Wes Polen: 2025 candidate for Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 board (4-Year Term)

Bio

Office Sought: Libertyville-Vernon Hills High School District 128 board (Vote for 4)

City: Vernon Hills

Age: 45

Occupation: Chief Operating Officer

Previous offices held: Hawthorn District 73 Board of Education, elected 2017, reelected 2021

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

Strong public schools are essential to building strong communities. Our community’s future depends on D128’s ability to provide excellence to all students in a safe environment. All D128 students should receive a high-quality education from top-notch educators, be ready for college or a career after graduation, and be equipped to contribute positively to our society regardless of their abilities or backgrounds. D128 is a strong district that has experienced many successes over the years. I want to continue building on that trajectory of success while improving and enhancing some programs and experiences to ensure the district meets the needs of all students and families.

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

Curriculum planning should be a collaborative process. The actual planning and writing of the curriculum should be entrusted to the experts — the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, principals, and teachers. The school board is responsible for ensuring that the curriculum design complies with all federal and state regulations and mandates, as well as, D128’s mission, vision, and goals. The school board must also remain focused and vigilant in monitoring student achievement and growth throughout the school year to ensure that the current curriculum design meets the needs of all D128 students. Furthermore, the school board should analyze the student assessment data collected throughout the school year and connect it to D128’s vision, direction, and budget priorities.

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

My biggest concern is how artificial intelligence will change the landscape for our students both within the classrooms and beyond high school. I will work to support the experts — the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, principals, and teachers — in helping our students navigate this new frontier while keeping academic integrity at the forefront.

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?

I will defer to state authorities. School board members take an oath that they will faithfully discharge the duties of their office in accordance with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the state of Illinois, and the laws of the state of Illinois.

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 have served on the Hawthorn District 73 BOE Policy Sub-Committee since its creation in 2018. The Policy Sub-Committee was established to help the school board operate more efficiently. As a member, I prepare by reading the policy packet of proposed policies and attending webinars from the Illinois Association of School Boards. During meetings, I listen to the superintendent and administrative team and pose anticipated questions from my fellow board members during open discussions. The experts incorporate that information into their policy presentations to the board, along with how the policies support the district's mission, vision, and goals and impact student achievement. The board must reach a consensus for the policies to advance for a vote at the next school board meeting. This approach to determining policy is effective because it focuses on what is best for the students through collaboration and transparency. The process is conducted in a way that keeps all board members informed about all policies. This is important, as policy adoption is a key responsibility of a school board, and its members must be knowledgeable.

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.

D128 has invested significant resources in its diversity and equity initiatives. The district should continue to explore, adjust, and refine its practices to achieve and sustain equity in education for all students. The district needs to create an inclusive educational environment where every student feels a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to reach their fullest individual potential. To accomplish this, I would like to see D128 strengthen its multitiered system of support (MTSS) framework to establish systems of care that ensure students receive the necessary support academically, behaviorally, socially, and emotionally. MTSS is a framework that enables educators to eliminate barriers to learning at the system level, employ evidence-based practices to ensure that all students learn at grade level, and make data-driven decisions for targeted interventions. A district-wide MTSS framework implemented and executed with fidelity can foster learning in an environment where every student feels safe, valued, and acknowledged. This will lead to the best student outcomes by ensuring that all students have equal access to support, regardless of their school or classroom.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

My board member experience makes me the best candidate for the job. I have the experience D128 needs. I was elected to the Hawthorn District 73 School Board, the second most diverse school district in Lake County, in 2017 and reelected in 2021. I have worked with interim superintendents and participated in successfully hiring and onboarding a new superintendent. I understand board governance and the difference between policy and management decisions. I appreciate and respect the chain of command. I am grateful to be a member of a high-functioning board of education that works as a cohesive team, making decisions in the best interest of all students. There is a steep learning curve to be a school board member. I have the skills and the expertise to make an immediate positive impact. I would love to serve the district and the D128 community during this exciting and challenging time. If elected, I will contribute positively to the D128 Board of Education. I am a pragmatic, open-minded, independent thinker who believes in the value of public education. I promise to always prioritize the educational needs and safety of all D128 students. Serving on the D128 Board would be an honor.

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

D128 requires incoming ninth-grade students to take the PreACT for class placement. Using standardized tests for class placement is widely considered inequitable because they often disproportionately disadvantage students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and minority groups, leading to inaccurate placement and limiting educational opportunities for these students. Additionally, relying on a single test score can perpetuate existing inequalities rather than address them. I would like to see D128 enter into data sharing agreements with feeder districts to share student data. Historical data and teacher input will allow for more accurate and equitable class placements.