Harathi K. Srivastava: 2025 candidate for Barrington Unit District 220 board

Bio

Office sought: Barrington Unit District 220 board (Vote for 4)

City: South Barrington

Age: 40

Occupation: Stay-at-home mom

Previous offices held: N/A

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

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago by immigrant parents who instilled in me the values of hard work and the importance of a strong education. While I have taken a step back from my chosen career to focus on raising my three children, my education and background is in nursing, where I developed critical skills in decision-making, communication, and active listening — helps me to approach every challenge with empathy and compassion.

While education is too expansive to have a single issue focus, my top priorities include supporting both the physical and mental health of our students, ensuring open and transparent communication with the community, and providing opportunities for all of our students to thrive.

Additionally, I believe it is critical to offer our educators the support they need to inspire and shape the next generation of leaders.

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

A school board should maintain objectivity when assessing student needs, utilize data as well as the input of the educators to make informed decisions regarding curriculum.

Educators should be developing instructional approaches; the school board is responsible for approving curriculum materials while aligning with both state standards and core community values.

As Barrington D220 is a Community Unit district serving kindergarten through 12th grade, our school board should reflect the diversity of the community it serves. Open-mindedness and receptivity to differing viewpoints are essential for crafting policies and decisions that address the needs of all students.

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

While not solely a curriculum issue, it’s critical that we prioritize meeting the needs of our special education and IEP families in the district.

I am dedicated to finding ways to advocate for these students, equip them with the tools they need to succeed, and ensure their voices are heard. It’s also essential that we are using district funds strategically to support the nearly one in five children of our student population with Individualized Education Programs.

With significant changes happening at the national level within the Department of Education, it’s even more urgent that our district is prepared and proactive in offering the necessary resources and opportunities for these students. We need to address this challenge head-on, ensuring that all persons -- students, their families, and our educators and our educators are fully supported.

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 views when confronting policy or curriculum controversies, it is essential to actively listen to key stakeholders, including parents, educators, and community members.

Healthy discussion among board members will ensure that all voices are heard while keeping in mind that decisions should still adhere to state guidelines and provide clear, thoughtful leadership and guidance.

By engaging with concerns, involving families in decision-making whenever possible, and offering transparent explanations for necessary changes, we can ensure that decisions align with the district’s goals and prioritize the best interests of all students.

For the residents in our district, promoting fiscal transparency is equally critical. Financial resources must be allocated in ways that directly benefit students while safeguarding the bond rating which aids in reducing tax increases.

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.

While my direct experience doesn’t include new policy creation, I bring a wealth of leadership experience in conducting thorough assessments and using critical thinking to implement effective changes while staying aligned with state and local guidelines and regulations.

My years of experience making data-driven improvements, monitoring those changes, providing clear and timely feedback, and adjusting practices will bring immense value to our school board. When developing policy, it’s crucial that each team member brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the table.

We need to foster an open dialogue, while ensuring we remain grounded in data analysis and compare our benchmarks with similar districts to evaluate our interpretation of this data.

My leadership style focuses on being an active listener, valuing constructive criticism, and embracing a multitude of perspectives. Above all, I prioritize making decisions based on data and incorporating feedback from those who are directly involved with these policies day-to-day which I believe will be very effective in making decisions for the school board.

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.

I am deeply impressed by the steps our school district has taken to prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion within our community. Given our district’s expansive geographical reach and the broad reaching population of learners we serve, it is vital that our educators reflect the rich uniqueness of our community.

The district has demonstrated forward-thinking leadership by establishing an administrative role dedicated solely to these initiatives as well as a district equity team comprised of various members of the district to drive meaningful progress. I believe these programs and integrated curriculum should be continually supported and expanded in our district.

These initiatives foster a culture of respect, promote a sense of belonging, and ensure all students feel valued. At its core, they encourage acceptance of abilities and differences, enhance student engagement, and equip students for success in both academic settings and the wide ranging workforce they will encounter in the future.

By continuing to invest in and expand diversity and equity efforts, we can cultivate a stronger, more inclusive school community where every member feels empowered to succeed.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

As a lifelong learner, I hold degrees in biology, nursing, and a Master’s in Leadership and Business — training that has empowered me to advocate effectively for our community.

As an empath, I make time to advocate for those that are in need including speaking against injustice, rallying the community around a worthy cause and actively listening and initiating change in our communities.

I believe that now is the right moment for me to serve on the school board. I bring the drive, dedication, and passion needed to support this community, and I am deeply committed to its success. I care about the well-being of our families and am fully invested in the future of our children.

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

As part of the Framework 220 initiative, the district focuses on promoting healthy digital habits, building on Jonathan Haidt’s “The Anxious Generation,” which advocates for limiting screen time. This raises the question of whether K-2 students should have the same screen time allowances as high schoolers.

Potential changes could include keeping student devices at school, limiting screen use during non-instructional time, and supporting families who choose to keep children phone-free. Many families who opt for a phone-free approach until their children are older may also benefit from additional resources to navigate today’s tech-driven world, especially as kids transition from elementary to middle school.

Successful implementation will require collaboration with key stakeholders — educators, administrators, parents, and students. Policies should be tailored to the developmental needs of different age groups, rather than applied district-wide. Ensuring flexibility, clear communication, and transparency will be essential in addressing the diverse needs of all students and supporting their mental well-being.