Elizabeth Nierman: Candidate For Arlington Heights School District 25

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 three seats on the Arlington Heights School District 25 Board of Education on Election Day. Current board member Chad Conley is not running for reelection when his term ends in April.

• Brian Cerniglia, current vice president (term ends in 2023)
• Scott Filipek, current member (term ends in 2023)
• Kevin Michael
• Elizabeth Nierman
• Maria Zeller Brauer

Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Elizabeth Nierman

Age (as of election day)

46

Town/city of residence

Arlington Heights

School district

Arlington Heights School District 25

Family

My husband, Judson and I have two children, Vivienne (4th grade) and Oliver (5th grade).

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Westgate and Dryden Elementary School, South Middle School, Prospect High School, Bachelor's Degree from DePauw University, study abroad at the University of Oxford (Hertford College), Master of Arts in Teaching English from the University of Chicago

Occupation

Educator (Former High School Teacher and Varsity Tennis Coach in District 207, 12 years, Current Tutor, and D214 Substitute)

Campaign website

www.votenierman.com

Previous or current elected or appointed office

Arlington Heights Council of PTAs President (2020-21), Arlington Heights Council of PTAs President Elect (2019-20), Dryden Elementary PTA President (2019-20), Dryden Elementary PTA President Elect (2019), Dryden Elementary PTA Secretary (2018), First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights Preschool Board Member (2015-18)

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

D25 deserves an open-minded, responsive Board with fresh perspectives and new experiences who will reset with a positive purpose and tone.
1- Due to the pandemic, students are behind academically and emotionally. We need to continue to assess student needs and provide trauma-informed training for staff. Academic gaps will be identified to create short and long term goals. There will be supplementary curricula to research, partnering districts to consult, and staff development opportunities to offer.
2- The Board should proceed with transparency and gather community input as the additions at our schools begin and we add Full Day Kindergarten. We need to make decisions that are fiscally and educationally sound to secure the best FDK student outcome. Gathering input from stakeholders, researching and collaborating with neighboring districts, and building flexibility into our plan will be essential.
3- The hiring of the next Superintendent is vital. The Superintendent's influence filters through schools and into a community. Our goal is to find a seasoned candidate who will be student, staff, and community focused and will lead with logic, clear communication, and care

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

I have been immersed in service to District 25 and our community for the past 8 years. I have a unique perspective as a lifelong community member, District 25 alumnus, former teacher, current D25 parent, active PTA leader, and community volunteer. I have been doing the work within our district and with administrators to advocate for children and families. Our community deserves a Board who will be responsive, with fresh perspectives and experiences. I understand the heart and the drive of D25, and my efforts and purpose truly lie with serving our students and community.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

The Board of Education has the unique opportunity to bring our community together, because despite our politics or experiences, we can all work together for the good of our children. To effectively do this work, communication needs to be clear between fellow board members and the District 25 community to collaborate on decisions with students’ best interests in mind. As leaders, willingness to work together will project confidence to the public and earn the public’s confidence in return.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I’m also invested in the inclusive attention to all students, staff, parents, and community; responsible and conservative use of recent funds entrusted to D25 by the voters; an innovative focus on a forward-thinking curriculum that will support Digital Citizenship and prepare students for tomorrow; the thoughtful hiring of the next superintendent who will be student, staff, and community focused, and a receptive mindset and transparency of the Board. With a creative eye toward the future, we can work together to make effective choices to boost student performance and solidify District 25’s spot as a leader in Illinois education.

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

Why should voters trust you?

I have a proven track record as a community builder, listener, leader, and as a lifetime community member. My parents, who are nearing retirement, still live in Arlington Heights, and my children attend D25 schools. As a parent, a former teacher, and a taxpayer, I’m in this with you, and my heart and purpose lies with District 25 and Arlington Heights. It’s not just about my children - it’s about ALL children.

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

If we can work together so that our schools make more students, teachers, families, and community members feel welcome, if parents feel empowered and understand their child’s education, if we hire a superintendent who will be student, staff, and community focused, if we roll out a cost-effective and educationally sound Full Day Kindergarten, if we continue to provide D25 students with innovative educational experiences, and if I take the opportunity to connect with community members about their concerns, I will feel like my term in office will be a success.

