(uncontested)
Frank Panzica
Amy Poehling
Erin Stone
Frank Panzica
Amy Poehling
Erin Stone
Frank Panzica
Biography
I, Frank D. Panzica, have been a member of the District 39 School Board since April 2015 and I am currently the Vice-President. I moved to Wilmette over 10 years ago with my wife and my son, who graduated from District 39 last year. I am also active in Boy Scouts and my church. After working 39 years in a variety of business ownership, strategic and management positions at AT&T and Motorola I retired at the end of 2018.
Voter Guide Responses
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected to the Board of Education? Please explain why these goals are priorities for you
I based every decision during my first term on two principles: (1) Does this help better prepare our students to be successful at New Trier? (2) Does it spend all taxpayers’ money efficiently/effectively? The most impactful item for the next year or two is to help the new superintendent, Dr. Cremascoli, learn about our district and develop a plan. With change comes the opportunity to reflect on the many things that are done well in our district, and to work with the new superintendent to look at opportunities through a new lens.
How would you approach the next budget and tax levy cycles given the current
financial picture of the district and its short-term and long-term needs?
We should always strive for a balanced budget. If there is a short-term need (such as capital for building school rooms for extended kindergarten) then the budget should maintain reserves within the upper and lower guidelines during the five-year budget projection. This excludes items not under our control that may be generated in Springfield. New laws that could impact anticipated state revenue or increase costs (such as unfunded mandates) are the biggest items that might impact our future finances. We monitor these Springfield discussions and analyze potential impacts and remediations.
The levy process is based on the law that was implemented to prevent unchecked raising of property tax rates and establishes the ability to increase revenue at the rate of inflation. This is structural and reflects the fact that over 70% of our costs are for teacher/staff salaries that tend to go up with inflation. Last fall we established a board practice that if the levy generates more money than needed for that year, as reflected in rising reserve levels, that we will specifically discuss if excess reserves could be rebated to taxpayers or are needed for priority projects such as maintenance and repair.
Are there any changes you would like to see in the way District 39 handles school
security, either in security procedures or in communications to the community?
I am proud of how District 39 quickly addressed security issues as conditions changed over the last year or two. The administration quickly developed a list of high priority and important issues. The board immediately approved this list (and pulled in some timelines) and the administration quickly implemented them. We all need to remain aware that conditions change and we need to continue communication efforts, and we must monitor and fund any new identified beneficial/required items.
How effective is the strategic planning process in your view? Are there any changes you would like to see?
Early in my current term I was an advocate for a more robust strategy process. We added a Strategy Committee and have had board retreats on strategic items. However, this is an evolving area and we need to continue to collect input from all sources (the community, administrators, teachers, the board, etc.) I think we have an opportunity with a new superintendent to have a new set of eyes on our process and implementation. Based on interviews and initial conversations I believe that Dr. Cremascoli has some good ideas and experience in this area.
What environmental and sustainability issues would you like District 39 to address?
As a baseline, 10 years ago there were no iPads and YouTube was a novelty. Now kids grow up with these and other tools. What do we need to do to be flexible enough to absorb the next new things? Do we need to minimize the impact and/or embrace the new opportunities? Collecting ideas from experts and the community and developing and documenting a strategic plan for the future should be a priority.
What environmental and sustainability issues would you like District 39 to address?
The current board takes these issues very seriously and has worked on a number of items such as outdoor gardens, waste minimization, and energy efficiency. I will continue to support sustainability audits and include energy efficiency as part of all new construction. How we obtain and use electricity is an area we are actively monitoring. There are many important and interesting projects that can be considered, but they have to be balanced against costs.
I, Frank D. Panzica, have been a member of the District 39 School Board since April 2015 and I am currently the Vice-President. I moved to Wilmette over 10 years ago with my wife and my son, who graduated from District 39 last year. I am also active in Boy Scouts and my church. After working 39 years in a variety of business ownership, strategic and management positions at AT&T and Motorola I retired at the end of 2018.
Voter Guide Responses
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected to the Board of Education? Please explain why these goals are priorities for you
I based every decision during my first term on two principles: (1) Does this help better prepare our students to be successful at New Trier? (2) Does it spend all taxpayers’ money efficiently/effectively? The most impactful item for the next year or two is to help the new superintendent, Dr. Cremascoli, learn about our district and develop a plan. With change comes the opportunity to reflect on the many things that are done well in our district, and to work with the new superintendent to look at opportunities through a new lens.
