Bob Kaplan: 2025 candidate for Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 board

Bio

Office Sought: Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54 board (Vote for 4)

City: Schaumburg

Age: 69

Occupation: Retired teacher, bus driver, coach and administrator

Previous offices held: Secretary and president of the board

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

I am an incumbent running because as a longtime resident and product of District 54. I strongly believe in public schools and their importance in the education process resulting in strong communities. As a very large elementary school district, we welcome over 15,000 students every day to our schools.

Our excellent staff are committed to the 54 Promise of academic success and social-emotional well-being for all of our students. Every child deserves be healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged. Our board is committed to performing in the top 10% of all schools in reading and math growth and proficiency as measured by state and local assessments.

We also continue to strive to close the achievement gap for all students in reading and math as measured by state and local assessments. These board goals motivates all of us to focus on creating opportunities for all students and our community to move forward in pursuit of their dreams.

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

Our school board works well in overseeing the goals and allowing our administration to provide our teachers and all our employees to the measurable standards based curriculum that meets the needs of all our students.

Our classroom teachers are supported by instructional coaches, special education and gifted resource teachers, bilingual teachers and paraprofessionals throughout the district.

We are fortunate to have 100% of our teachers with bachelor’s degrees and 75% have an advanced degree. Our district boasts 92% retention rate and 89% of our staff report that they are highly engaged and highly satisfied with their jobs. We believe in educating the whole child.

Besides the core curriculum we offer music, art and physical education for all students. Also available is time to engage in STEM opportunities as well as clubs like rocketry, drones and coding. With all students having access to iPads or Chromebook. District wide there are 93 different languages spoken by students and families. Our welcoming and assessment center determine any needed language support for our students.

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

We have recently given approvals to brand new curriculum adoptions in literacy and in mathematics. Unlike many districts, we created large task forces of our teaching community in strategic planning that features new instructional materials that are both focused on new state standards in these content areas.

The board will be getting data on how students are progressing with these adoptions and comparing to state and national assessments. Through our professional learning communities all staff will have opportunities to strengthen their toolbox through trainings and discussions with instructional coaches and building administrators.

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?

Our board is made of seven different people. We have different experiences and backgrounds that allows for some great discussions. My role is to try to come to consensus on all issues. I am one of two board members on our district Citizens Advisory Committee. This meets throughout the year to give us public input as well as public comment at board meetings.

New this year is a Key Communicators group made up of two representatives from each building and we learn more about school concerns. I try to listen and gather information for us to learn from all stakeholders we can in the community. Board policy committee meets throughout the year as well as legislative and budget committees.

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'm not presently on policy but all policy is reviewed and brought back to the whole board by the committee. We are able to discuss and amend as needed before voting on any changes. These are all done in open meetings. I believe that most of the board policy has been established over time. We need to continue to review as our community does change and therefore we need to adapt to societal and community changes as well.

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.

I believe as in the previous question about policy. As our community changes as time goes on we need to adapt to the needs of our community. We want to remain a high quality educational district. We are always in search of promoting a culture of belonging in which all students, staff and community members will be treated with dignity. We will ensure high levels of access to resources, experiences and success.

In District 54, we strive to ensure that all students, staff and community members are safe, welcomed and cared for; heard, validated and supported; and represented in curriculum and staffing. We also realize there is a shortage of teaching candidates in general right now in the state of Illinois.

The demographics of 2023 elementary teaching graduates in the state were the following: White 80%; Black/African American 6.2%; Hispanic/Latino 8.4%; Asian 1.9%; 2 or more races 2.6%; and Native Hawaiian 1%.

We have tried to get more reflective of our community population/students but supply is much smaller than demand due to many obstacles of catching up in a very competitive market. I think the goal is to keep our goals but not at the price of lowering standards or qualifications.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I believe that I have done about everything in a school environment. I attended Hoffman School, Lakeview, Keller, Conant High School. Illinois State University BS Elementary Education taught and coached Jane Addams Junior High Math and Studies MA Administration and Supervision Administrator at Muir and Einstein Schools, Hoffman Estates High School coached 4 sports, bus driver. Lived in Schaumburg Township since 1960. Elected twice and appointed twice to D54 board of education

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

One that I can get 3 other board members to agree with me.