dorothy elfring
district 37 avoca school board
responses to voter guide questions
1. Why are you running for school board and what are your qualifications?
I’m running for the school board to maintain and improve these two wonderful public institutions: Avoca West Elementary and Marie Murphy Middle School. I have resided in the Avoca District for 10 years after moving from Chicago and Philadelphia before that. I am a lifelong public school attendee and advocate for the value they confer to communities. I, along with my husband, Matt, have 2 school age children; one at Marie Murphy and one at New Trier.
I have a lot of experience working with the district as Parent Teacher Committee volunteer. During my tenure on the PTC, I was elected as president and then the Marie Murphy vice president. One accomplishment I am most proud of is: authoring the work that granted 501c3 status to the PTC. This change brought a charitable deduction status for our fundraising efforts. I am also proud to have assisted during the start of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion PTC subcommittee: CommunIDEE and the Green Committee.
Now, volunteering for Science Olympiad, I can see the depth of community support for the district even more clearly. There are parents/community members who participated with their children 15+ years ago and have been coming back every year since to coach teams. Their deep and ongoing work continues to benefit the students. It’s very special and makes this school so amazing.
I currently work in health insurance as a data analyst and consultant. My educational background is in Philosophy and Women’s Studies and I have a Master’s in Public Health.
2. What are your top priorities for D37 and what do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
My top priorities are helping the district through its financial difficulties and make informed decisions that lead to amazing facilities for future generations to use. I also hope to help make the district facilities and practices more environmentally friendly where it makes sense financially. I will support the new superintendent to implement the strategic plan.
3. How should D37 address the different needs of all students?
There are many different types of needs and the district is set up well to meet a variety of them. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support MTSS and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) are two examples of tools that are in use already to meet student needs; as well as 504 plans and IEPs. I would support the district in making sure these are continued to be used.
In another area, the district sponsors SEED training for teachers and community members to gain a better understanding of the challenges some students from marginalized communities face. I have been able to take this training and feel that these types of activities are essential to our values of Inspiring Curiosity and nurturing diversity. I would work to support trainings like that and also work with Parent Teacher Council, CommunIDEE members as needed.
4. What are your views on D37’s curriculum?
I believe the curriculum is very strong but there could be more ways to support advanced learners; and perhaps ways to expand language arts.
5. What do you feel the community’s role is in public K-8 education?
The community plays an important role in supporting Public k-8 education. Residents fund it via property tax and deserve clear and transparent financial reporting. They are also important as volunteers and advocates. Creatively engaging the community is an ongoing challenge but an important one.
I’m running for the school board to maintain and improve these two wonderful public institutions: Avoca West Elementary and Marie Murphy Middle School. I have resided in the Avoca District for 10 years after moving from Chicago and Philadelphia before that. I am a lifelong public school attendee and advocate for the value they confer to communities. I, along with my husband, Matt, have 2 school age children; one at Marie Murphy and one at New Trier.
I have a lot of experience working with the district as Parent Teacher Committee volunteer. During my tenure on the PTC, I was elected as president and then the Marie Murphy vice president. One accomplishment I am most proud of is: authoring the work that granted 501c3 status to the PTC. This change brought a charitable deduction status for our fundraising efforts. I am also proud to have assisted during the start of the Diversity Equity and Inclusion PTC subcommittee: CommunIDEE and the Green Committee.
Now, volunteering for Science Olympiad, I can see the depth of community support for the district even more clearly. There are parents/community members who participated with their children 15+ years ago and have been coming back every year since to coach teams. Their deep and ongoing work continues to benefit the students. It’s very special and makes this school so amazing.
I currently work in health insurance as a data analyst and consultant. My educational background is in Philosophy and Women’s Studies and I have a Master’s in Public Health.
2. What are your top priorities for D37 and what do you hope to accomplish as a board member?
My top priorities are helping the district through its financial difficulties and make informed decisions that lead to amazing facilities for future generations to use. I also hope to help make the district facilities and practices more environmentally friendly where it makes sense financially. I will support the new superintendent to implement the strategic plan.
3. How should D37 address the different needs of all students?
There are many different types of needs and the district is set up well to meet a variety of them. Multi-Tiered Systems of Support MTSS and Social Emotional Learning (SEL) are two examples of tools that are in use already to meet student needs; as well as 504 plans and IEPs. I would support the district in making sure these are continued to be used.
In another area, the district sponsors SEED training for teachers and community members to gain a better understanding of the challenges some students from marginalized communities face. I have been able to take this training and feel that these types of activities are essential to our values of Inspiring Curiosity and nurturing diversity. I would work to support trainings like that and also work with Parent Teacher Council, CommunIDEE members as needed.
4. What are your views on D37’s curriculum?
I believe the curriculum is very strong but there could be more ways to support advanced learners; and perhaps ways to expand language arts.
5. What do you feel the community’s role is in public K-8 education?
The community plays an important role in supporting Public k-8 education. Residents fund it via property tax and deserve clear and transparent financial reporting. They are also important as volunteers and advocates. Creatively engaging the community is an ongoing challenge but an important one.