How would you approach the next budget and tax levy cycles given the current
financial picture of the district and its short-term and long-term needs?
We should always strive for a balanced budget. If there is a short-term need (such as capital for building school rooms for extended kindergarten) then the budget should maintain reserves within the upper and lower guidelines during the five-year budget projection. This excludes items not under our control that may be generated in Springfield. New laws that could impact anticipated state revenue or increase costs (such as unfunded mandates) are the biggest items that might impact our future finances. We monitor these Springfield discussions and analyze potential impacts and remediations.
The levy process is based on the law that was implemented to prevent unchecked raising of property tax rates and establishes the ability to increase revenue at the rate of inflation. This is structural and reflects the fact that over 70% of our costs are for teacher/staff salaries that tend to go up with inflation. Last fall we established a board practice that if the levy generates more money than needed for that year, as reflected in rising reserve levels, that we will specifically discuss if excess reserves could be rebated to taxpayers or are needed for priority projects such as maintenance and repair.
Are there any changes you would like to see in the way District 39 handles school
security, either in security procedures or in communications to the community?
I am proud of how District 39 quickly addressed security issues as conditions changed over the last year or two. The administration quickly developed a list of high priority and important issues. The board immediately approved this list (and pulled in some timelines) and the administration quickly implemented them. We all need to remain aware that conditions change and we need to continue communication efforts, and we must monitor and fund any new identified beneficial/required items.
How effective is the strategic planning process in your view? Are there any changes you would like to see?
Early in my current term I was an advocate for a more robust strategy process. We added a Strategy Committee and have had board retreats on strategic items. However, this is an evolving area and we need to continue to collect input from all sources (the community, administrators, teachers, the board, etc.) I think we have an opportunity with a new superintendent to have a new set of eyes on our process and implementation. Based on interviews and initial conversations I believe that Dr. Cremascoli has some good ideas and experience in this area.
What environmental and sustainability issues would you like District 39 to address?
As a baseline, 10 years ago there were no iPads and YouTube was a novelty. Now kids grow up with these and other tools. What do we need to do to be flexible enough to absorb the next new things? Do we need to minimize the impact and/or embrace the new opportunities? Collecting ideas from experts and the community and developing and documenting a strategic plan for the future should be a priority.
What environmental and sustainability issues would you like District 39 to address?
The current board takes these issues very seriously and has worked on a number of items such as outdoor gardens, waste minimization, and energy efficiency. I will continue to support sustainability audits and include energy efficiency as part of all new construction. How we obtain and use electricity is an area we are actively monitoring. There are many important and interesting projects that can be considered, but they have to be balanced against costs.
Amy Poehling
Biography
I have long defined myself as an educator at heart. I grew up outside of Boston, MA, where my parents still live. I got my B.S from the University of New Hampshire in Child Studies and Psychology and my M.Ed. from Lesley College. I was lucky enough to teach 1st grade and then become an elementary school principal in the Bay Area CA; Cambridge, MA and most recently at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago.
After my two daughters were born (currently ages 9 and 7), I left my job as a principal at Parker to stay home with my children while dedicating time to my community. Currently, I supervise student teachers in pursuit of their M.Ed at Northwestern. I have also been involved with Wilmette schools since we moved here in 2014. I advocated for Full Day Kindergarten and have served as a room parent, on the Newcomer’s Committee at Central and on the Community Review Committee for the district.
Voter Guide Responses
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected to the Board of Education? Please explain why these goals are priorities for you.
I am a proud product and supporter of public education, with professional experience in a variety of school settings. I will draw on my background in school leadership to help ensure a smooth and successful transition for our new superintendent. Dr. Lechner has led our district well and is leaving us poised to capitalize on this opportunity of change in leadership to bring our schools to the next level of excellence. Sydney Harris tell us, “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” We ask this growth mindset of our students, and we must demand it of ourselves as district leadership, as well. I believe our district can become a leader in providing research-based, forward thinking programming that provides our students with the tools they will need as they move into high school and beyond – and into the careers of the future. As a member of the Board, I pledge to be accessible to the community at large and to do my best to represent the interests and ideas of all constituents. I will bring the voice of a parent of
younger children to the diverse perspectives of the board. I do not have an agenda of set initiatives. I promise to listen, to learn, to work hard and to advocate for our children, for our schools, and for our community as a whole.
How would you approach the next budget and tax levy cycles given the current
financial picture of the district and its short-term and long-term needs?
