Lauren Rivera-Haire
Avoca District 37 School Board
candidate video
responses to voter guide questions
Introduction:
Please tell us about yourself, your qualifications, and what prompted you to run for School Board?
My name is Lauren Rivera-Haire, and I’m excited to run for the Avoca District 37 School Board. With a background in Human Resources and compliance since 2007, I bring valuable skills in communication, engagement, and organizational strategy.
As a parent of a second grader at Avoca, I’ve had wonderful experiences with our teachers and staff. We have an outstanding curriculum, and I am passionate about supporting the schools. I first got involved by volunteering in the classroom and at larger events like the Fun Fair. However, after the failed referendum, I saw a disconnect between the schools and the community. That pushed me to take on a leadership role in the Parent Teacher Council as Director of Communications. Now, with a deeper understanding of our district, I’m ready to serve on the School Board.
Questions:
What do you see as the main priorities and challenges for the incoming school board?
One of the top priorities is rebuilding community trust and engagement. The referendum’s failure highlighted a gap in communication, and without strong community support, we can’t succeed. The district is taking steps in the right direction, like the new Vision newsletter, but there’s more work to do.
Teacher and staff retention is another key focus. We have exceptional educators, and keeping them here ensures our students' success. My HR experience in retention, engagement, and talent management will help identify ways to improve support for our staff.
Lastly, with evolving policies at the state and federal levels, the Board must be proactive in addressing potential funding changes, especially those tied to curriculum regulations. Transparency will be crucial in keeping the community informed and involved in these discussions.
What, if any, specific educational goals do you have for D37 and how would you work to achieve them?
Avoca already excels in academics, and I trust our leadership, including Superintendent Sandra Arreguín, to continue this success.
One area I want to champion is Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Strong emotional intelligence is a key trait of successful leaders, and Avoca stands out in developing these skills early. SEL fosters resilience, empathy, and collaboration—essential for both school and future careers. I’ll support evidence-based SEL programs to ensure they remain a priority.
How would you improve the board’s transparency and community engagement?
This is a major reason I’m running. Communication is improving, but without real engagement, messages can get lost or discarded. The community needs to feel connected and heard.
A simple first step is a clearly marked section on the district website with easy-to-find, relevant information—like a one-page flyer explaining key issues, financial details, and upcoming Q&A sessions.
We should also explore creative ways to bring the community into our schools, such as workshops (e.g., painting or beginner Excel classes) or open gym sessions. Additionally, involving community members in school events—perhaps through Fun Fair sponsorships or volunteer opportunities—could foster stronger relationships.
These are just a few ideas, and I’d love to collaborate with others and also find even better solutions!
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?
First, I want to acknowledge the efforts made to engage the community during the 2024 bond proposal—whether people voted yes or no, they understood the issue and you could see the passion to do what is right for our children and schools while also ensuring financial responsibility.
Avoca’s facilities are crucial for a safe, modern learning environment. While the bond didn’t pass, this is an opportunity to rebuild trust, refine the plan, and explore funding alternatives to ensure our schools remain a strong community asset.
Some of these things may already be in the works. We need a current, well-documented needs assessment that’s easily accessible to the public. This should be a prioritized list based on urgency. Engaging the community early and often is key - especially taxpayers without children in the district. Town halls, open houses, and clear, visual breakdowns of costs and funding options can help address concerns and build support.
We should also consider whether a phased approach or a larger-scale project makes the most sense based on feedback. If another bond proposal is needed, it must be right-sized and directly address concerns from 2024. Communicating the long-term return on investment—including efficiency, cost savings, and property value impact—will be essential to earning community buy-in.
Please tell us about yourself, your qualifications, and what prompted you to run for School Board?
My name is Lauren Rivera-Haire, and I’m excited to run for the Avoca District 37 School Board. With a background in Human Resources and compliance since 2007, I bring valuable skills in communication, engagement, and organizational strategy.
As a parent of a second grader at Avoca, I’ve had wonderful experiences with our teachers and staff. We have an outstanding curriculum, and I am passionate about supporting the schools. I first got involved by volunteering in the classroom and at larger events like the Fun Fair. However, after the failed referendum, I saw a disconnect between the schools and the community. That pushed me to take on a leadership role in the Parent Teacher Council as Director of Communications. Now, with a deeper understanding of our district, I’m ready to serve on the School Board.
Questions:
What do you see as the main priorities and challenges for the incoming school board?
One of the top priorities is rebuilding community trust and engagement. The referendum’s failure highlighted a gap in communication, and without strong community support, we can’t succeed. The district is taking steps in the right direction, like the new Vision newsletter, but there’s more work to do.
Teacher and staff retention is another key focus. We have exceptional educators, and keeping them here ensures our students' success. My HR experience in retention, engagement, and talent management will help identify ways to improve support for our staff.
Lastly, with evolving policies at the state and federal levels, the Board must be proactive in addressing potential funding changes, especially those tied to curriculum regulations. Transparency will be crucial in keeping the community informed and involved in these discussions.
What, if any, specific educational goals do you have for D37 and how would you work to achieve them?
Avoca already excels in academics, and I trust our leadership, including Superintendent Sandra Arreguín, to continue this success.
One area I want to champion is Social Emotional Learning (SEL). Strong emotional intelligence is a key trait of successful leaders, and Avoca stands out in developing these skills early. SEL fosters resilience, empathy, and collaboration—essential for both school and future careers. I’ll support evidence-based SEL programs to ensure they remain a priority.
How would you improve the board’s transparency and community engagement?
This is a major reason I’m running. Communication is improving, but without real engagement, messages can get lost or discarded. The community needs to feel connected and heard.
A simple first step is a clearly marked section on the district website with easy-to-find, relevant information—like a one-page flyer explaining key issues, financial details, and upcoming Q&A sessions.
We should also explore creative ways to bring the community into our schools, such as workshops (e.g., painting or beginner Excel classes) or open gym sessions. Additionally, involving community members in school events—perhaps through Fun Fair sponsorships or volunteer opportunities—could foster stronger relationships.
These are just a few ideas, and I’d love to collaborate with others and also find even better solutions!
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?
First, I want to acknowledge the efforts made to engage the community during the 2024 bond proposal—whether people voted yes or no, they understood the issue and you could see the passion to do what is right for our children and schools while also ensuring financial responsibility.
Avoca’s facilities are crucial for a safe, modern learning environment. While the bond didn’t pass, this is an opportunity to rebuild trust, refine the plan, and explore funding alternatives to ensure our schools remain a strong community asset.
Some of these things may already be in the works. We need a current, well-documented needs assessment that’s easily accessible to the public. This should be a prioritized list based on urgency. Engaging the community early and often is key - especially taxpayers without children in the district. Town halls, open houses, and clear, visual breakdowns of costs and funding options can help address concerns and build support.
We should also consider whether a phased approach or a larger-scale project makes the most sense based on feedback. If another bond proposal is needed, it must be right-sized and directly address concerns from 2024. Communicating the long-term return on investment—including efficiency, cost savings, and property value impact—will be essential to earning community buy-in.