Kermit Eby: 2021 candidate for Glenbard High School District 87

Eight candidates are squaring off for four, 4-year seats on the Glenbard High School District 87 board in the April 6 election. They are newcomers Kermit Eby of Lombard, Cyndi Covelli of Lombard, Nicole Dawson of Glen Ellyn, David Dejanovich of Glen Ellyn, and incumbents Robert (Bob) Friend of Lombard, Jennifer M. Jendras of Glen Ellyn, Mireya Vera of Lombard, and Judith Weinstock of Glen Ellyn.

They responded to a Daily Herald questionnaire seeking their thoughts on some of the most pressing issues facing the district.

Below are Eby's responses.

In-person early voting with paper ballots begins Feb. 25 at DuPage County Fairgrounds Building 5, 2015 Manchester Road, Wheaton. In-person early voting with touch-screen voting begins March 22 at locations throughout the county. Learn more at www.dupageco.org/earlyvoting/.

Eight candidates for four, 4-year terms

Bio

Town: Lombard

Age: 64

Occupation: Retired as public school teacher in 2017 after 37 years of service, 33 at Naperville North High School. Adjunct faculty North Central College Social Studies Methods instructor; Wheaton College Education Dept., Social Studies Student Teacher Supervisor; University of Illinois at Chicago, Social Studies Student Teacher Supervisor and Ph.D. candidate; Substitute teacher, District 99 and District 203

Civic involvement: DuPage County election judge; People's Resource Center, food bank volunteer; Prairie Food Coop; PADS; youth soccer; Lombard Mennonite Church Social Justice Group

Q&A

Q: Why are you running for this office, whether for reelection or election the first time? Is there a particular issue that motivates you, and if so, what is it?

A: As a proud District 87 parent, I want to help provide a safe and effective learning environment for every student in the district. I've spent my life in education, and I'm excited about the chance to continue that work as a school board member. I will advocate for fiscal conservatism at home and to maintain progress in hopes of finding a moderate alternative to extremism. I will uphold responsible citizenship, combined with a curriculum of inclusion that balances the reality of our historical past with a vision centered on restorative justice.

Q: How would you grade the current school board on its response to the pandemic? Why?

A: (There is always room for improvement.) Our Glenbard school administrative leadership team has responded and acted responsibly in the midst of a national epidemic. Without direction from a federal agency (13,000 school districts, 13,000 plans!), District 87 proceeded cautiously with innovative approaches, when a moderate, responsible, and deliberative process was essential. Although remote learning has proved challenging, teachers have responded with innovation and creativity. I am speaking as a parent now, many students struggle in this environment and long for "normalcy." Our schools are central to recovery, so I am gratified that our district proceeded with reopening safely under the guidance of scientific and medical mediation.

Q: How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents - even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state authorities?

A: By listening carefully, being empathetic to all community concerns, and responding with respect and factual information. We must prioritize and balance the needs of students first. Since our schools are connected to our communities by families, technology, out-of-school programs, employers, business, health care providers, social service agencies, and community institutions, we are a central hub of communication. School board members of Glenbard represent 80,000 residents, nearly 10,000 students and their parents, over 2000 employees, including over 500 teachers, and even more graduates and future students. As a retired teacher I understand the need to be clear, concise, and fair. As a board member, I hope to apply the lessons learned as a parent, educator, and citizen.

Q: Did your district continue to adequately serve students during the disruptions caused by the pandemic? If so, please cite an example of how it successfully adjusted to continue providing services. If not, please cite a specific example of what could have been done better.

A: Teachers and students are working under unparalleled conditions and their adaptation to new sources of learning has been admirable, innovative, and stressful. From remote learning, hybrid scheduling and safely reopening our facilities administrative leaders prioritized safety first. From competitive sports to extracurricular activity, our high school leadership teams have worked with regional school committees and government agencies in accordance with health protocols. I have been so impressed with the outreach and opportunities our district has provided for all students; for economically challenged, marginalized and privileged students. There have been countless examples of compassion, flexibility, and true resilience from educators and among the vast majority of our community.

Q: Do you have a plan on how to safely and effectively conduct classes in the spring? What have you learned from the fall semester that you would change in the spring?

A: If it's safe, let's get kids back in the classroom. If it's not safe, let's continue to innovate. The learning curve for our teachers and administrators in response to mitigating the Coronavirus pandemic was sharp. Our schools responded with great care and moderation in 2020 to fall semester lessons. A hybrid remote learning alternative, modified block schedule, alternating attendance days, saliva testing, the practical scientific evidence that require mandatory mask wearing, crowd control, and social distancing were applied. The costs were also closely regulated when the district spent $2.5 million originally for mitigation of the coronavirus. The actual cost for saliva testing, PPE Thermal Scanners for spring and summer school have received $713K was covered by CARES Act grant. If they have erred, it was to have proceeded with caution, which was the wiser path.

Q: What is your position on allowing high school sports to continue during the pandemic? Be specific.

A: Sound body, sound mind. I want our children to be active as soon as it's safe. Allowing sports with a continued commitment to safe playing conditions, even after our students are vaccinated, is essential to our communities recovery and safety. Returning to a "pre-pandemic normal" too quickly would be like playing football without a helmet, soccer without shin guards, or gymnastics without a spotter. Our coaches, music and theater directors have all worked with regional and state organizations to cooperatively schedule, prepare, and restart active competitive interscholastic sports, while allowing limited crowds at events. This cooperative model is a valued quality of all high school extracurricular activities and sport. Glenbard schools have adapted exceptionally well under tremendous pressure and challenges.