I have always been grateful for the board’s careful stewardship of our tax dollars and planning for our facilities. Our district continues to earn the highest “Financial Recognition” for financial stability. The recent definition of a minimum fund balance at 40% as a safety net, as well as a defined 65% upper limit leaves us on solid financial footing. There will always be more items on our wish list than we are able to fund. But defining a compelling strategic plan can help us prioritize these needs and allow us to stay agile while maintaining fiscal discipline. In all financial decisions, I will continue to balance the absolute best use of taxpayers’ money with ensuring that our students receive the very best education we can offer.
Are there any changes you would like to see in the way District 39 handles school
security, either in security procedures or in communications to the community?
When we send our children off to school each morning, we need to know that their safety is our schools’ top priority. I am grateful for the recent changes D39 has implemented. Entrance and exit points have been streamlined. We have enhanced security at school offices, including cameras, double door entries and sign in procedures for guests. Also, as part of the strategic plan, the board is committed to continuing training with the Wilmette Fire and Police Departments. Most importantly, however, I appreciate the relationships our school personnel develop with students. They are committed to knowing and appreciating each child in their care. Our teachers, administrators and specialists have mechanisms in place to assess who might be at
risk and to intervene with students who may feel isolated. As a concerned parent, I feel assured that our children’s safety is well planned for. As a board member, I will ensure that we continue to monitor the processes we have in place and keep this as a top priority.
How effective is the strategic planning process in your view? Are there any changes you would like to see?
I encourage all voters to read the strategic plan for District 39. Our administrators and the board have tackled essential topics for improvement head on, with a robust plan for
implementation and reflection. Their plan is thorough and transparent. I would like to see us refine this process through additional community input from all stakeholders and to plan further into the future beyond the current five-year model. My goal is for us to plan beyond a tactical level. We find ourselves, at times, following trends at the tail end rather than tackling problems head on, and being the leaders I know we can be.
What environmental and sustainability issues would you like District 39 to address?
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”-Jane Goodall
It is imperative that we lead our students to be wise stewards of our natural environment. I strongly support Dr. Lechner’s recommendation that the CRC study the issue of sustainability next year, and that we create bold policies based on the study’s findings. We need to ensure that our schools serve as models of environmental sustainability. In juxtaposition with the time our children spend indoors and online, we must teach them where our food comes from and to connect them with the outside world. Let’s optimize our student programming so that our children learn how to be effective and empowered stewards of our environment. I will also stay vigilant in ensuring that our buildings are constructed and maintained with as green a footprint as possible. I strongly support exploring the feasibility of solar panels and transitioning our buildings to more renewable sources of energy.
I have long defined myself as an educator at heart. I grew up outside of Boston, MA, where my parents still live. I got my B.S from the University of New Hampshire in Child Studies and Psychology and my M.Ed. from Lesley College. I was lucky enough to teach 1st grade and then become an elementary school principal in the Bay Area CA; Cambridge, MA and most recently at Francis W. Parker School in Chicago.
After my two daughters were born (currently ages 9 and 7), I left my job as a principal at Parker to stay home with my children while dedicating time to my community. Currently, I supervise student teachers in pursuit of their M.Ed at Northwestern. I have also been involved with Wilmette schools since we moved here in 2014. I advocated for Full Day Kindergarten and have served as a room parent, on the Newcomer’s Committee at Central and on the Community Review Committee for the district.
Voter Guide Responses
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected to the Board of Education? Please explain why these goals are priorities for you.
I am a proud product and supporter of public education, with professional experience in a variety of school settings. I will draw on my background in school leadership to help ensure a smooth and successful transition for our new superintendent. Dr. Lechner has led our district well and is leaving us poised to capitalize on this opportunity of change in leadership to bring our schools to the next level of excellence. Sydney Harris tell us, “The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” We ask this growth mindset of our students, and we must demand it of ourselves as district leadership, as well. I believe our district can become a leader in providing research-based, forward thinking programming that provides our students with the tools they will need as they move into high school and beyond – and into the careers of the future. As a member of the Board, I pledge to be accessible to the community at large and to do my best to represent the interests and ideas of all constituents. I will bring the voice of a parent of
younger children to the diverse perspectives of the board. I do not have an agenda of set initiatives. I promise to listen, to learn, to work hard and to advocate for our children, for our schools, and for our community as a whole.
How would you approach the next budget and tax levy cycles given the current
financial picture of the district and its short-term and long-term needs?
