Sahar Ahmad: 2025 candidate for Butler Elementary District 53 board

Bio

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

City: Oak Brook

Age: 50+

Occupation: Physician

Previous offices held: Butler 53 District board member

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

I have been part of this district as a homeowner, a parent and as a board member for the last 16 years. I care deeply about the quality of education in our schools and believe that all kids can thrive and be successful if the board of education and administration works closely with the parents and the community members.

I am a strong advocate of transparency, communication, and accountability. One area I care a lot about is fiscal stewardship and feel that waste needs to be removed from our schools to allow our public funds to work efficiently for our kids’ future.

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

The school board must stay vigilant in monitoring that the curriculum meets the needs of all kids performing at all levels. It must hold the administration accountable to monitor, evaluate and reevaluate the curriculum continually and update it every 3 to 5 years.

It must obtain frequent updates on curriculum maps, evaluate it against test performance and be ready to change course and invest in better resources if necessary.

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

We have a very wide variety of learners, including a very high percentage of advanced learners in this district and we strive to provide several tiers of differentiation to meet the needs of all learners.

It’s imperative that the board remains committed to providing these multiple tiers of differentiation because that’s what makes this district very successful and extremely desirable. This requires constantly challenging our curriculum, focus on quality of teachers and allocating resources.

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 elected by my constituents, I believe in listening to my community. It is not about what benefits me or some strong voices, but what is in the best interest of the majority of the kids and parents in the district.

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 been working on policy making in critical care units as well as hospital wide settings for the last 20 years. I have also been a school board member as well as member of the policy committee for the last four years.

When reviewing new policy, I like to review what’s the practice in neighboring districts, and in my state, as well as current rules and regulations. I talk to community members and hear their concerns.

I believe ideas must be debated on the board table, every member should be heard as they represent a portion of community, and stay very transparent about this decision-making process So the community is assured that we put in your 100% in doing what’s best for all kids in the end.

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.

Our district is unique in many ways. It is 53% students of Asian descent, a large percentage of kids are very highly achieving, and the parents are highly educated and very involved in a strong education of their children. The district strives to provide equal resources for all children according to their needs.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I’m one of the senior most board members in Butler 53 district. I have also been involved in the district for the longest duration of all current candidates/board members, continuously over the course of last 16 years. I know the details of our past and current practices, teachers, curriculum, administration, extracurricular activities and also other parents and kids.

I have been in the district before any of the current administrators started here. I’m the only current board member with that much experience in the district. in fact, I love this district so much that even though my last kid graduated from the district one year ago, I’m still committed to working on behalf of all other kids in my community and make sure that our taxes are utilized effectively to maintain our district’s excellence

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

I am the one member on the current board who wants to improve transparency and communication with the parents of our school community as can be confirmed by my record. I feel with changing times, we must be very cautious and also stay transparent about our financial needs and wants, and spend smartly on long-term educational investments while avoiding administrative wastes and frivolous spending as that’s what our community overwhelmingly values.