Vasilios Soupos: 2023 Candidate for Glenview Community Consolidated School District 34 school board

Bio

Town: Glenview

Age on Election Day: 45

Occupation: Director of compliance engineering

Employer: Instant Brands

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 have two young children currently in D34. I want to lend my expertise and support to the school district to promote the best learning experience for Glenview D34 students as well as to ensure that D34 taxpayer money is put to use in the most efficient and productive way.

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

A: The board's role is to set the direction and vision for the curriculum by advocating the priorities of the greater community. The board then delegates this authority to the administration that is responsible for the curriculum's implementation including the selection of particular books and teaching tools. The board is also responsible for monitoring the progress of this implementation by ongoing communication with both the administration and the voice of the community.

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

A: As my children are still in kindergarten and second grade, there are no curriculum issues that I am aware of.

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: Every constituent has a right to his or her opinion on any issue that has an impact to either the constituent's child development in the school system or the efficient use of taxpayer money. As such, my role will be to listen and understand all opinions surrounding a controversy but make the best decision possible that is aligned with my values as both a parent and a Glenview taxpayer.

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: My decision would be to adhere to the CDC guideline recommendations.

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 experience in industry boards in my line of work including being the chair of the ASTM F26 Committee on Foodservice Equipment. In any negotiation, I avoid trying to convince the opposing party that my position is correct over theirs. I do not fight for my position. Instead, I try to inform what my interests are, listen to their interests and try to find common ground. It is often more important to find out "why" a person wants something instead of "what" they want. After this, a decision and action plan can be made that represent the best possible compromise between interests.

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

A: I am an analytical and logical person that strives to do what is moral and right. To quote a former professor of mine: "You do what is right because it is the right thing to do." I live by this adage. I am not afraid to challenge the status quo if the status quo does not make sense.

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

A: In this modern globalized world that we live in today, I would like to see more language programs being introduced at an earlier age.