Susan Taylor-Demming: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: NapervilleWebsite: www.SusanTaylorDemming4D204.comTwitter: @susandemm28Facebook: SusanTaylorDemming4D204Office sought: Indian Prairie Unit District 204 School Board Age: 57Family: Husband - Albert Demming, 23 yearsDaughters 1. Taylor, Junior in College2. Briana, Senior at Waubonsie Valley High SchoolOccupation: Consultant - PR/Mkting and Work Force DevelopmentEducation: Rice University - BA, Business and PsychologyColumbia University, Columbia Business School - M.B.A. , Marketing/ManagementCivic involvement: St. John AME - Member/Children's Church Teacher, 15 yearsGirl Scout Leader - 8 yearsGirl Scouts of Lisle - Past Board MemberJack and Jill of America, Inc - West Suburban Chicago Chapter, National, Regional and Local offices heldPTA Member, Board and/or Chair positions held at Fry, Scullen and WVHS.Project Arrow PTA - Charter member and co-authored establishing By-Laws.IPSD Communications Advisory Committee - 2007-2009Elected offices held: n/aQuestions Answers With growing concern around mental health and addiction, what should the district do to build mentally healthy students, support the mental health of students who have mental illnesses and help students avoid addiction?As we know, adolescence represents a myriad of developmental crossroads for our youth, meaning it is vital we as a community provide positive support in all possible arenas and especially at school. District wide, the Board should support administrative and staff efforts to create "Mentally Healthy" educational environments. Providing building educators with tools and resources in support of students is vital, (resources may be tangible, but also intangible in creating welcoming spaces). Annually, teacher institute days should include workshops to foster healthy classroom environments. District willingness to commit part of the annual preparation schedule addressing mental health, will enhance the everyday classroom experience, but should also prepare educators in case of building emergency situations. In addition, it's critical for communication to be open and safe between pertinent school staff and parents, who do have children with emotional, psycho-social or learning challenges to work together in the best interests of those students with additional needs. Healthy choices and actions for students are conversations that must begin even at our elementary schools (of course discussion appropriateness must take into account the age level). Ensuring the district Health curriculum includes discussions, presentations, in addition to text information, regarding the dangers of substance abuse is critical. There are often opportunities for first-hand, school assembly presentations and they can be powerful. In addition, continued partnerships with our neighboring districts, parent groups, and local police create the community approach that is so warranted to provide all stakeholders necessary information to enhance the safety of our childrenAs teachers use more and more technology in the classroom, how much should the district continue to support the eLo online learning consortium and the STEM Partnership school at Aurora University? How should spending on these technology-related learning experiences be balanced with other educational and financial priorities?At this stage, I'm in complete support of continuing the eLo online learning consortium, as it offers course selection by any student at our high school campuses. Potentially engaging in a subject topic that a student previously desired, but could not take because of schedule conflicts, or just the desire to experience a new learning environment, I feel eLo is a financially astute investment, as this line item has the potential to impact 33% of the district student population. Regarding investment with the John C. Dunham STEM Partnership school, I am very interested in assessing the financial investment, staff resource allocation required from our district and as the initiative concludes its 3rd year, I'd like to have the benefits realized by the entire district in comparison to investment. The concept is magnificent and I envision the D204 students attending the site are flourishing in their STEM growth and knowledge areas. But as a potential board member, I want to understand the impact and value the balance of our district is receiving from the partnership. How have rotational teachers brought their experiences back to their campus environment and then, how has their experience been shared with schools who haven't had rotational teachers? With our district in financial limbo, uncertainty regarding our state funding contribution, we must be certain our expenditures benefit the majority of our student population. I will have to see the data to convince me this continues to be best for the majority of our school district.How big a role do you think the board of education should play in setting the curriculum for students and what ideas do you have for changes to the current curriculum?I strongly feel the Board of Education has a critical strategic role to play in curriculum setting for students. As indicated in another area of the questionnaire, I am extremely interested in uncovering increased partnerships with local businesses that are STEM related, bringing additional exposure of the importance of these fields to our students. As curriculum areas are presented that have real-world applications, it would be advantageous for our students to have hands-on experience when possible, simulations brought into the classroom and business personnel to make the translation from text book to everyday application. Staff, especially at the high school level, is actively engaged with local companies in making those connections; I'd love to see increases in those connections beginning at earlier ages as well. I hope a benefit to be realized from the Dunham STEM partnership is that curriculum ideas can be brought back for implementation consideration throughout our district. Another area that I am very passionate about is ensuring that we include curriculum or curriculum access that allows students to delve into additional hands-on technical/trade arenas. As a Workforce Development consultant, creating and directing