I have always been grateful for the board’s careful stewardship of our tax dollars and planning for our facilities. Our district continues to earn the highest “Financial Recognition” for financial stability. The recent definition of a minimum fund balance at 40% as a safety net, as well as a defined 65% upper limit leaves us on solid financial footing. There will always be more items on our wish list than we are able to fund. But defining a compelling strategic plan can help us prioritize these needs and allow us to stay agile while maintaining fiscal discipline. In all financial decisions, I will continue to balance the absolute best use of taxpayers’ money with ensuring that our students receive the very best education we can offer.
Are there any changes you would like to see in the way District 39 handles school
security, either in security procedures or in communications to the community?
When we send our children off to school each morning, we need to know that their safety is our schools’ top priority. I am grateful for the recent changes D39 has implemented. Entrance and exit points have been streamlined. We have enhanced security at school offices, including cameras, double door entries and sign in procedures for guests. Also, as part of the strategic plan, the board is committed to continuing training with the Wilmette Fire and Police Departments. Most importantly, however, I appreciate the relationships our school personnel develop with students. They are committed to knowing and appreciating each child in their care. Our teachers, administrators and specialists have mechanisms in place to assess who might be at
risk and to intervene with students who may feel isolated. As a concerned parent, I feel assured that our children’s safety is well planned for. As a board member, I will ensure that we continue to monitor the processes we have in place and keep this as a top priority.
How effective is the strategic planning process in your view? Are there any changes you would like to see?
I encourage all voters to read the strategic plan for District 39. Our administrators and the board have tackled essential topics for improvement head on, with a robust plan for
implementation and reflection. Their plan is thorough and transparent. I would like to see us refine this process through additional community input from all stakeholders and to plan further into the future beyond the current five-year model. My goal is for us to plan beyond a tactical level. We find ourselves, at times, following trends at the tail end rather than tackling problems head on, and being the leaders I know we can be.
What environmental and sustainability issues would you like District 39 to address?
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference and you have to decide what kind of a difference you want to make.”-Jane Goodall
It is imperative that we lead our students to be wise stewards of our natural environment. I strongly support Dr. Lechner’s recommendation that the CRC study the issue of sustainability next year, and that we create bold policies based on the study’s findings. We need to ensure that our schools serve as models of environmental sustainability. In juxtaposition with the time our children spend indoors and online, we must teach them where our food comes from and to connect them with the outside world. Let’s optimize our student programming so that our children learn how to be effective and empowered stewards of our environment. I will also stay vigilant in ensuring that our buildings are constructed and maintained with as green a footprint as possible. I strongly support exploring the feasibility of solar panels and transitioning our buildings to more renewable sources of energy.
Erin Stone
Biography
I have a B.A. in history from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) with minors in English and Russian and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. I currently work as a special education associate at Crow Island Elementary School in Winnetka and am also pursuing an M.A.T. at Northeastern Illinois University in order to get certified to teach middle school math, language arts, and social studies. While raising my freshman daughter and 7th grade son, I have enjoyed volunteering in many capacities in D39 schools and the surrounding community, including as a youth Sunday school teacher, a member and president of the Community Review Committee (CRC), Communications Chair of the Village-wide PTO, Co-Chair of the Highcrest Outdoor Classroom, and Secretary of New Trier Caucus.
Voter Guide Responses
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected to the Board of Education? Please explain why these goals are priorities for you.
A number of years ago, someone asked me the question, “what’s your passion?” While that inquiry caught me off-guard, and I didn’t have an immediate answer that was satisfactory to me at the time, what it did do was to cause me to do some soul searching to examine and determine exactly what my priorities are. After much thought and reflection, I realized that the thing that I am most passionate about in my life is working with and on behalf of children. This is why I embarked on a career change from law to education after years of being a stay-at-home mom. This is why, four years ago, I took a job that I love as a special education associate in a nearby elementary school. This is why I recently went back to school to become a middle school math, language arts, and social studies teacher. This is why I volunteer in our schools and teach Sunday school to teenagers at my church. And this is why, after years of watching and attending D39 board of education meetings, I decided to run for the school board.
