Carolyn Cole
Avoca District 37 School Board
candidate video
responses to voter guide questions
Please tell us about yourself, your qualifications, and what prompted you to run for School
Board?
My name is Carolyn Cole. I’m the mother of twin 5th graders at Avoca West School, and the
owner of Take Flight Spirits, a craft distillery in downtown Skokie. My husband and I moved into
the district when I was pregnant with the twins, because we knew they’d receive a great
education. During their years at Avoca West, I’ve been constantly impressed with the amazing
teachers hired by the district. The teachers have inspired my children to love learning, and set
them up for success as they continue in their education. Last year, it seemed that the board
didn’t hear concerns from district parents, and it made me realize that I need to get involved if I
want to make a difference.
Questions:
1. What do you see as the main priorities and challenges for the incoming school board?
I think the board needs to put in some serious effort towards reclaiming community trust
and good will. The bond referendum last year generated a lot of confusion and distrust,
and the board needs to move forward with a new perspective.
2. What, if any, specific educational goals do you have for D37 and how would you work to
achieve them?
I have been enormously impressed with the quality of the faculty and staff in the district,
and I want to be sure the board is doing everything possible to support them. They are
the front lines in ensuring that our children meet learning with enthusiasm.
3. How would you improve the board’s transparency and community engagement?
There should be consistent and clear communication from the school board; both to
families with children attending our schools, but also to households without school-age
children. I’ve noticed the change in campaigns between the 23/24 and 24/25 school
years, and I think we could benefit from a communications reboot. While I realize
communication with the community at large may be more of a challenge, I would like to
see what can be done to address that, since decisions made by the school board can
impact local taxes for all residents.
4. In 2024, the Avoca District proposed a bond issue to upgrade Avoca facilities that did not
pass. What is your recommendation on Avoca facilities upgrades?
I think we need to listen closely to what the community had to say about the failed bond
issue. There were many concerns raised about the bond issue; in particular regarding
finances, and the increase in the burden to the community surrounding Marie Murphy
that would be caused by combining both schools onto one campus. This community
deserves a board that will hear their concerns, and actually listen to them. I do
understand that there are issues with the Avoca West building that urgently need to be
addressed, for the safety of both students and staff; but it is clear that the board has a
responsibility to the community to solicit new options, to take the concerns of the
community into consideration. In particular, I would like to hear further options for
keeping the Avoca West campus where it is, to reduce the strain on the community
immediately surrounding Marie Murphy.
Board?
My name is Carolyn Cole. I’m the mother of twin 5th graders at Avoca West School, and the
owner of Take Flight Spirits, a craft distillery in downtown Skokie. My husband and I moved into
the district when I was pregnant with the twins, because we knew they’d receive a great
education. During their years at Avoca West, I’ve been constantly impressed with the amazing
teachers hired by the district. The teachers have inspired my children to love learning, and set
them up for success as they continue in their education. Last year, it seemed that the board
didn’t hear concerns from district parents, and it made me realize that I need to get involved if I
want to make a difference.
Questions:
1. What do you see as the main priorities and challenges for the incoming school board?
I think the board needs to put in some serious effort towards reclaiming community trust
and good will. The bond referendum last year generated a lot of confusion and distrust,
and the board needs to move forward with a new perspective.
2. What, if any, specific educational goals do you have for D37 and how would you work to
achieve them?
I have been enormously impressed with the quality of the faculty and staff in the district,
and I want to be sure the board is doing everything possible to support them. They are
the front lines in ensuring that our children meet learning with enthusiasm.
3. How would you improve the board’s transparency and community engagement?
There should be consistent and clear communication from the school board; both to
families with children attending our schools, but also to households without school-age
children. I’ve noticed the change in campaigns between the 23/24 and 24/25 school
years, and I think we could benefit from a communications reboot. While I realize
communication with the community at large may be more of a challenge, I would like to
see what can be done to address that, since decisions made by the school board can
impact local taxes for all residents.
4. In 2024, the Avoca District proposed a bond issue to upgrade Avoca facilities that did not
pass. What is your recommendation on Avoca facilities upgrades?
I think we need to listen closely to what the community had to say about the failed bond
issue. There were many concerns raised about the bond issue; in particular regarding
finances, and the increase in the burden to the community surrounding Marie Murphy
that would be caused by combining both schools onto one campus. This community
deserves a board that will hear their concerns, and actually listen to them. I do
understand that there are issues with the Avoca West building that urgently need to be
addressed, for the safety of both students and staff; but it is clear that the board has a
responsibility to the community to solicit new options, to take the concerns of the
community into consideration. In particular, I would like to hear further options for
keeping the Avoca West campus where it is, to reduce the strain on the community
immediately surrounding Marie Murphy.