Mark D. Pos: 2025 candidate for Gurnee Elementary District 56 board

Bio

Office sought: Gurnee Elementary District 56 board (Vote for 3)

City: Gurnee

Age: 63

Occupation: Associate athletic director

Previous offices held: Gurnee D56 board since 2013

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

I am running again because I really like the direction the district is heading. As a district, we are working hard to give our students a greater opportunity to be successful in the classroom. I also want to continue to watch our strategic plan and “Portrait of a Graduate” continue to develop and grow.

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

I personally believe our role is to support the development of curriculum and then monitor its development and implementation. As a board, we help hire the people to develop the curriculum and implement it for the students in our district.

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

Having been on the board for 12 years, I truly feel our administrative team has adjusted our curriculum on an as-needed basis. Between state requirements and community recommendations, I feel our curriculum is currently in a very good place.

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 feel my role of the board is to be able to hear both sides of any policy and curriculum controversies. Although the goal to keep both sides happy, ultimately our objective is to do what is best for the students in our district. It is important not to make a quick decision, but a thoughtful decision that factors everything.

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.

For the past six years, the Gurnee District 56 board reviews a set of policies at each meeting. It is a couple year cycle to get through all of our policies. In some cases, the state has made some changes to the policy. By reviewing them at each meeting, it affords board an opportunity to review and make changes that would better serve the district and our stakeholders.

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.

Gurnee District 56 has a very diverse population and I think it is very important that we recognize the diversity. I think the programs we offer not only serve the intended population, but also bring other populations out to celebrate. I will always support hiring the best candidates for our open positions, but we need make sure our staff has the representation of our population.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

As a longtime member of the board, I have been part of positive growth in our district. I have helped hired two superintendents, helped developed the current strategic plan, and also worked with the “Portrait of a Graduate.”

Also during this time I have help different leadership role within the board. Finally, I have spent the past 40 years in education. I have been a classroom teacher (Warren), athletic administrator (Warren/Carmel), and as an athletic trainer (Warren and Eastern Illinois University). Being involved in many different roles in the education field has made me a well rounded member of our board.

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

I hope we can look at ways to be able to run a summer school program for students that need some additional educational needs above the normal school year. Over the past three years, we have had Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds to help us run a summer school program. With the funds no longer existing, it is important for our district to still be able to service these students.