Anthony Wang: 2025 candidate for Palatine Township District 15 board

Bio

Office sought: Palatine Township District 15 board (Vote for 4)

City: Palatine

Age: 39

Occupation: Head of school

Previous offices held: District 15 board member since 2017

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

I am a father that has two children attending Lake Louise Elementary School. While the eight years on the board has felt productive and successful, I believe there is more work to be done. I want to see District 15 become a destination district in our state for families and staff alike. My intent is to run one more term and if I'm fortunate enough to be reelected, serve out until my children are no longer in District 15.

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

The school board provides feedback but does not set any curriculum. The board oversees the superintendent, which our Department of Teaching, Learning and Assessment report into. This department ensures that the Illinois Standards are maintained and benchmarked against.

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

We’ve made a lot of recent investments in updating our curriculum since my time on the board. As of now, I’d defer to our staff who is currently evaluating some of the new curriculum we’ve put in place. Their feedback could provide the groundwork of where the board needs to give extra attention.

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?

My job is to listen to all sides with an open mind since I am representing the entire District 15 district. From there, I use my voice as a platform and the board votes on matters. At times, we must make decisions that aren’t always popular. However, I’d rather my voice be used to represent the district and what’s in the best interest of the school district, then to cave to a hot-button issue.

If the Bears succeed in developing a new stadium in Chicago instead of Arlington Heights, what type of development would you want to see on the Arlington Park property? How would you see that benefiting the community?

I believe the Arlington Park property could be used for green space and housing. I think it has immense potential to be a premier park for surrounding neighborhoods. I also think housing should be prioritized, given the location near Route 53 and the Metra. The additional housing could increase the supply in the market and lower prices in an already crowded housing market.

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.

Outside of a few projects related to my work, most of my experience in group policy setting comes from my time on the board. Shortly after being elected, myself along with the rest of the board, put together the groundwork for Moving 15 Forward.

This community engagement helped me navigate the difficulties in putting together a referendum that had a chance to win at the ballot box. Sitting on the finance committee has given me a unique perspective working as a group and with various experts in which the districts long-term financial health comes into play.

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.

Our district houses more than 70 native languages. This speaks to the importance of diversity within our district. I think our administration has done a good job of recruiting educators who look and speak like students within our population. District 15 also recruits staff from Spanish-speaking countries who are a huge talent asset to our district. Although I don’t feel our work is finished until every student at District 15 has a role model that they can relate to on a cultural and personal level.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I have served as secretary of the District 15 board of education for six out of the eight years I've spent on the board. I have served on the finance committee eight out of those eight years as well. While also being the father of two Lake Louise Elementary children, I think I have a unique perspective of the ground level needs of our schools. I am someone who gets into the weeds with policy and has an excellent understanding of finance.

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

I won't classify this as an idea necessarily, but I believe there is a better way of handling absenteeism at the school level. Without creating a sense of shame in a child, I believe there are ways of partnering with each family and getting a better understanding of planning for the future, assuming a few days make be taken off throughout the year.