Jason Janczak: 2023 Candidate for Cary District 26 School Board

Bio

Town: Cary

Age on Election Day: 45

Occupation: Social Studies Department Chair

Employer: Grayslake High School District #127

Previous offices held: Cary School District 26 School Board Member 2019-2023

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 ran in 2019 because I saw Cary 26 emerging from the financial crisis and, I was ready to tackle some tough issues like teacher recruitment and retention, the improvement of our curriculum, and the continued professional development and support of our teachers. Unfortunately shortly after we took office, COVID struck and many of those plans were put on hold as the Board and the district navigated through this unprecedented time. I'm running again because I believe we need to return to continuing to grow our district to that next level that we sought out to achieve in 2019. With a new superintendent coming in and a new strategic plan being developed it is imperative for the success of the district that School Board members keep the students' best interests at heart while being a respectful steward of taxpayer dollars in bringing our district to the next level. I firmly believe I am the right candidate to help Cary 26 achieve excellence for our students, and our community.

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

A: Initially, we need to let our curriculum experts in the district do their job and review the various curriculums that are out there to use. As part of their review process they should get the input from the teachers who would be using the curriculum and then report back to the Board their findings and recommendations for which curriculum we should move forward. Once that recommendation from the experts is brought to us it is our job to review it and to listen to an act upon/investigate further (if necessary) any community concerns over the curriculum.

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

A: We have made leaps and bounds with our STEM curriculum, but we need to continue to grow it. Currently we have several Project Lead the Way units in place for our K-5 buildings and I would like to see that expanded to a full year's worth of Project Lead the Way curriculum in our STEM courses. Additionally, we are finding that we need additional support both from a personnel and curriculum perspective for our Special Education programs. Students are coming to school with more and more exceptional needs and our teachers working with the students need additional support in making sure all students are able to excel.

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 approach every situation with an open mind and listen to all sides. Given the complexities of the school system there are numerous stakeholders whose opinions must be heard and taken into consideration. I want to hear from teachers, parents, students, community members, and administration so I can best understand all sides of a particular controversy. From there I need to make a decision that centers around the students well-being and growth and then explain that decision transparently to the public. Stakeholders may not always agree with my decision or my thoughts, but they deserve to know why I decided the way I did and I would be happy to speak with them about my "why" in regards to that decision.

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: First and foremost, we need to make sure we do everything we can to keep our students in school and do so in a manner that is safe to them and all the educators in their buildings. Remote learning needs to be the absolute last option should a resurgence happen again. I am incredibly proud of the work that the Board, the administration, the teachers and students did to keep our schools open and safe last year. In the 2021- 2022 school year, not a single classroom, grade level, or building was forced to go to remote learning due to an outbreak - even throughout all the surges - in Cary District 26. That is a testament to our teachers and administration finding ways to keep students safe and learning in their buildings and to our parents and students for supporting the safe environment the district created at our schools.

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 4 years on the Board has already given me plenty of experience in having discussions to determine policy. I look to be a consensus builder on the Board should there be disagreements among us. Additionally, my 22 years of experience as a classroom teacher and administrator allow me to bring the perspective of identifying the impacts of a particular policy on our classrooms to the table as we discern the policy. Given that insight from the classroom, the Board can make a better informed decision as to which direction they would like to go.

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

A: I am a dad, a taxpayer in the district, and an educator by trade. I want what is best for my children, their friends, and all the other students in our district, while making sure the district remains in solid financial shape and are good stewards of taxpayer monies. We have exciting things happening in Cary 26 - a new superintendent and a new strategic plan to be developed setting the course for the next chapter in Cary 26. That being said, there are also challenges on the horizon, a looming teacher shortage, the possibility of a large TIF district being set up in Cary, and politically motivated groups setting out to undermine the great things our teachers and students are doing in Cary District 26 and around the state. I am the best candidate because through the excitement and challenges that we will be facing in the coming years, I have proven in my past 4 years that I always keep our students best interests and growth at the forefront of everything I do on the Board.

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

A: The teacher shortage is looming, and when it comes to recruiting and retaining teachers I would like to see Cary District 26 and D155 form a partnership that allows for D155 students who are interested in becoming teachers to intern with Cary District 26 teachers 1-2 days a week. The Career Pathways curriculum is growing in D155, and I think a partnership with them allowing interns into our schools will not only help grow the number of students who are interested in becoming teachers, but also grow the number of applicants Cary District 26 would see in the future. I would encourage the districts (both 26 and 155) to follow the model that District 214 is currently using for the teaching intern partnership.