Resham R. Mendi: 2025 candidate for Butler Elementary District 53 board

Bio

Office sought: Butler Elementary District 53 (Vote for 4)

City: Oak Brook

Age: 46

Occupation: Physician, business owner

Previous offices held: Butler 53 PTO Vice President (4 years), Hinsdale Central D86 Music Boosters President (2 years)

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

I am running for the District 53 board because I believe my experience, skills, and levelheaded approach will allow me to contribute meaningfully to a district that has shaped me, my siblings, and my children. Having spent years in executive leadership within both District 53 and District 86 parent organizations, I have developed a strong foundation in rational, patient problem-solving and a deep appreciation for open, healthy discussions that lead to sound decision-making.

Additionally, my experience as a business owner has reinforced the importance of research, collaboration, and considering the needs of the entire district when making decisions. I don’t have a specific issue or agenda that brought me here — I am here because I want to use my experience and skills to support and strengthen a district that is so close to my heart.

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

The school board’s role is to set the vision and goals for our district while supporting the administration in achieving them.

As a proud graduate and parent in this district, I deeply appreciate the tradition of excellence that Butler District 53 has upheld for decades. This reputation is what draws families to Oak Brook and brings many District 53 graduates back to raise their own children here.

Our responsibility as a board is to ensure that our administration and teachers have the resources and support they need — not only to maintain this level of excellence but also to adapt to an ever-changing world and learning environment.

The board takes a long-term perspective, ensuring that Butler District 53 students are exceptionally well-prepared for the future. We closely monitor key metrics to ensure our goals are being met and that we continue to provide the highest quality education for our students.

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

Butler District 53 has a long-standing track record of academic excellence, but maintaining that strength requires continuous evaluation and adaptation. As technological advancements rapidly change how our children learn and interact with the world, we must ensure that our curriculum evolves accordingly.

I fully support Butler District 53’s commitment to ongoing curriculum evaluation, recognizing that thoughtful improvements will only make our district stronger.

Additionally, I believe in a well-rounded, whole-child approach to education. Our students benefit immensely from early and consistent exposure to social-emotional learning, the arts, music, and athletics.

Coming out of the pandemic, we must be intentional about strengthening these programs, as they play a critical role in student development. Ensuring that our district dedicates the necessary resources to both academic and extracurricular excellence will be key to preparing our students for success.

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 elected officials, board members have a responsibility to represent the entire community. This means actively listening to all voices, considering diverse perspectives, and responding appropriately within the framework of board and state policies.

I welcome and encourage discussions with fellow board members and community members — including those with whom I may disagree — because informed decision-making comes from thorough research, open dialogue, and a willingness to engage with different viewpoints.

Ultimately, my commitment is to make the best possible decisions for our district as a whole, free from bias or personal agenda, always with the goal of ensuring the best outcomes for our students and schools.

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.

My experience as the District 53 PTO Vice President, District 86 Music Boosters President, and a 10-year business owner has given me valuable insight into working collaboratively to determine policy and make decisions.

I believe productive decision-making comes from respectful, constructive dialogue — whether or not we all agree.

My approach is rooted in preparation, open-mindedness, and a genuine commitment to serving our community. When discussions are backed by solid research and guided by a shared goal of doing what’s best for our schools, they lead to strong outcomes.

Success in governance doesn’t mean always being on the prevailing side of a vote; it means ensuring all perspectives are considered. A strong board thrives on diversity of thought, and some of the most valuable lessons come from rethinking our stance, adjusting our approach, or learning from one another.

The RCKK slate (myself, Craig Donnelly, Kavitha Neerukonda, and Kaarina Lebrun) is running together not because we share a single agenda, but because we believe in the power of healthy discourse and ensuring levelheaded, educated, and valuable voices are at the table.

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.

Diversity is one of the greatest strengths and distinguishing factors of our district. It is woven into the fabric of our community and history, making Butler District 53 a truly special place. To ignore that would be neglecting a key part of what makes our district so exceptional.

I firmly believe in the importance of equity — ensuring that every student has access to the resources and opportunities they need to succeed. Equity does not mean prioritizing one group over another; rather, it means serving our entire community fairly, without bias, and with a commitment to excellence for all students.

Our district’s diversity and equity efforts should continue to be supported and thoughtfully evaluated to ensure they remain effective, inclusive, and aligned with the needs of our students and families. As a board member, my goal would be to uphold these values in a way that strengthens our schools and prepares all students for success in an increasingly diverse world.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am honored to be a candidate for the board, bringing analytical expertise, leadership experience, and a deep commitment to my community. I built a strong academic foundation with a degree in mathematical modeling and a medical degree from Northwestern University. This background has shaped my data-driven approach to problem-solving, but data is only as valuable as the perspective used to interpret it.

Through my career and leadership roles, I have learned how to apply data practically — to run a business, foster partnerships between the District 53 PTO and administration, and develop a new budget system for the District 86 Music Boosters. But leadership isn’t just about expertise — it requires humility, a willingness to learn, and the ability to listen.

A strong board member must recognize areas for growth, research, engage with administrators, and truly hear the community.

What makes me, and the RCKK slate, the right choice for the District 53 board is our deep community engagement and leadership experience. Most importantly, I do not come in with an agenda — only a commitment to serving Butler District 53 with an open mind and a focus on excellence.

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

Using metrics to guide our curriculum is essential, and I believe we can apply the same data-driven approach to strengthen our extracurricular programs as well.

As a small district, Butler District 53 faces unique challenges in sustaining programs in areas like athletics, science fairs, foreign language, chess, music, and the arts. To ensure these opportunities remain strong and beneficial for students, we should take a forward-looking approach — analyzing how our students transition into high school and beyond.

By identifying areas where Butler District 53 graduates may need stronger preparation, we can enhance our elementary and middle school programs accordingly. This proactive strategy would help ensure that our students are not only excelling academically but also developing skills and experiences that will serve them well in their future educational journeys.