Joshua R. Payton: 2023 candidate for Carol Stream Elementary District 93 board, 4-year term

Bio

Town: Carol Stream

Age on Election Day: 40

Occupation: Teacher

Employer: Fenton High School

Previous offices held: None

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?

A: I am running for school board because I am passionate about education and doing what is best for kids. I think that public service is an important component of a community. My experience as an educator, parent and community member puts me in a strong position to represent all stakeholders in District 93.

Q: What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring curriculum?

A: A school board is responsible for ensuring that curriculum meets all criteria for being effective for the student population. They do not directly evaluate the presented curriculum but they ensure that the administration of the district has considered all relevant information when making curricular decisions.

Asking questions and supporting equity as well as responsibility is a critical task. As a school board member that task should not be taken lightly, you are there for all community members.

Q: Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board?

A: Curriculum is constantly evolving and so is student need. The school board should help to ensure that every opportunity to reflect, assess and update curriculum is taken to ensure the best experience for the students in our schools.

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

A: It should be everyone's goal to gain understanding and insight. The truth is that what makes us different is what makes us great.

Acknowledging that there are different views, needs and expectations and working toward solutions that meet the needs of the student population is at the forefront. At the end of the day we should all be doing this work for kids and if we are finding solutions should be a task that we can accomplish. That defines my role as a school board member, working as a representative of the community who is responsible for keeping our diverse needs as a point of reference in all tasks.

Q: Concerns are growing regarding a new resurgence of the pandemic. If another massive outbreak of infectious disease occurs, what have we learned from the COVID-19 pandemic that will guide your decision making?

A: We have learned that we are resilient as people and we can rise above difficult situations. There is a lot of information available to guide common-sense decisions. There has also been tremendous work done to help student meet success in person and remote. At the end of the day we need to be able to meet our students needs, however we accomplish that it is what must be done.

Q: Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions of your school board.

A: As someone who works in education, working in groups is something that occurs daily. Those groups often represent multiple stakeholders and compromise, understanding and at times reshaping my own thinking is how you get the job done.

The school board must do that regularly, work with multiple stakeholders to complete their work and make effective choices. My experience transfers directly in that regard.

Q: What makes you the best candidate for the job?

A: I am a logical, open minded and caring individual. I have dedicated my life to education and working with students. The school board is an opportunity to further the work I find so very important and serve the community that my family is a part of.

Q: What's one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?

A: Districts with diverse populations can benefit greatly from evaluating the level of equity they currently have. As part of the district's ongoing improvement, an equity audit should be conducted to determine where 93 is and where it should be moving.