Patrick Malia Jr.: 2025 candidate for Community Unit District 300 board

Bio

Office sought: Community Unit District 300 board (Dundee Township)

City: Sleepy Hollow

Age: 42

Occupation: No answer given

Previous offices held: No previous offices held

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

I am running for election to the District 300 Board of Education because I have been involved with the school district since my son started preschool at DeLacey in 2019. I began following along with board meetings and submitted my name for the Parent Advisory Council when the opportunity presented itself where, I served all three years that it ran.

I am running now because I want to continue giving back to the students and teachers of the district and my experience has given me a solid foundation for my candidacy. With a long background working with the district, I am aware of the challenges I will face if elected and I am prepared to take them on.

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

It is not the role of the school board to set the curriculum. Curriculum is set by the Illinois legislature in conjunction with the state board of education. The administration, the experts in educating our kids, is allowed to decide what tools will be used to teach the curriculum mandated by the state. The school board approves or denies the methods and materials used to teach our kids suggested by the administration.

The school board monitors curriculum by evaluating various metrics of student achievement. The current 5-year strategic plan focuses on metrics such as math and reading proficiency to determine where students are performing. There has been an increase in student performance over the last two years and, if elected, I plan to make sure that performance continues this upward trend.

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

With all the changes that are occurring at the national level, it’s hard to say what issues our district will face in the near future. We must continue to provide the resources needed for all our students to succeed academically.

Our most vulnerable students, especially those with special needs, are currently at risk given the changes that may be on the horizon. As changes occur, the district will have to carefully evaluate how any changes impact what resources will be available to our students. The goal must be to determine how to continue to provide a quality education to all of our students.

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 school board member, I will be one of seven people who will research, analyze and discuss all aspects of everything we do as leaders in the district.

As part of my research, I would pay close attention to information from staff, public opinion, communications from constituents and any as well as applicable law and any other information I can obtain. I will always listen to any stakeholder, regardless of whether I agree with them or not and include their opinions in whatever conclusion I come to.

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 do not have any direct experience working in setting school district policy. However, I served on the District 300 Parent Advisory Council for the three years it ran.

Besides learning about how various departments of the district work, much of what we did was working in groups to review and discuss district programs and procedures and give feedback about issues facing our schools; so I am experienced in working in this type of setting.

My style is to listen more than anything. It is important to listen to what everyone says to gather as much information as possible to make the best decision that is beneficial for everyone. Listening allows for better understanding of how decisions impact the entire community.

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 do not know what you are referring to when you say “diversity and equity efforts” but in my experience, District 300 does a great job in determining, analyzing and providing resources to each and every one of our students to make sure that they are ready to learn, enjoy learning and, in fact, learn to the best of their ability.

There are many programs in place and resources available to students to reach these goals. While I am certainly not aware of all programs and resources available in this district, I would not recommend eliminating or diminishing any program or resource that helps kids.

These programs ensure all our students are in a supportive environment that fosters their learning and development. We cannot work on increasing our academic scores without them.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

I am the best candidate for the job because I have been involved in the school district for the last six years. I served on the Parent Advisory Council for 3 years; learned a lot about the workings of the various departments of the district and worked in a collaborative environment with other parents and administrators to give the administration our opinions and recommendations on various programs and policies used and followed by the district.

In addition, I have two elementary school-aged children so I have an interest in the long-term operation of the district because it directly impacts my family.

Teamwork is essential in this position and something I embrace. I am also ready to take any future challenges head on as we are in a rapidly changing society. Some of these challenges are not going to be easy to overcome, but the work we have in front of us is something I will not shy away from.

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

I would like to see more collaboration between schools. What does one school do better than another in terms of community outreach, parent involvement, test scores, or attendance policies?

I would like to facilitate communication between schools so we build a stronger community throughout the school district. Our school district’s strength lies in the diverse populations we serve and working closely with one another builds a stronger foundation for all of our students.