Keri Rasmussen: 2025 candidate for Woodland Elementary District 50 board

Bio

Office sought: Woodland Elementary District 50 board (Vote for 4)

City: Gurnee

Age: 49

Occupation: Associate director of product quality assurance

Previous offices held: None

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

As a parent of two children enrolled in Woodland schools, I have a significant stake in the district's success. My children have enjoyed their time in Woodland so far and have appreciated all their teachers. I view board membership as an opportunity to give back to the school district and community and contribute to the district's ongoing success.

I believe that the board, administration, staff, and parents must collaborate respectfully and transparently, prioritizing our children's needs.

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

The board should formulate clear policies regarding curriculum requirements, review processes, and instructional materials selection. They should uphold transparency and clearly communicate curriculum decisions to the community while providing opportunities for feedback.

While the board has ultimate responsibility for the curriculum, it should draw upon the expertise of educators to develop specific curriculum details and instructional materials. Additionally, the board should seek input from parents and the wider community when developing or reviewing the curriculum.

To gauge effectiveness, the board should leverage student achievement data and feedback from teachers and other stakeholders to inform curriculum adjustments and advancements.

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

To improve student outcomes, it is crucial to continue exploring methods for addressing mathematics and English language arts proficiency. The board should continue to consider ways to increase proficiency within these areas by ensuring that we have implemented robust processes for the early identification of struggling students, which is vital to provide timely intervention and prevent future difficulties.

The district should also explore if there are opportunities to improve the intervention programs to ensure their effectiveness. Furthermore, our curriculum should be reviewed to enhance as much as possible with interactive engagement tools, online learning platforms, and adaptive software for students of all grade levels to promote more comprehensive learning.

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 firmly believe that decisions regarding our schools should be made at the local level whenever feasible. Naturally, we must adhere to state guidelines and laws, but decisions should prioritize the best interests of our children and community.

As a leader, I recognize the importance of considering diverse perspectives and facilitating informed decision-making, even when the outcome may not align with one’s personal views or prove unpopular with certain constituents.

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.

Over the past 20 years, I have occupied various leadership roles, collaborating across functions to establish and execute strategies that align with the organization’s goals. I firmly believe in the importance of using data to drive discussions and acknowledging the value of diverse perspectives on critical issues.

Moreover, engaging all stakeholders in the change management process is crucial for securing buy-in and ensuring successful implementation. As a board member, I am convinced that this approach will be effective, as we require the expertise and experience of all constituents to make decisions that benefit our children, and monitoring data will enable us to determine whether adjustments to our strategy are warranted.

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.

One of the main reasons our family moved to Gurnee was the diversity of the school district and the dual language program. I believe the Woodland school district has done a commendable job of promoting ED&I and I wholeheartedly support efforts to augment programs within the district. I firmly believe that children will feel a stronger sense of belonging and enjoyment in school when they see themselves and their culture reflected in their school and the curriculum.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

With my experience in leadership positions, I have established myself as an effective leader who can collaborate with diverse teams to drive organizational success.

I have been a dedicated member of our community since relocating to Gurnee, exemplified through my volunteer work within the Woodland buildings and other community groups. Currently, I am partnering with the College of Lake County childcare centers to facilitate the engagement of local scientists and engineers to lead students in STEM activities to foster the love for learning at a young age.

Through my collaboration with the site directors, I address site needs and implement feedback from students and staff to refine the program each year.

My goal is to contribute a voice to the school board that will rely on data and input from all stakeholders to inform decision-making and drive positive outcomes for students and staff.

I am committed to working in a collaborative manner with my fellow board members and administration. I will emphasize building stronger partnerships between schools, parents, and the community, as well as advancing school safety and nurturing learning environments.

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

I recently had the chance to participate in an event at the middle school, where students were assigned jobs and tasked with creating budgets based on their salaries. The exchange between students and community volunteers was inspiring to witness.

To build on this success, I recommend creating more opportunities for community members and parents to engage within the schools, sharing their expertise and experiencing the district's achievements firsthand.

One potential idea is to develop career days featuring parents and community members or inviting guest speakers from the community that can effectively engage and interact with students.