Emily Smith: 2023 Candidate for District 47 School Board (4-year term)

Bio

Town: Lake in the Hills

Age on Election Day: 39

Occupation: Commercial Realtor

Employer: Berkshire Hathaway Starck Real Estate

Previous offices held:

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 as an incumbent in hopes to continue working towards D47 mission Empowering All Students. I am motivated by the desire to invest in the community I call home and our youth is my number one priority.

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

A: The board of education focuses on the overall direction of the district and not the daily operations. The board's main role is the governance of the organization through policy. The board employs educators to serve in a variety of roles in the district from the classroom to the administration. The administration is responsible for the daily operation of the district and ensuring that procedures are developed in accordance with policy. In regards to curriculum, it is the administration's responsibility to ensure that all elements and/or components required by law are incorporated into the curriculum and, most importantly, students are learning. Any curriculum adoptions come to the Board as recommendations from the administration based on a thorough process of research based instructional practices and resources to support student learning. As a board member, I would have a vote on curriculum adoption recommendations presented to the board by administration.

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

A: I am confident and comfortable with the process that the district uses for curriculum review and adoption at the present time. In addition, I feel the district understands the learning gaps that exist from the pandemic and is working hard to provide interventions and supports to close the gaps.

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: I believe in making sound, rational, and well-informed decisions based on facts. Many of the policy and curriculum controversies I have seen in recent years have sparked from proposed and/or actual legislation, which has been out of the control of the local school board. School boards are able to create policy at the local level; however, all policies must follow the law.

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 will continue to be challenged with new and unique situations. The more we can support our kids socially and emotionally, the more they will be able to thrive and adapt.

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 have had the opportunity to learn from experience as a member of the school board the last several years. I take responsibility to research policy and issues as they arise and to reach out to all parties to guide in formulating my opinion and objective in the decision making process.

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

A: There is not one best candidate for the job. Seven members with different knowledge, perspectives and backgrounds provides a well rounded board. I know I can be a productive member as someone who can listen to several perspectives on one subject and work to find the best solution with the kids best interest as the number one goal.

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

A: I will not claim to have an idea no one else has thought of in our district. Thankfully education of our youth is a priority of the large majority of the population. With that being said, our community as a whole could benefit to recognize our educators' working environment is our children's learning environment. I will strive to support our teachers in a way they can better be able to focus on teaching.