Bruce Pagni: 2025 candidate for Antioch Community High School District 117 board
Bio
Office sought: Antioch Community High School District 117 board (Vote for 4)
City: Antioch
Age: 82
Occupation: Retired school teacher
Previous offices held: Currently vice president, District 117 school board
Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?
Currently, I serve as vice president on the board, and I'm running for reelection because I'm an advocate for public education. As a retired teacher, I fully understand the importance of providing a strong and meaningful curriculum for all students.
My desire is for District 117 schools to meet the needs of all students and provide programs and extracurricular activities that meet these needs. Activities such as sports, band, theater, and clubs are integral to meeting these needs and often are the reason students succeed in school. Additionally, District 117 needs to, and as a board, has been fiscally responsible to the community we serve.
What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum?
Actually, a board does not establish or develop curriculum because that is the is the role of the administration and teachers within the school. It is, however, the obligation of the board to monitor the curriculum that is developed and taught.
As a current board member, I know that each month a department and/or an administrator will report to the board. These reports provide data regarding student performance, the metrics used to measure performance, and the successes and challenges of the department. An opportunity is provided for the board to ask questions for clarification.
Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board?
Actually no. I believe that curriculum is strong and varied to meet the needs of all students, providing excellent experiences. A few years ago, the district held a series of meetings to look at and update the district's strategic plan that involved community members, students, teachers, administrators, and board members. I served as a member of this group.
The most significant result of that work was the implementation of the “Portrait of A Graduate” that outlines the competencies that a District 117 student should possess at graduation. These competencies are thinks critically; embraces diversity; is emotionally intelligent; is courageous; collaborates; and communicates.
All the teachers in each department work to include these competencies in the lessons and activities they plan. How departments accomplish this is also presented to the board as part of their yearly report.
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?
In issues involving policy or curriculum controversies, a board member’s role is to the listen to the concerns presented to the board and evaluate these concerns in an open, honest, and thoughtful discussion.
However, in all instances, the board needs to trust the administration and teachers because they are the experts, possessing the knowledge to make decisions regarding the selection of teaching materials, textbooks and other activities.
Additionally, the superintendent and administration are the experts in developing policy because they know and understand the federal and state laws that determine policy. I believe the board’s role is to question, but in the end, to support their decisions.
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 a current board member, I have been working within a group to evaluate policy and the decisions made by the superintendent and administration. I listen carefully to the opinions of other board members and community members during the public session. It's important to be a good listener and be open minded when listening in order to make progress when there are disagreements.
Finally, it's important to realize that regardless of disagreements or varying opinions, that the Board speaks as one voice.
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.
The “Portrait of a Graduate” indicates the competencies the board believes a student should possess at graduation: thinks critically, embraces diversity; is emotionally intelligent; is courageous; collaborates; and communicates.
All teachers work diligently to include these competencies in their lesson plans, teaching materials, and activities. I believe these competencies are important to the development of the whole child and work to include all students regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender. This important and I fully support the superintendent and administration in their efforts.
What makes you the best candidate for the job?
I believe my experience as a teacher, coordinator of a college studies program, and communications department chair gives an advantage to evaluate the programs and curriculum of District 117. Also, my eight years of serving on District 117's board gives me an advantage over most others who seeking a position on the board. Also, I am a good listener who takes the views and opinions of other seriously and attempts always to be open-minded.
What’s one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?
To enhance the existing programs, curriculum and activities at Antioch High School and Lakes High School. To help the administration in their efforts to encourage all students to be involved in all the various extracurricular activities that each of the high schools offer. All data shows that grades improve when students are actively involved in their school.