Rajesh Narayan: 2021 candidate for Indian Prairie District 204 board
Challenger Rajesh Narayan, one of 11 candidates running for four, 4-year terms in Indian Prairie Unit District 204, responds to the Daily Herald candidate questionnaire for the April 6, 2021, local election.
The candidates are: incumbents Laurie Donahue of Naperville and Susan Taylor-Demming of Naperville; and challengers Shannon Adcock of Naperville, Allison Fosdick of Naperville, Saba Haider of Aurora, Robert O. Harris of Naperville, Supna C. Jain of Naperville, Marina Kosak of Naperville, Yanmei May Liang of Naperville, Rajesh Narayan of Naperville, and Kader Sakkaria of Naperville.
In-person early voting with paper ballots is now available 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/.
For more election coverage, visit dailyherald.com.
Bio
City: Naperville
Age: 47
Occupation: Entrepreneur, founded and runs an IT company
Civic involvement: Board member at FIA (Federation of Indian Association), Founder and Vice President at IACA (Indian American Cultural Association), Organized Charity events through FIA and IACA
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 lived in Naperville for 13 years, since 2007. I run a local business, IT consulting. I have Bachelors and Master's degree in Economics. I have a daughter who goes to Scullen Middle School. She has been my inspiration to run for the school board. I have been socially active in the community. I am on the board of the Federation of Indian Association.
Three years ago, my wife and I, along with a few like-minded friends, founded the Indian American Culture Association. We have carried several charity events during COVID-19 through FIA and IACA. I am passionate about education and closely involved with it for 15 years. I can use my unique set of skills and experience of running a business and economics/finance background in the school board to contribute positively.
Q: How would you grade the current school board on its response to the pandemic? Why?
A: Pandemic has been extremely challenging for all of us. It's an unprecedented event that none of us faced before. Our kids are getting suboptimal education and it has had profound effects on their mental and physical health. It has also led to much hardship on parents. Teachers are also rightly concerned about their safety. I have attended school board meetings and heard the arguments from both the sides.
Everybody is right from their perspectives. There are no easy answers. I believe hybrid opening is the balanced ground where we can have a win-win situation for all.
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: As a board member, I am here to listen to all the constituency. I am here to listen to concerns and resolve it. The biggest stake in any school system are the kids. We need to prioritize the needs and welfare of the kids first. I would take a stand that considers kids first.
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: The district adopted the remote learning to cater to students. There was an initial panic during early 2020 when we did not have lot of information. Today we have a lot more information and we have the vaccine. The population is getting vaccinated at a fast rate. The district needs to adapt to the new situation and provide a hybrid opening solution.
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: We have CDC guidelines to open schools effectively. I would follow those guidelines - masks, frequent hand washing, maintain distance between students. These measures should help us in safely opening the school.
Q: What is your position on allowing high school sports to continue during the pandemic? Be specific.
A: Sports is very essential part of education. My own daughter is in volleyball team and she was unable to play last year. I am of the view that if we follow CDC guidelines, we can make playing sports safer too. Granted that the game performance may not be the same when wearing masks, but at least they will get to play and practice. It will also give students the choice of playing or not playing.