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Kevin Nickell: 2021 candidate for Wheaton Warrenville District 200 school board

Ten candidates are vying for four, 4-year terms on the Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 school board in the April 6, 2021, election.

Bio

City: Wheaton

Age: 48

Occupation: Consultant, Business Owner

Civic involvement: None yet

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 have found myself invested in my children's experience to the point I would like to be part of the governance making this district excellent. It is both my desire and my duty to serve. I want to see my kids in school, full time, five days a week.

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

A. I believe the existing board is lacking bravery and have simply said yes to everything administration has presented, as opposed to providing a challenge or demanding a timeline.

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. School board members job is advisory and approval. I will advise that a plan to have kids full time in school needs to be presented, and any plan not putting kids who want to be in school, taught by teachers who want to be in school, will receive a "No" vote from me.

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. It did not adequately serve students. Communication was poor. Plans were poorly conveyed. Kids should be in school.

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. I will not be voted in by spring. Since swearing in will be so late in the school year, we will have very little effect on the end-of-year plans. We start planning for the fall.

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

A. Let them play.

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