effectively, reaching consensus on various issues and presenting unified recommendations to the board for consideration.

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.

A school board plays a crucial role in fostering an inclusive and safe school environment by setting clear policies against racism and bullying, ensuring equitable access to resources, and training school staff to combat bias.

Our schools should have an environment where all students feel valued and safe, regardless of background and identity. I believe part of this question is moot as the Department of Education issued a letter on Feb. 14 to all 50 state education departments, asking them to remove DEI policies within 14 days or risk losing federal funding.

The directive applies to educational institutions from preschool to college as well as state education agencies that receive financial assistance.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am not bound by the status quo if it fails to deliver results. My commitment to improving student learning drives my run for the board, with a focus on enhancing education quality and outcomes. I believe decisions should serve the entire community, not individual interests.

Honest, accessible leadership is my priority. I am dedicated to public service, not personal gain. With a strong background in data analysis, I understand how to assess policy effectiveness beyond just test scores.

When board and district leadership resisted background checks for parent volunteers and a guest management system, I didn’t stay silent. I worked with a group of parents, spoke at meetings, engaged the community, and pushed for common sense safety measures.

Our advocacy led to the implementation of the Verkada Guest Management system, making schools safer. This success exemplifies my ability to challenge resistance and drive meaningful change.

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

District 200 must enhance applicant vetting and hold staff accountable for violations of the Illinois Educator Code of Ethics. Our district has a concerning history of staff misconduct involving minors. We must revise hiring practices to deny employment based on criminal history when there’s a substantial connection to the job, as Illinois law permits.

District leadership, including the board, should consider dismissing employees who engage in immoral conduct, gross insubordination, noncompliance with school laws, or other serious policy violations involving minors.

The code of ethics mandates educators “maintain a professional relationship at all times,” “demonstrate a high level of professional judgment,” “develop and maintain professional relationships with parents, families, and communities,” and “comply with state and federal codes, laws, and regulations.”

By not fully exercising our rights, District 200 disserves students and taxpayers. This call to action transcends individual cases; it’s about establishing clear, constructive, and sensible employment policies to prevent recurring issues.