What motivated the candidates in Dist. 62 to run
The candidates running for the Des Plaines Elementary School District 62 board have diverse reasons for running.
Five candidates are seeking three seats on the board: incumbents Tina Garrett, Elizabeth Massa and Beth Morley and challengers Gene Haring and Patrick Maag.
The candidates spoke about their political motivations and other issues in questionnaires for the Daily Herald and - except for Maag - a joint online interview.
Garrett, an insurance agent who's been on the board since 2017, said she originally ran to improve student access to early intervention services and accelerated curriculum opportunities.
In the joint interview, Garrett accused district officials of failing students and "falling to marketing and capitalism" by buying into sales pitches for curriculum and programs that don't work. "It's extremely frustrating," she said.
Haring, a marketing professional, said he wants to continue what he called "the excellent work of the current D62 school board." Communication with the community should be a priority, he said, including revamping the district website.
Maag, a teacher in Hinsdale Township High School District 86, said he wanted to bring his educational experience to his home district.
"I have been very involved in the schools where I have worked, but not nearly enough in the district that I live," Maag explained. Inclusivity and equity are important issues for him.
Massa, a stay-at-home parent who was appointed to the board in 2021, said she wants to continue providing safe schools and effective curriculum. Ensuring the staff is well-versed in student educational and social-emotional needs is important to Massa, too.
"My teaching experience is primarily with underrepresented students, and I believe strongly in equity and transparency," she said.
Massa also wants the district to offer full-day kindergarten classes, employ more support staff in classrooms and redesign its website.
Morley, a senior project manager with a health and welfare fund who joined the board in 2015, said there's more work to be done for students, staff and the community.
"The district is looking to the future with a new superintendent and the development of a new strategic plan," Morley said, referring to Michael Amadei's promotion to superintendent last year.
Like Massa, Morley cited implementing a full-day kindergarten program as a priority.