Carolina Y. Sales: 2023 candidate for Park Ridge-Niles District 64 School Board, 4-year term

Bio

Town: Park Ridge

Age on Election Day: 43

Occupation: Attorney

Employer: Bauch & Michaels, LLC

Previous offices held: CCSD 64 board member (secretary for first two years and vice president for second two years of term).

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'm running for reelection for the same reasons I originally ran for office: as a longtime Park Ridge resident and parent, I'm concerned about the education and well-being of our students and the financial health of the district. The improvement of interventions for general education students and the continued repair of special education particularly motivate me. These issues have been a subject of concern for several years in the district. I joined the student services action plan committee so that I can be a part of the process of developing goals for the student services team not only as a board member but also as a committee member. In addition, I'm running again to facilitate the district's completion of its ongoing strategic plan goals.

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

A: The board evaluates the curriculum that's recommended by the district's administrators, adopts it, and reviews any suggested changes. The board's role is not to micromanage teachers. It's responsible for promoting and fostering educational opportunities, including exposure to the arts, literature and music. By approving the current strategic plan, the board also showed its commitment to improving curriculum with the goal of increased achievement.

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

A: Parents have expressed concerns about the half day kindergarten curriculum since the implementation of full day kindergarten (and the district's encouragement of student enrollment in the full day program). The district should work toward providing equal access to educational opportunities, with the eventual goal of free full day kindergarten within a balance budget. Parents have also voiced concerns with the reading curriculum, which should continue to be a particular focus because it affects all aspects of a student's education and ultimate success in life. Furthermore, in connection with the strategic plan goal of broadening best practices, the district is completing various curriculum reviews. Last April the board approved new math materials for kindergarten through fifth grade. The review of best practices in math instruction warrants attention from the board so that we ensure our students are receiving rigorous instruction.

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: Our role is to listen: While we are required to comply with applicable state laws, we must of course hear all reasonable views. School board members are elected to leadership roles and are often required to make unpopular decisions. We hold nonpartisan positions in which we represent all constituents, including those with whom we disagree.

Q: Indecisiveness on the board held up decisions on important projects, including all-day kindergarten and building expansions? What would you do to end those logjams and delays and to get the board making the decisions it needs to make in timely fashion?

A: I would ensure that the board is receiving the information it needs to make a well-reasoned decision. The approval of full day kindergarten and related construction projects involved multiple overlapping steps. The board needs to be provided with better, accurate information to make informed decisions with the ability to change course if necessary.

Q: The community and board have been at odds about COVID policies, especially masking. If the pandemic worsens, those rules could return. Did you support the state-mandated orders that students should be masked on campus and practice social distancing? Why or why not?

A: I supported the state mandates on masking and social distancing when the district was required to follow them because I prioritize the safety of the students and staff. When the district was no longer required to do so, I was in favor of lifting those restrictions. Thus, where there was discretion, the board listened to all sides and made the best decisions based on the information available at that time.

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: The district has to keep up with technology so that our students aren't at a disadvantage. We have to be prepared for pandemics and focus on health and safety. We also have to make sure that as a district we're open to change and that practices are in place to act quickly in the best interests of the students.

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: I served on the board's policy committee for two years. The committee worked collaboratively with the administration to revise policies and present them to the board as a whole for discussion and approval. My style as a board member is to evaluate all of the information, remain open minded, and seek to make the best, informed decision for our stakeholders. I know that negotiations involve changing perspective and yielding when necessary. As a lawyer I have been working collaboratively with people throughout my career, very often in stressful situations, to reach a common goal.

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

A: I'm concerned about the needs of all constituents and have demonstrated that I'm consistently willing to do the work. For the first two years of my term, I was the board secretary and a member of the policy committee. I was involved in successful union contract negotiations as a board representative, which also helped me learn about the parties' needs from a new perspective. I currently serve as the board's vice president and am a member of the district's student services action plan committee. I have attended IASB conferences, kept apprised of new developments, and consistently receive and seek feedback from parents in the community. My education and experience have taught me to listen, evaluate information, and take action not based on friendships or personal relationships. I think it's important to be independent yet collaborative.

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

A: The board can strive to become better informed through administration so that we can make decisions in the best interests of the district stakeholders. This includes long-term projections, cost estimates, and immediate updates when circumstances change.