LeJewel Crigler: 2021 candidate for Elgin Area School District U-46
Four candidates are running for three, 4-year terms on the Elgin Area School District U-46 board.
Bio
City: Elgin
Age: 55
Occupation: Domestic engineer
Civic involvement: Various civil rights and political organizations; volunteer for Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois
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. I believe there needs to be more diversity on the school board. Well meaning, in not just race, but unique backgrounds. I've had one child that completed school here in U-46, my other, as a family we chose to home-school her.
I've seen how a child can thrive, when the atmosphere allows for all doors of opportunity to be open. I want as many children as possible to experience what my daughter has. This is what motivates, and gives me hope that regardless of all of the adjustments that we have all had to make; there's no greater time than now to go full speed ahead in putting measures in place to ensure such successful outcomes.
Q. How would you grade the current school board on its response to the pandemic? Why?
A. It's a non-arguable fact that pandemic took a toll on everyone. For the American people specifically, this was something totally out of the ordinary. For the most part, I believe that all school districts, as well as ours, have been doing their best to keep everyone safe. What it showed me is that more so now than ever before, how important each person is. How collectively we all came together as one people, the American people, and helped each other.
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. I received many inquiries regarding home-school, also requests for supplemental materials to better assist the children and their families. This led me to put on workshops to provide such materials. Remembering my mantra, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade, lemon cake, etc.” Some of the best things are borne out of challenges.
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. Speaking with quite a few parents, as well as the children. There were frustrations with the district's computer program that was being used. In this age that we're in, some of these problems can be expected. Though this was such a large scale operation that needed to be done, in such a short period of time. I believe we all know more than a few adjustments will be needed further down the line. Not to be ready for another pandemic, but procedures and programs implemented that would be fine tuned and established. Making issues like this void.
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. Currently the US is taking most direction from the CDC. With the push for teachers to be vaccinated. All is slowly on course to get everyone safely back into the schools on a weekly basis. If we stay the course, I believe for the most part, life will then start to seem normal.
Q. What is your position on allowing high school sports to continue during the pandemic? Be specific.
A. As long as all precautions were taken, and the students' parents were in agreement. I agreed.