People who know me would say that I am an earnest, calm, level-headed, hard-working, diligent person who welcomes diversity of thought, values kindness and empathy, and is committed to serving and building others up in a positive way. When I was the president of the D39 Community Review Committee (CRC), fellow members praised my leadership skills, and one of them also remarked that I embodied the characteristics found in that rare breed of individuals who could aptly be described as an “honest broker.” I believe that schools should be a safe place where exemplary teaching fosters the growth of the whole child. As a member of the D39 Board of Education, I hope to accomplish the realization of this belief through dedicated service that consistently brings to the table the personal attributes mentioned above.
How would you approach the next budget and tax levy cycles given the current
financial picture of the district and its short-term and long-term needs?
I think that making balanced financial decisions is one of the most difficult things that a school board does. My approach would be one of prudent focus on funding the district’s highest priorities while also maintaining an unshakeable resolve to always be a mindful and wise steward of the taxpayers’ money. My priorities for the district include continuing the current high-level quality of programming, providing staff with competitive compensation in order to attract and hold on to the brightest and best in the field, and maintaining our aging facilities by supporting necessary capital projects. In light of possible future decreases in funding which could result from a tax freeze or rollback referendum, coupled with the increasing amount of D39 students who have an IEP which may require the allocation of additional resources and the possibility of pension cost shifts, I support the district’s recent commitment to increase the minimum fund balance from 30% to 40% of its operating fund budget.
Are there any changes you would like to see in the way District 39 handles school security, either in security procedures or in communications to the community?
Nothing is more paramount than keeping children and staff safe in our schools. I appreciate how D39 has established an ongoing collaboration with the Wilmette Police Department in order to ensure that its security measures evolve accordingly over time to reflect current best practices. The balance D39 has struck between communicating relevant information to the public while still maintaining a prudent level of privacy has been appropriate.
How effective is the strategic planning process in your view? Are there any changes you would like to see?
I support the district’s relatively recent creation of a Board of Education Strategy Committee and its current practice of providing updates at board meetings on how ongoing strategic initiatives are progressing. I’ve long believed that one of the great strengths of D39 is that it doesn’t just “coast along” or “rest on its laurels” but instead takes the deliberately proactive approach of reflecting and planning in a way that constantly and consistently improves the educational experience for its students.
However, when I consider how strategic planning is done in other districts (and I’ve actually had friends who work in education email me their districts’ “strat plans” because they have correctly gleaned that I am indeed interested in such things), I am both impressed and inspired by not only the longer range outlook that they have, but also what I would call a “big picture”/”big ideas” approach to strategic planning that is usually arrived at after consultation with all stakeholders. When I see specific initiatives in a district’s strategic plan that are tied to broader concepts like its “mission,” “vision,” and “beliefs,” I think the whole process becomes a great deal more impactful. I would welcome such an approach in D39.
What environmental and sustainability issues would you like District 39 to address?
I am most grateful to the numerous parents, community members, and staff who created, developed, maintained, and expanded the gardens/outdoor classrooms at our schools. Their incredible foresight and tireless work have resulted in tremendous opportunities for growth and learning for D39 students which I believe are more important now than ever before. On a personal level, I truly treasure the memories I have of my time volunteering in the McKenzie garden and serving as a co-chair of the Highcrest Outdoor Classroom.
Included among the materials and presentations at the regular January meeting of the D39 Board of Education was a specific list of strategic plan updates regarding recent and near-future plans for sustainability efforts that the district has and is currently in the process of undertaking in its construction projects. These are all measures which I fully support. In addition, at its January meeting of the Committee of the Whole, the board suggested that the 2019-2020 Community Review Committee (CRC) study the topic of sustainability. If the CRC chooses to undertake this deeper dive into possible sustainability practices that the district might adopt, I look forward to learning what its conclusions are and giving high consideration to its recommendations.
I have a B.A. in history from Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) with minors in English and Russian and a J.D. from the University of Illinois College of Law. I currently work as a special education associate at Crow Island Elementary School in Winnetka and am also pursuing an M.A.T. at Northeastern Illinois University in order to get certified to teach middle school math, language arts, and social studies. While raising my freshman daughter and 7th grade son, I have enjoyed volunteering in many capacities in D39 schools and the surrounding community, including as a youth Sunday school teacher, a member and president of the Community Review Committee (CRC), Communications Chair of the Village-wide PTO, Co-Chair of the Highcrest Outdoor Classroom, and Secretary of New Trier Caucus.
Voter Guide Responses
What do you hope to accomplish if you are elected to the Board of Education? Please explain why these goals are priorities for you.
