Don Renner: 2023 candidate for Downers Grove High School District 99 board

Bio

Town: Downers Grove

Age on Election Day: 44

Occupation: Attorney

Employer: Klein, Thorpe & Jenkins, Ltd.

Previous offices held: Downers Grove High School District 99 (2015-19)

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: When I learned that three strong leaders on the board of education would not be running for reelection, I felt compelled to run in order to bring continuity and stability to the board.

Given the turmoil that the board has faced over the past couple of years, I think it will be critical to have experienced leaders fill the open board seats, and I know that I would be able to fill that role given my prior board experience, leadership skills, community involvement and professional training.

Ken Dawson, Kara Casten and I have decided to run as a slate in order to bring stability to the board and to serve as a voice for all students. We will be focused on ensuring educational excellence for all students within District 99.

We will work hard to ensure that our administrators and teachers have the resources to provide for a curriculum that gives a voice and representation to all of our students in District 99.

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

A: A high functioning school board is one that hires the best superintendent and administrators, and then provides the appropriate resources for the superintendent and administrators to establish a curriculum that is appropriate for the children of the district.

The board of education's role is then to monitor the progress of that curriculum, to hold the superintendent and administrators accountable for carrying out said curriculum, to ask tough questions, and to ensure that all children in the district are being adequately served and provided for.

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

A: I do not approach the position with any specific issue that must be addressed, nor do I have an agenda about how to change the curriculum at District 99.

That would not be consistent with my view of how a high functioning member of the board of education should proceed.

Instead, once I am a sitting member of the board of education, it will be my duty to educate myself about the current curriculum, pose questions, and hold the superintendent and administrators accountable to meet the needs of all students within District 99.

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: As a member of the board of education, it is my duty to be a voice for all students and members of the community. It is important not to substitute one's own personal judgment and biases to the detriment of others.

That being said, I will always do my best to vote on matters in a way that I believe is right (even when unpopular), with the basis for my decision making being rooted in what is best, not just for my own child, but for all students within District 99.

I certainly will never call for the resignation of other board members, because I disagree with their votes on a matter before the board of education.

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 learned a great deal about how to address a pandemic, and what it means to protect our children and to provide a safe environment for learning. Everyone wants our children to be in person for learning - we all have seen the negative impacts of children having to do remote learning (both with classroom performance, social and emotional learning, and overall mental health).

I think we are still learning how the pandemic impacted education and our children. As long as we can provide for a safe learning environment that does not put our children, teachers, administrators and staff in harm's way, we should do whatever we can to keep our children physically in school.

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: Having previously served on the board of education for District 99, I know what is required to serve effectively. I am very comfortable working in groups.

Although a natural leader, I listen to my fellow board members' positions, work to build consensus and will push to make tough decisions when unanimity is not possible.

I will also accept the majority position and support the same, even when I was not voting within the majority.

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

A: Kara Casten, Ken Dawson and I are the best three candidates for the job. We are trusted community leaders, are running for the right reasons, and have diverse cultural and professional backgrounds that will serve to enrich the board of education. We will be focused on ensuring educational excellence for all students at District 99.

As to my qualifications personally, I am the only candidate that has previously served on the board of education for District 99.

I am the president of the Grove Express Foundation which has organized Downers Grove's Thanksgiving Day 5K race, raising more than $250,000 in the past two years.

I am also treasurer of the Roadrunners Soccer Club and serve on the Village of Downers Grove Historic Preservation and Design Review Board. Finally, professionally, I work with school districts in connection with their property tax defense, budgeting, tax levy and referendum needs.

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

A: When previously serving from 2015-19, I was primarily focused on academic progress within the classroom and the passage of a referendum to carry out District 99's master facility plan. Now that I have a daughter within District 99, I have seen the power and personal growth opportunities that extracurricular activities can provide.

Extracurricular activities can be a great way for students to find ways to fit in at the school district, to make new friends, and to explore their interests and discover more about themselves.

As a member of the board of education, I will pay particular attention to ensure that District 99 is working hard to expand upon and grow the total participation of students in extracurricular programming. I will work hard to ensure that enough resources are available to foster a vibrant culture that encourages, advocates for and provides extracurricular programming for all students within District 99.