Alva Kreutzer: Candidate For Township High School District 214

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Ahead of the April 4 consolidated municipal elections, Arlington Heights Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Five candidates are vying for four seats on the Township High School District 214 Board of Education on Election Day.

• William Dussling, current president (term ends in 2023)
• Alva Kreutzer, current member (term ends in 2023)
• Elizabeth Bauer
• Misa Edwardsen
• Frank Fiarito

Dussling, Kreutzer and Fiarito are supported by the Friends of District 214 caucus.

Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Alva Kreutzer

Age (as of election day)

70

Town/city of residence

Elk Grove Village

School district

Township High School District 214

Family

Kimberly, 42; Eric 39. Widow since 2017.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Harper College AA

Occupation

Retired public schools as a support staff 13 years

Campaign website

www.fod214.com

Previous or current elected or appointed office

Served BOE D59, 4 years. Currently, D214 BOE since 1999.

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

With the pandemic, we saw, as did all schools across the nation, see a drop in student achievement. We have created a Learning Renewal Plan that addresses increased student achievement, while lowering behavioral issues. To assist student achievement, the D214 renewal plan includes the following: math instruction every day.

The block schedule does not allow for math instruction every day. To give students a better opportunity at higher student achievement, the district will implement AIM.

The Academic Interventions in Mathematics (AIM) Program is designed to support students who enter D214 in 6th grade math or lower (Level 1) per PSAT 8 Math.

We will also include targeted support. This includes interventions for English Learners and student with disabilities that with the assignment of tutoring support staff for small group interventions integrated into general education courses and individualized support of workforce development transition services.

We will also target interventions for students of poverty. Interventions for students of poverty will be targeted to for high-dosage tutoring to address unfinished learning through acceleration and structured learning supports.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

To better understand the role of the Board of Education, there are guiding principles established. Some of the include: the Board employs a superintendent; the Board monitors performance; the Board delegates authority (does not micro-manage); and the Board clarifies the district purpose.
The Board employs one employee, the Superintendent. The Board sets policy and hires and evaluates the Superintendent to administer the policy. While the Board approves the budget, and approves expenditures, we hire an auditor yearly to ensure that tax payer money is spent appropriately. The Board also follows the law for meetings, exceptions to the open meetings act, which there are 15. These exceptions include, but not limited to, discussion regarding personnel, sale or lease of property, and contract negotiations.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

D214 has had a balanced operating budget for years, as well as a clean audit. The district last referendum was 50 years ago. I always cognizant of the tax payer when making financial decisions.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

The district buildings, of which there are 8, must be maintained. With 3.5 million square feet under roof, we need to keep to a regular schedule of updates and replacements. The youngest building is 50 years old. Every summer, work continues in the buildings to ensure and safe, secure, and clean environment.

The district needs to stay on course with the Career Pathways program. Every student chooses a career path from the 16 choices available. These career pathways include, education, law enforcement, manufacturing, health, careers, just to name a few. A student has the opportunity to intern (through our internship program) to explore a job before going to college; saving education costs for parents if and when a student decides to change his/her major.

We need to continue the internship program, where as a student can complete an apprenticeship in HVAC, automotive, cybersecurity, manufacturing, culinary arts, and vet tech before leaving high school. Other apprenticeships include early childhood education, physical therapy assistant, and legal assistant.

Why should voters trust you?

I am a experienced board member. School board members are volunteers who work very hard to improve the opportunities for all students. There are no perks to the job; only satisfaction by ensuring all of our students receive the best education and have real life (work) experiences, before leaving D214. We have a balanced operating budget. I have no hidden agenda.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

My first goal would be to increase student achievement. The demographics of the district are changing. We need to ensure that the services are available for all students. With the influx of students from Bosnia and Ukraine, we need to look at delivering services to not only the students, but their families. My second goal would be to work with the new superintendent. We are hiring a new superintendent after 17 years. I want to ensure that there is a smooth transition. And finally, my third goal would be to keep a balanced budget. With an enormous budget, I want to ensure we are spending our money wisely and effectively for each and every taxpayer. The district has not had a referendum in 50 years and I want to keep it that way.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I have and will always be a fiscal conservative. We operate on a balanced budget, and yearly hire an auditor to ensure funds are being allocated and spent in the correct manner.

What are your thoughts on how the district has handled the COVID-19 pandemic?

When Governor Pritzker closed all schools, our teachers scrambled to deliver remote education. While not ideal, it was the best possible solution at the time. There were times when we had a plan in place and within a day either the Governor or the Health Department changed the rules. Staff would spend 18 hours a day trying to keep up with the ever changing demands the pandemic brought forth. We learned many things about the closure of schools. We learned that the science changed rapidly and because of it, we would announce to the students an update, only having to makes changes the next day. Anticipating what the health department and the Governor would say or do, was taxing on everyone. We learned that you might have a plan, but we better have a Plan B, C, D, E, etc.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, some school boards saw extremely heated disagreements during public meetings. If elected, what changes, if any, need to be made to ensure meetings are run efficiently while still allowing open discussions?

Residents have an opportunity to address the Board during our business meeting under public comments. We need to communicate better that the time for audience comments is not a time for full discussion. If and when a person signs in to speak during the public comments section, he/she should be given a document that states the procedures for public comments. It is not a town hall where debate takes place. I have made a point of being available at less formal events, such as plays, athletic or music events where residents can ask me questions or give comments.

How do you feel about sex education being taught in school? Should an LGBTQ component be included, and why or why not?

The District has not changed its policy and curriculum regarding the health curriculum.

What are your views on critical race theory and whether it should be taught in the district?

CRT is a graduate level course taught in law school. Illinois State Superintendent sent a memo to all school district stating the Illinois does not teach CRT.

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

The Board hired a Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The Board then conducted an equity audit in FY22. The results of the audit can be found on the district’s web page. The Board passed a resolution on November 12, 2020, in support of anti-racist, diversity, equity, and inclusionary practice and initiatives.

When it comes to student achievement, what are schools within this district doing well and what needs to be improved? How can those improvements be made?

The demographics of our schools are ever changing. We need to look at putting additional resources into student achievement. The federal dollars are going away, Elementary and Secondary Education Relief Fund (ESSER), we need to take a hard look at our funding to ensure we are delivering the best educational services possible.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

I plan on staying 4 years.

The best advice ever shared with me was ____________

Government moves slow. Be patient. It will happen.