A number of years ago, someone asked me the question, “what’s your passion?” While that inquiry caught me off-guard, and I didn’t have an immediate answer that was satisfactory to me at the time, what it did do was to cause me to do some soul searching to examine and determine exactly what my priorities are. After much thought and reflection, I realized that the thing that I am most passionate about in my life is working with and on behalf of children. This is why I embarked on a career change from law to education after years of being a stay-at-home mom. This is why, four years ago, I took a job that I love as a special education associate in a nearby elementary school. This is why I recently went back to school to become a middle school math, language arts, and social studies teacher. This is why I volunteer in our schools and teach Sunday school to teenagers at my church. And this is why, after years of watching and attending D39 board of education meetings, I decided to run for the school board.
People who know me would say that I am an earnest, calm, level-headed, hard-working, diligent person who welcomes diversity of thought, values kindness and empathy, and is committed to serving and building others up in a positive way. When I was the president of the D39 Community Review Committee (CRC), fellow members praised my leadership skills, and one of them also remarked that I embodied the characteristics found in that rare breed of individuals who could aptly be described as an “honest broker.” I believe that schools should be a safe place where exemplary teaching fosters the growth of the whole child. As a member of the D39 Board of Education, I hope to accomplish the realization of this belief through dedicated service that consistently brings to the table the personal attributes mentioned above.
How would you approach the next budget and tax levy cycles given the current
financial picture of the district and its short-term and long-term needs?
I think that making balanced financial decisions is one of the most difficult things that a school board does. My approach would be one of prudent focus on funding the district’s highest priorities while also maintaining an unshakeable resolve to always be a mindful and wise steward of the taxpayers’ money. My priorities for the district include continuing the current high-level quality of programming, providing staff with competitive compensation in order to attract and hold on to the brightest and best in the field, and maintaining our aging facilities by supporting necessary capital projects. In light of possible future decreases in funding which could result from a tax freeze or rollback referendum, coupled with the increasing amount of D39 students who have an IEP which may require the allocation of additional resources and the possibility of pension cost shifts, I support the district’s recent commitment to increase the minimum fund balance from 30% to 40% of its operating fund budget.
Are there any changes you would like to see in the way District 39 handles school security, either in security procedures or in communications to the community?
Nothing is more paramount than keeping children and staff safe in our schools. I appreciate how D39 has established an ongoing collaboration with the Wilmette Police Department in order to ensure that its security measures evolve accordingly over time to reflect current best practices. The balance D39 has struck between communicating relevant information to the public while still maintaining a prudent level of privacy has been appropriate.
How effective is the strategic planning process in your view? Are there any changes you would like to see?
I support the district’s relatively recent creation of a Board of Education Strategy Committee and its current practice of providing updates at board meetings on how ongoing strategic initiatives are progressing. I’ve long believed that one of the great strengths of D39 is that it doesn’t just “coast along” or “rest on its laurels” but instead takes the deliberately proactive approach of reflecting and planning in a way that constantly and consistently improves the educational experience for its students.
However, when I consider how strategic planning is done in other districts (and I’ve actually had friends who work in education email me their districts’ “strat plans” because they have correctly gleaned that I am indeed interested in such things), I am both impressed and inspired by not only the longer range outlook that they have, but also what I would call a “big picture”/”big ideas” approach to strategic planning that is usually arrived at after consultation with all stakeholders. When I see specific initiatives in a district’s strategic plan that are tied to broader concepts like its “mission,” “vision,” and “beliefs,” I think the whole process becomes a great deal more impactful. I would welcome such an approach in D39.
What environmental and sustainability issues would you like District 39 to address?
I am most grateful to the numerous parents, community members, and staff who created, developed, maintained, and expanded the gardens/outdoor classrooms at our schools. Their incredible foresight and tireless work have resulted in tremendous opportunities for growth and learning for D39 students which I believe are more important now than ever before. On a personal level, I truly treasure the memories I have of my time volunteering in the McKenzie garden and serving as a co-chair of the Highcrest Outdoor Classroom.
Included among the materials and presentations at the regular January meeting of the D39 Board of Education was a specific list of strategic plan updates regarding recent and near-future plans for sustainability efforts that the district has and is currently in the process of undertaking in its construction projects. These are all measures which I fully support. In addition, at its January meeting of the Committee of the Whole, the board suggested that the 2019-2020 Community Review Committee (CRC) study the topic of sustainability. If the CRC chooses to undertake this deeper dive into possible sustainability practices that the district might adopt, I look forward to learning what its conclusions are and giving high consideration to its recommendations.