The Wednesday Journal sent questionnaires to each person running for public office in 2025. The Journal’s questions are in bold and the candidate’s responses are below.
Last summer, Wednesday Journal reported on a demonstration by district parents and teachers expressing concerns over student safety and behavioral policy. What do you make of D97’s behavioral policies?
We have appropriate policies in place designed to ensure the safety of both students and staff along with the D97 Student Behavior Expectations. We will continue to follow these policies and guidelines. Student fights and disruptions during the school day are often linked to a need for additional social and emotional support, as well as the development of self-regulation strategies that work best for each individual. Concerns about safety and fighting are most prominent at the middle schools, where students face significant developmental challenges, both physically and psychologically. Our staff and leadership have placed greater emphasis on regular student check-ins, de-escalation techniques, and fostering meaningful connections with all students to increase their sense of belonging and encourage better decision-making. This school year, we have seen a reduction in behaviors that compromise school safety. Every student deserves a “soft landing”—a calming place, person, or activity that supports self-regulation and promotes a greater sense of belonging. We also have additional resources available to students and families from our community partners. While there will always be opportunities for improvement, we have witnessed significant progress in safety and behavior this year.
What do you see as some of the biggest challenges facing elementary and middle school students in our post-pandemic world? How would you work to support D97 students?
Thankfully, the challenges D97 faces in a post-pandemic world are typical of any school district. While the pandemic has forever changed us, our students are navigating the usual student experiences similar to any of our peer school districts. I am committed to supporting our students’ individual success, our staff’s professional development, and ensuring we have the resources needed to exceed state standards and improve both our test scores and sense of belonging. We strive to attract and retain top talent within our district, fostering a supportive environment that encourages innovation and demonstrates a clear commitment to equity and excellence. Post-pandemic, we are nearly back to where we were before, both as a school district and as a community.
Is there any program or resource you’ve seen implemented in another school district that you think D97 students and families would really benefit from? How would it fill an existing gap?
Our district leadership stays well-informed about advances in education and actively seeks ways to meet the needs of our students. We also benefit from a knowledgeable and vocal community that shares information about programs from across the country they would like to see implemented in D97. Additionally, our administration and teachers are aware of areas that need improvement and consistently seek ways to accelerate learning and boost outcomes for all students, particularly our Black and Brown students, who have faced a persistent opportunity gap for the past 40 years. While we are not there yet, improving outcomes and experiences for Black and Brown along with our special needs students remains a top priority for the district. As a board member, though I am not an educator, I focus on ensuring progress in these areas and hold our administration accountable for doing more.
What does equity in education mean to you? How would you advocate for it if elected?
I am a strong advocate for equity, and before being elected to the school board, I collaborated with many community members on the development of our current equity policy. Equity means ensuring that every D97 student, regardless of background, has access to the right resources and support to succeed and reach their full potential. It involves addressing and removing barriers that disproportionately affect our marginalized and underserved students. D97 is committed to equity, and we approach our actions and programs through an equity lens. As a board member, I will continue the hard work of our equity champions.
With a new presidential administration has come sweeping federal changes affecting public schools. How would you look to guide the district in this new climate?
I am genuinely concerned about the changes coming from the current administration, especially since many services and resources for our Title I designated schools are provided by the Department of Education. Thankfully, most of our school funding comes from state and local taxes. However, I do not want to place an additional burden on Oak Park taxpayers to make up for any shortfalls caused by changes to federal funding under the Trump administration. Our public schools must be properly funded to meet high standards and offer a culturally relevant curriculum. One potential solution could be developing a “D97 Foundation for Education” to secure funding that is not typically pursued by school districts. D97 operates in a fiscally conservative manner with our current resources, and our district leadership is staying informed on any further changes while seeking guidance from our Governor and state superintendent.