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

My fiscal aim is to make responsible, conservative financial decisions by making sure our investments are forward looking. It is important to consider the cost versus academic impact and the experiences children are gaining or losing when making these decisions. We can inform decisions through district priorities prescribed by the Strategic Plan, Five Year Financial Projections, the Five Year Facilities Master Plan, and outside audits to explore and develop new financial strategies. Our goal should be to continue to offer the best in equitable and high quality programs. Strong public schools benefit all community members.

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

The emotional toll the pandemic took on all, especially students, has been immense and long lasting, and in our immediate attention to physical health, we didn’t promptly address mental struggles. I recognized this in my own home as well as in our community. If another outbreak occurs, I feel we need to prioritize not only the physical health, but also the social-emotional health of our students and teachers. We have learned that science is ever changing, but a constant is the need to tend to our social well-being. We need to be flexible and willing to change our paths when new information arises from IDPH, ISBE, and IESA but also to consider what is best for our local community and our students, with a keener eye and immediate focus on mental health.

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?

Heated meetings are indicative of a public who feels they aren’t being heard. Opportunities for the public to communicate with the Board and receive feedback in a less formal setting, such as Coffees with the Board at convenient times, open hours, and setting aside time for phone calls can help to include the public in the process. The Board has experimented with different meeting formats, and the changes have been positive. If the Board can remain focused on governance and leave operational tasks and decisions to the Superintendent, efficiency will be easier to maintain.

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

District 25’s 5th and 8th grade health curriculum aligns with the Illinois and National Health standards. Parents are given the opportunity to preview the presentations and opt out if they wish. After the passing of the Illinois Keeping Youth Safe and Healthy Act, District 25’s health curriculum has not changed. All students should see themselves reflected and supported in Health Education and have the benefit of learning factual, developmentally appropriate information from health professionals at school.

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

Critical Race Theory is not currently taught in D25, nor should it be, as it is a theory about racial bias in legal and social institutions and is appropriate study for scholars in college and beyond. But what is valuable to note is how D25 schools have been including more books by diverse authors and curricular topics that address the sometimes difficult ideas that encompass inclusion issues. I believe that all students should feel safe, supported, and celebrated and see themselves represented at school - through books, staff, and curriculum.

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

Our current board and community have done a lot of work to best support all students and their families. The board’s 1:32 policy on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and the addition of a Director of Equity shows promise. As the Arlington Heights Council of PTAs President, I was the first in our Region to add a DEI Chair at the Council level, and as a school board member, I will remain focused on the overarching goal of inclusion for students, parents, staff, and the community. Board members can set the tone and expectation and promote safe and inclusive learning environments by modeling that behavior as individuals, in our community and during Board meetings. We can promote policies that are inclusive in nature and celebrate the diversity of our community.

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?

I see two distinct strengths in the district, and they are interconnected. The largest percent of D25’s operating budget goes to staff, which is appropriate because our staff creates a high quality educational experience and provides the wide variety of programs we offer. Our expert staff enriches the lives of our students with innovative curriculum and projects, collaborating with each other and across buildings, connecting with children, and communicating with parents. As an ABC25 grant liaison, I’m amazed yearly at the new and exciting learning tools the staff wants to bring to their classrooms. My involvement with the schools has reinforced the confidence that my children are receiving the best possible education from their teachers.

The intersecting strength is community support for our schools. Parents and community members want to be involved and aware of what is happening in our buildings. We have robust PTA involvement, and District 25 parents and community members are willing to give their time and be a part of the conversation. Parents are well informed and invested in their children’s education.

Throughout this election process, I have discovered that one area the district can improve upon is communicating with parents and the community. Many community members have approached me with questions and misconceptions about what is happening in our schools. With the media sensationalizing educational topics nationwide, it can be difficult to ascertain what’s happening at home. Support or learning groups for parents and community members and community connection partnerships can aid in this respect. Understandably, D25’s focus has been on rebounding our students post-pandemic. Focusing on our students’ support systems next will only help to lift our children even higher.

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was ____________

My Prospect High School senior year AP English teacher, Mr. Kevin Hickey, shared with me that “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have woven this philosophy into everything that I have done - teaching, parenting, and volunteering - and I look forward to bringing my passionate work ethic to the SD25 Board of Education.