Kathy Goerges: 2023 candidate for Crystal Lake High School District 155 board

Bio

Town: Cary

Age on Election Day: 55

Occupation: Pharmacist-Clinical Advisor for over 30 years

Employer: No answer given

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: This is my first time running for school board. I feel compelled to stand up and protect the children in our community. I could simply look the other way and not step out of my comfort zone, but this is the community where my family and people I care about live so I am taking the leap.

Children are a precious gift of God and we as a community have the privilege and responsibility to care for them, protect them and value them. I hope to be able to represent and be an advocate and voice for teachers, students, parents, and community.

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

A: Being elected representatives by the community, it is the responsibility of the school board to be familiar with the curriculum and engage in discussions with teachers to monitor for effectiveness. Additionally, it is important to be engaged with the criteria in selecting the vendor of the curriculum.

Access to the curriculum should be made readily available to parents. Having transparent and open discussions with teachers and parents is essential.

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

A: Parents and community members have expressed a variety of concerns regarding policies being implemented with very little transparency. I think the board need not be a rubber stamp for the administrative policies. Parent's concerns and rights need to be considered. Policies shouldn't be more important than education

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: A school board member should be engaged in evaluation of any concerns that need to be addressed regarding policy and/or curriculum. And constituents on both sides of an issue should be heard respectfully.

Unfortunately today, policy seems to be the driver of the curriculum. The school district's responsibility is for children at all education levels to be immersed in skill sets and academic knowledge. This is important so when they become adults they can have the opportunity to be economically independent and better prepared to take on life's challenges. Some children for example may choose a trade, skilled career or higher education. Regardless of their career or life path, having a strong academic foundation of core studies is critical for every child.

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 that lockdowns were not necessary and responsible for the detrimental consequences not only to academic achievement but also to mental health and overall well-being. It was an experiment on society that had and will have lasting consequences at the expense of our children. There were and are numerous studies and statistics validating children were rarely negatively impacted by COVID-19 virus nor were they "super spreaders."

As a pharmacist I was passionate about educating myself on the virus as well as the vaccine. I attended District 155 school board meetings and advocated for District 155 to reopen and have masks removed. I also advocated for the removal of restrictions placed on children who were not vaccinated.

If there is another resurgence of COVID-19 or another emerging infection, the negative proven consequences of lockdowns and masking would need to outweigh any potential measurable positive outcome to control disease.

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 believe in cultivating positive relationships and having respectful conversations even when having opposing views. To assist in the success of the school district, I would seek opinions and perspectives across the board, which includes input not only from administration but also teachers, parents, community and the school board. Additionally, I think it would be important to network with other individual schools both public and private or school districts to share in best practices.

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

A: As a pharmacist I have the passion and desire to help people and enjoy working in a team environment to work toward enhancements, process improvements and sustaining solutions. I have fought on behalf of the well-being of the children during the pandemic to encourage reopening and removal of masks. A driving force behind my decision to run for D155 school board position is the opportunity to have a positive impact on the lives of the children in our community not just for the present but also the future.

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

A: I am sure there are many good ideas that are being generated. One idea I would like to propose is to have the district reach out to the community and recruit for example retired schoolteachers, engineers, scientists, historians, artists to volunteer as tutors. If a fee is needed, could look to negotiating a discounted rate. Children have fallen behind academically and I think involving the community would be advantageous.