Leslie LaMarca: 2025 candidate for Community Unit District 300 board (2-year term)

Bio

Office sought: Community Unit District 300 board (2-year term)

City: Pingree Grove

Age: 55

Occupation: Nonprofit consultant

Previous offices held: Community Unit District 300 board 2019-2023; appointed to board in August 2024

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

Now more than ever, our children need reasonable, experienced, and compassionate voices supporting our educational system. I have over 10 years of experience as a school board member. I understand and respect the value of working with people with varying perspectives. And my volunteerism in this community demonstrates both my compassion for and my commitment to the District 300 community.

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

We have curriculum specialists in District 300 that work with teams in each area to identify, evaluate, and recommend the curriculum materials on which the board ultimately votes. The board, as does also the public, has ample opportunity to review curriculum materials before the final vote.

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

Aside from possibly expanding certain areas such as CTE and Technology, I do not feel there are any particular issues at this time.

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, it is vital that we be open to hearing all perspectives surrounding any issue, regardless of our own personal leanings. Constituents have many opportunities and pathways to express their opinions and thoughts on any matter concerning the district. Once received, that contribution is a part of any other information we receive as board members for consideration when determining our vote.

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.

As an experienced board member, I fully understand the value of a board — the collective governing body that individually represents multiple perspectives, values, and experience. Nothing is more indicative of a high-functioning board than a respectful, but lively, debate among its members concerning any issue before it. Through debate and discussion, we learn from each other and often proctor compromise that ultimately best serves our constituents. This is my personal favorite part about serving on a board and I am always an active participant in this process as it is also the most rewarding.

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.

I feel strongly that “DEI” and “diminished” should not be used in the same sentence. I am very proud of our district and the work we have done thus far within the realm of DEI. Serving a very large district that is diverse in a multitude of areas brings with it intrinsic challenges that need and should continue to be identified, addressed, and ultimately alleviated through thoughtful, inclusive action. In other words, I am stating that a district with the propensity to show compassion for every student is a district that will never be done with their DEI work.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

The voters will decide who “the best” candidates are, but I am the one who, once again, is stepping up. I have experience as a school board member, a track record of working well with other board members, staff and administration, and constituents and a deep history with this district both as a highly engaged parent and a community leader/activist/volunteer for our underserved populations.

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

I always think it is a good idea to find new ways to engage all types of constituents. Even with everything going on in our world, there needs to be a renewed sense of focus for the immense importance of public education and how every person can have a footprint in that legacy. Whether it is through some innovative communications, the inception of new, targeted community groups, or bringing more student voices forward in novel ways, I truly believe we can achieve this.