Stephen G. Buchs: 2023 candidate for Huntley Unit District 158 school board, 4-year term

Bio

Town: Huntley

Age on Election Day: 45

Occupation: Director of Curriculum 6-16

Employer: Central Unit District 301

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 not running with an agenda because I do not believe that board members should have personal agendas other than performing their civic responsibility to continue to improve the public education that meets the needs of all students. The only issue that motivates me is that I see that there is a lack of current knowledge of daily operations on the school board. The board of education does have experience as board members but that is different than living the daily experience of public education.

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

A: The board of education must approve and monitor the outcomes of the curriculum in place. The board of education is the overarching last line of accountability. The district must have systems in place to more frequently monitor and report progress accurately. The board must provide transparency to the community of what curriculum is being taught when and at which grade level. The board must make sure that the approved curriculum is not only approved but offered to students. The curriculum must match the various needs of the student population.

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

A: During the district's last strategic planning process, it became very clear that both students and parents in the community do not have equal respect for the vast career opportunities that make up society. It is important that the curriculum in District 158 not only matches career opportunities but also embraces a school environment that cultivates genuine respect for individual career goals.

We as a community must stay grounded in the fact that future careers are developing faster and faster complicating the idea that public school is going to prepare students for a specific job but rather develop critical skills like problem solving, teamwork, communication, world awareness, lifelong learning and technological skills just to name a few. Curriculum cannot become the high pressure, high stress, and anxiety environments that turn students off.

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: My tenure working in education has provided me with a front roll seat to confronting controversies surrounding policy and curriculum. The important part of this is understanding the role of the board of education and who they are accountable too. There is no issue that is support 100% but it is important to accurately find out what the community wants even during controversial topics. I need to stand firm to what the community wants even if it is not in alignment with my personal view.

One area that is important to recognize is the state authority and make sure that a clear message is communicated to the community about legislation that is passed because voters have a right to voice their opinions at the state level as well. School boards have a responsibility to maintain local control within the laws.

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 first thing is to support the students and community members during what is an emotional and scary time. Decisions must be made based on fact and fear cannot drive those decisions. We must recognize that the time out of the classroom had major impacts on learning. It is important that every step is taken to keep students in the classroom environment. We must understand that more clarity is needed to keep learning moving forward and focus on what is best for students. It is just as important to recognize the limitations that parents had when remote learning was happening.

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 am both a listener and a questioner. I think that it is important to role play different views or perspectives even if they are not my own to really get to the depth needed for the thought process when developing policy. It is also good practice to compare policy against other similar organizations. I believe that some conflict during the development of policy is needed because there are so many views to be represented.

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

A: I am a person that has a lot of experience in education but that is not what makes me the best candidate. The fact that I do not have all the answers and I am willing to admit that makes me the best candidate. I am a person that believes strongly in lifelong learning. I will continue to practice that fact when I represent the community. My strong moral and ethical beliefs in combination with my working knowledge of public school systems provides me the additional understanding to enhance decision-making related to the board of education.

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

A: Universal accountability of all would be one area to start in. Lots of people want to talk about funding, minutes of instruction, or the development of the next best thing but in the end everything comes back to accountability. It should be the practice of the district to focus on what graduates walk across the stage being able to actually do. The skills that students have developed, refined, or experiences that have shaped the minds of young adults should be in the forefront of everyday decisions. This is a big task as it starts at the beginning of students educational story and continues past the day they graduate as proud 158 students.