Bill Harrison: 2025 candidate for Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 board

Bio

Office sought: Wheeling Township Elementary District 21 board (Vote for 4)

City: Buffalo Grove

Age: 66

Occupation: Retired real estate attorney

Previous offices held: District 21 board member since 2001

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

We have done so much and yet have so much more we can do for our students and community. We have gone from needing to borrow to make payroll to gaining financial recognition status (the highest rating) from the Illinois State Board of Education for the past 7 years.

All 12 of our elementary and middle schools have achieved “commendable” ratings from ISBE. With the outstanding support of our community, we have added all day kindergarten, improved security and brought new libraries, playgrounds and air conditioning to all of our buildings. And we have created the first school-based health center for an elementary district in the area.

In the upcoming term, we have the exciting opportunity to bring an Early Childhood Center to the community, which would eliminate waiting lists for intervention services and bring quality early learning to more of our children.

I also look forward to helping set the future course for the district by working on a new strategic plan. And I plan to continue working with legislators and the Illinois Association of School Boards on Tax Increment Financing (TIF) reform and board member advocacy.

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

The school board is part of the cycle of curriculum review. While it is the purview of the administration and staff to conduct the actual review, it is incumbent on the board to drive the process, analyze the reports and recommendations of the review committee and to make the ultimate decision on those recommendations.

The administration is then responsible for collecting data on the progress made by our students. Once sufficient data is collected the administration is required to report back to the board as an accountability measure. We then collectively determine whether any adjustments need to be made, whether to stay the course or whether to begin the cycle again.

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

We are currently reviewing our math curriculum. A new program is being piloted in the district and depending on the results of that trial we may be adopting a new math curriculum in short order.

After that, I believe that we need to turn our attention to middle school exploratories/electives. We need to examine if our current offerings are still meeting today’s students’ needs.

Without prejudging the process, I would like to see a strengthening of our STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Math) offerings.

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?

The options given are not mutually exclusive, and in fact should be used together. I make a point of attending events throughout the district, from concerts and curriculum nights to PTO meetings and village events solely for the purpose of listening (not necessarily talking) to community members.

Honest listening, together with the reminder that listening isn’t necessarily agreeing, gives constituents a voice. Understanding state statutes, directives and opinions, as well as speaking with state legislators gives a broader perspective and understanding of the issues involved beyond the headlines.

And at the end of the day, the community elects its representatives to take all of this into account and make decisions on their behalf, both popular and perhaps less so. And when we make decisions that may be less popular, we owe the community our rationale as to how we came to our conclusion.

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.

Effective board work begins well before a potentially divisive issue comes up. I have found that three main things help a school board to work together toward the common goal of educating students and serving the community.

First, it is beneficial for the individual board members to get to know each other on a personal level, to get beyond politics and to understand why they wish to serve on the board. To that end, I have made it a practice during my tenure on the board to frequently meet with all of my fellow board members individually.

Second, it is very useful for the board to regularly complete board governance training together with a facilitator from the Illinois Association of School Boards. It allows the board to review best practices, update its board agreements and address any potential problems that may arise.

Finally, it has helped me to step back and regularly remind myself why each of us is here — for the betterment of the students and community. It refocuses me and allows me to better accept the differences that we all have.

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.

It helps to understand the term and more importantly how it's used. Equity efforts are not a zero sum game, one student getting something more or different doesn’t mean someone else must be shortchanged or marginalized. It simply doesn’t need to be that way.

In District 21, we believe that it is our responsibility to meet children where they are and to lift them as far as they can go. We can and must do that, and do it without leaving someone else behind. Our great diversity is one of our strengths. As long as we continue to use this perspective, I support the continuation and enhancement of our efforts.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

What makes me a highly qualified candidate for the position is a combination of experience, background, involvement, and engagement. During my tenure on the board, we have brought financial stability and improved academic performance, all-day kindergarten, new libraries and playgrounds, improved security and air conditioning, all to benefit our students.

My background as a real estate attorney (retired) will continue to be beneficial to the district as we discuss bringing an Early Childhood Center to the community.

I have taken Certified School Business Officer training to enhance my understanding of school finance. I have received recognition for my work on behalf of District 21. I have served on ED-RED representing school districts in the North and Northwest Suburbs and I am currently chair of the IASB North Cook Division.

Additionally, I have testified in front of the Illinois State House and met with legislators in D.C. on behalf of District 21 and area school districts. And I continually attend events throughout our community in order to hear the perspectives and concerns of our residents.

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

We should take a look at our after-school offerings to see if they can be expanded to allow students a greater opportunity to explore areas of interest beyond standard curricular mandates. For example, I have been a volunteer chess teacher in our district and others for many years.

There are certainly many others with skills, experience and ability to share with our students. We can also look to area businesses and corporations to see if they would be willing to work with our students in the arts, sciences and other areas. This can provide our students the chance to see beyond the classroom and grow their horizons.