Phyllis Lubinski: 2025 candidate for Park Ridge Elementary District 64 board

Bio

Office sought: Park Ridge Elementary District 64 board (Vote for 4)

City: Niles

Age: 47

Occupation: Judicial executive administrator

Previous offices held: District 64 Eugene Field PTO co-president; District 64 Emerson co-vice president; District 64 school board secretary; District 64 policy chair

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

I am seeking re election because I believe that a strong school district is the foundation of a thriving community. That’s why I am dedicated to listening to your concerns, collaborating with our stakeholders, and making decisions that prioritize our students’ success. I believe the board needs continuity, stability, experience, common sense and insight, and I bring that to the table.

Ensuring that the funds from the referendum are used responsibly, and effectively to support our schools many construction projects is what motivates me along with the supportive parents in the Park Ridge-Niles communities.

I will work tirelessly to prioritize transparency, accountability the best interest of our students, and community, ensuring that referendum resources create safe, inclusive and inspiring learning environments for generations to come.

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

The board plays a critical role in setting and monitoring the curriculum to ensure it meets educational standards and community needs. The role of the school board is approving curriculum, setting educational standards, monitory implementation, evaluating outcomes, and engaging with the community.

Overall, the school board serves as a bridge between state education mandates and local community priorities, ensuring that the curriculum and district leadership support student achievement while reflecting community values.

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

We are currently underlining a middle school review with the aim to provide more time for English and language arts and potentially math. We also are doing an audit of our middle school electives to see what aligns to District 207 so that students are prepared when entering high school.

Once the audit is complete, we are planning on performing more curriculum reviews with the elective areas.

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?

As a board member, it is essential to approach policy and curriculum controversies with a balance of leadership, community engagement, and adherence to state guidelines. My decision making is always guided by what is in the best interest of the students' education and well-being while following state laws.

I am always available to my constituents, and I think they know that. Even those with whom I disagree, I try to have an open honest dialogue which fosters trust and ensures that the decision that I make, are made with understanding, compassion, and empathy.

I try to lead with integrity, while engaging the community in meaningful discussions.

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 gained experience working in group settings to determine policy through collaborative decision-making, open dialogue, and a focus on research -based best practices through my role in at the Chicago Bar Association but also in the way that I was brought up in the family restaurant business.

My approach is that I ensure that all voices are heard while keeping discussions solution-oriented and aligned with the district’s mission, while again following the state laws.

I gather diverse perspectives, do my research, use common sense when making decision rather than personal opinions or external pressures.

I am also a big negotiator. I make sure everyone walks away from the table feeling heard and satisfied, with no hard feelings.

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.

My assessment of the school district’s diversity and equity efforts is that they play a vital role in ensuring that all students, regardless of background, have access to a high-quality education and feel valued in the school community. Ensuring curriculum reflects diverse perspective and prepares students for a globally connected world.

Rather than diminishing these efforts, I believe they should evolve based on community feedback, and best practice to ensure they remain effective in meeting the needs of all students.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

As a judicial executive administrator at the Chicago Bar Association, I understand complex policies, legal frameworks, and decision-making processes. My background equips me to navigate district policies, budgets, and governance effectively.

Having grown up in the restaurant business, I have experience in budget management, operational efficiency, and resource allocation. These skills will help ensure fiscal responsibility while maintaining high-quality educational programs.

Both my professional experience and my restaurant upbringing have reinforced the importance of listening to diverse perspectives, building consensus, and working as a team, all crucial for addressing school district challenges and making well-rounded decisions.

With experience in both policy and business, I bring a unique, well-rounded perspective to the school board. I am someone who understands the laws and leads with empathy and compassion.

My combination of legal expertise, business acumen, and community-focused leadership makes me a highly qualified and effective candidate for the school board. More importantly, is that I love what I do on the school board for our students and our communities.

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

One innovative idea I have is to create a “Digital Policy Sandbox” for the school board. In this model, the board would launch an interactive online platform where board members, educators, parents, and even students can collaboratively test out policy proposals before they’re finalized.

By using real-time data, simulation tools, and predictive models, the sandbox would allow stakeholders to see how changes — like adjustments in resource allocation, budgeting, or curricular shifts — could impact student outcomes and school operations.

This approach not only increases transparency but also encourages data‐driven decision-making and genuine community engagement. It transforms policy development from a closed process into an ongoing experiment where the community can help refine ideas, ensuring that any new policy is both innovative and responsive to local needs.

This Digital Policy Sandbox could become a central hub for dialogue, idea-sharing, and iterative planning, ultimately leading to more effective and equitable policies for the district.