Supna Jain: 2025 candidate for Indian Prairie Unit District 204 board

Bio

Office sought: Indian Prairie Unit District 204 board (Vote for 4)

City: Naperville

Age: No answer given

Occupation: Principal lecturer in communication and media studies

Previous offices held: District 204 board member since 2021

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

I am running for reelection because I believe in the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I was fortunate to grow up with a strong support system, including my parents, and my community. Now, I want to continue giving back by serving our District 204 families.

One of my top priorities is supporting students’ mental health. The transition back from COVID and into in-person learning highlighted the need for expanded social-emotional learning (SEL) as well as mental health resources.

Through innovative solutions and grant funding, our district provided over 6,000 therapy sessions, becoming a model for over 20 school districts across our state. While we are proud of this progress, the demand for mental health support continues to grow and ensuring these services remain accessible and sustainable is critical to student success.

By working together as a community, we can continue fostering an environment where every child feels supported, safe, and empowered to learn. I am committed to advocating for the well-being of all students and ensuring that District 204 remains a leader in prioritizing mental health in education

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

Our role is to make sure the curriculum supports district goals and meets state and federal standards. While we don't create lesson plans or decide how teachers teach, we ensure students get what they need to succeed.

We give the superintendent the responsibility of shaping the curriculum and keep track of its effectiveness through assessments and feedback from teachers, parents, and students.

Throughout the year, we also review and approve curriculum updates, including new textbooks or programs. These changes take time and involve input from educators, community members, and subject experts, but at the end of the day, the work that we do ensures that they reflect both student needs and community values.

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

We have improved the way we review our curriculum by establishing a structured review schedule. In a district as large as ours, it is essential to regularly assess the curriculum across all 33 schools to ensure consistency in its delivery.

This structured approach was much needed, and I am pleased to see this change implemented in recent years. It has helped keep our programs up to date and aligned with student needs.

Additionally, mandates from the state government often need to be implemented and integrated into the curriculum and ensuring this is done in a timely manner and in a way that makes sense for both teachers and students is a key priority.

Looking ahead, my focus is on maintaining parity in curriculum delivery across the district, and ensuring that every single one of District 204 families continue to have access to the high quality education we provide.

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?

When controversy arises, I believe it’s essential to listen and learn from all stakeholders. My role as a board member is to ensure that every voice in our community is heard, even when I may not personally agree with them. Decisions must always be student centered, data driven, and aligned with district goals and state requirements. Leadership, whether in times of controversy or not, is not about popularity, but about doing what is best for our students.

Our community is engaged and well-informed, and I take great pride in the fact that major decisions over the past four years have involved meaningful community input. While I cannot predict future controversies, I can promise to approach each issue with an open mind, do my due diligence in learning, and make decisions that best serve our students.

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 approach policy-making in a group setting with a strong emphasis on preparation, collaboration, and active listening. Before I speak on any topic, it’s important for me to understand the issue thoroughly. This involves not just researching on my own, but also engaging with key stakeholders (i.e. experts in the field, those with relevant experience, and people who will be directly impacted by the decision, including our District 204 families).

By taking this time to listen and learn, I’m able to approach meetings well-informed and with meaningful questions.

In discussions, I share my views and listen to my fellow board members. I believe that listening to others’ perspectives, challenging both their and my own ideas respectfully, and asking the right questions leads us to better solutions.

This approach ensures that our decisions are data-driven, student-centered, and aligned with the district’s goals. I believe this method helps us lead effectively, ultimately benefiting our students and the community as a whole.

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’m proud of the district’s diversity and equity efforts. We’ve been leaders in Illinois, with initiatives like being one of the first to establish a Parents Diversity group and hire an executive director of equity. We’ve created an equity statement, conducted a district-wide equity report with community input, and continue to make equity a priority in our decision-making.

As a board member, educator, parent, and citizen, I strongly support continuing and enhancing these programs. It’s crucial to see every student as a whole person, understanding their needs and creating an environment where they can thrive. While we’ve made great progress, I believe there’s always room to improve, especially as we build on what’s already working and find new ways to be even more inclusive and equitable in our policies and practices.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I’m deeply committed to public education and believe that every student deserves access to a high-quality education. My background in communication, law, higher education, and the arts gives me a unique perspective on policy-making, educational systems, and group decision-making. As a daughter of immigrant parents, I also bring a strong sense of community and a commitment to ensuring that every child has the resources to succeed.

I hold a law degree, which helps me navigate policy and understand the legal aspects of decision-making. Additionally, as a principal lecturer in communication and media studies, I’m experienced in curriculum development, teaching, and engaging with students.

Over the past four years on the school board, I’ve been involved in key issues such as remote learning, boundary changes, and improving school facilities.

With the passage of the District 204 bond referendum, I’m excited about the opportunities ahead to continue serving our students. I’m committed to listening to our district’s parents and ensuring that we provide the best opportunities for all students to thrive.

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

I’m really proud of the work our district has done, but as a board member, it’s also important to keep looking for areas of improvement.

One thing I’ve been focusing on is making it easier for community members to get involved and volunteer. While many people connect with the district through parent-teacher associations, I think there are more opportunities for community members to share their skills and resources to benefit the district.

Given the financial challenges that school districts have faced over the last five years, I believe we need to get creative and better align the needs of our students and staff with the resources and talent that exist in our community, and providing volunteering opportunities to district residents (including parents and students), would help us find more sustainable ways to support our schools and students.