grant initiatives targeted towards underserved youth and young adults, I know first-hand how important it is to acknowledge and provide options for those students who don't know what their post-secondary path is, and/or students who will likely follow an associate or technical certification path. Additional access to increased COD dual programs for these students could be valuable consideration options for our curriculum.What budget issues will your district have to confront and what measures do you support to address them? If you believe cuts are necessary, what programs and expenses should be reduced or eliminated? On the income side, do you support any tax or fee increases?The biggest issue looming for all of Illinois school districts right now is the final determination on school funding from the state, based on results from the Illinois School Funding Reform Commission. The report has been presented, but districts are awaiting the specific impact on their district clarified, especially as a second Commission has been recommended to oversee the funding formula designation. Without specifics regarding anticipated state revenues, we remain in a planning position without confirmed budget data. In light of this uncertain financial scenario, any additional budget items presented to the board for consideration must be backed with strong research indicating value to be brought to the majority of students in our district. I am in support of the recent decision to scale back the requirement for Driver's Education to be mandated as a high school requirement. I feel all areas must be open to examination, including our district's John C Dunham STEM partnership. As the third year comes to a conclusion, it is imperative we understand the value brought to the entire district, student and staff population with this investment. How is this investment tangibly benefitting all of our elementary and middle schools? I want to ensure we are creatively seeking opportunities to partner with technical companies to bring additional STEM opportunities to student's throughout our district and truly determine if the STEM partnership at AU will continue to be in the best interest of the entire district if indeed our state contribution remains in peril.What role can and should school choice play in your district? If Congress or the state approves a voucher system or other means giving students broader choices among public and private schools, how will that affect your district? What is the appropriate response for the board of education of a public school system?For Indian Prairie School District 204, I don't see school choice and vouchers having a major impact in the immediate future in our district. Most of our schools are exceeding state performance averages, so the demand for residents to request choice alternatives isn't a discussion that is facing our district's school board. Most residents specifically move into the IPSD 204 district due to school performance. Residents desiring private options for their family, have the disposable means to make that decision and the resulting transportation commitment to make those choices for their family a reality. And while choice/voucher system isn't a district topic, the continued need to focus on increasing performance levels of those students who aren't achieving district average, should remain a huge priority for our school board, administration and staff. Our board should continue to expect district staff to uncover, share and implement strategies/tactics that will aid in shrinking achievement gap disparities. Although not specifically related to school choice, the academic gap affects many groups who often seek school vouchers - lower socio economic populations and minority families, as those groups often can't fund private school options on their own. So, yes overall families from these two underserved groups are part of a high performing district, but our achievement gap percentages see these 2 groups disproportionately affected in our community. The school board must continue to support administrative and staff efforts to rectify this gap, because as the gap shrinks, our entire district is elevated.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Two other areas that stand of paramount importance for me as I seek a position on the IPSD 204 Board are reducing the Achievement Gap disparity and ensuring our district is an active participant in determining state implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).Our district is beginning to implement creative ways to elevate students performing below the district standardized testing average. Reducing the achievement gap by raising, lower performing student's achievement, will not only result in a positive difference in their attainment, but will also positively affect our district's overall state performance level. Achievement gap reduction is important for struggling students and their families, but it can be an auspicious contributor to our overall district success as well. The second area that is important to me as a candidate is the desire for IPSD 204 to continue to play an active role in the 2017-2018 roll out of the ESSA within Illinois. Certainly there may be changes with a new administration, but whatever is designed for implementation, it will be extremely beneficial for our district leadership to be a key agent in the development of the new policy. These new initiatives will impact our children, staff and communities for some time, and as our voice can be integral to development, we should take an active part from the community, school board, administration and staff stakeholder positions.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Gabby GiffordsWhat is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?My parents would always support me, even when I struggled.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?My do-over would encompass obtaining a dual JD/M.B.A, to work legally on behalf of social justice for children.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?Advanced Chemistry - Loved it, but challenging. Hard work always pays off is lesson learned.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?If you always tell the truth, you never have to remember what you said.