Lake Zurich District 95 school board candidates discuss threats to federal DEI support
The potential for the federal government to follow through on threats to diversity, equity and inclusion programs as well as their funding is a topic all seven candidates for the Lake Zurich Unit District 95 board of education feel passionate about.
Vying for the four available seats in the April 1 election are incumbents Peter Etienne, Eileen Maloney and Lisa Warren, along with newcomers Frederic Hutchinson, Sally Kutsor, Dana Lee Miroballi and Alicia Timm.
During a joint interview with the Daily Herald, Kutsor spoke of the needs of the growing number of English learners in the district and the value of such programs as Joanie’s Closet in improving the educational experience of students who lack necessary resources.
“I think we need to remain student-centered, with our students driving everything that we do,” she said. “And that means all students. So all decisions need to be based on our mission, which is to empower all students to achieve educational excellence.”
Etienne said the district counts cultural competence and equity among its values and must continue to serve every learner.
“We have to prepare our students to work and thrive in an increasingly diverse country and district,” he said. “I think personally that my experience will help the district navigate this environment that we’re in, in case the federal government takes the steps that we’ve heard about.”
Fellow incumbent Maloney said federal changes shouldn’t affect the philosophy of the district.
“Our mission is to empower every learner to achieve personal excellence, with the emphasis on every learner,” she said. “That’s not going away. The federal government doesn’t have any impact on that. That comes from the soul of our being.”
Warren spoke to diversity as well, noting more than 30 different household languages are spoken districtwide, which helped guide strategic plans.
“Those were all created with a diverse group of community members,” she said. “Having student voices has been very key in all of these processes. And we have a diverse community here in Lake Zurich.”
Miroballi said a community’s model regarding respect for all cultures should be a guide for students.
“I so truly believe that all people should be truly seen, truly heard and truly served,” she said. “It is a mission that I live day to day, and I see how important it is for our school district to do that and that it has done that. And I don’t think there’s any reason to ever change that.”
Timm, a current trustee on the Ela Area Public Library board, said she doesn’t believe in following the federal government’s new suggestion that DEI is a dirty word.
“So this is just really very important to me that people are seen, not tossed aside, that we take these types of threats seriously,” she added. “That we realize that equity is the mission of public education. Our public schools are at risk.”
Hutchinson questioned how anyone could be opposed to diversity, equity or inclusion, noting the district’s own diversity figures.
“When it comes to diversity, equity and inclusion, there is no middle ground,” he said. “We’re either for it or we’re against it. Our district is for it. And so this is a time that we need to do what is right rather than what is politically expedient.”
A public candidates forum, sponsored by the PTO, will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 11 in the performing arts center of Lake Zurich High School, 300 Church St., with the opportunity to view it both in person or online.