Adrian Chavez: Candidate For Summit Hill 161 Board Of Education

FRANKFORT, IL — The consolidated election, which features several local races, will be held on April 1, with early voting starting on March 17. As a way to help keep voters informed, Patch offers candidate questionnaires for all candidates in local races.

One of those races in Frankfort is the race for Summit Hill District 161 Board of Education. There are two candidates running for one unexpired 2-year term; and eight candidates running for four 4-year terms.

The Summit Hill race is slightly crowded and contentious, in part due to a December 2023 vote by the Board to close two of the District's schools. The school district boundaries pull students from parts of Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Mokena and Tinley Park.

One of those candidates is Adrian Chavez, who is running for a 4-year term. Chavez recently filled out the Patch candidate questionnaire, and his answers can be found below:

(If you are a candidate in the upcoming April 1 election, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com for a candidate questionnaire to share your positions with readers)

Your Name:

Adrian Chavez

Campaign website

FB: Adrian Chavez for District 161 Board of Education

Age (as of election day):

40

Town/city of residence:

Frankfort Square

School district:

161

Family. (Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share.):

All in Frankfort, Grandmother Gloria Lopez 88 years old, Parents Bartolo and Lizette Chavez, Brother Daniel and wife Sarah Chavez 2 nieces, Sister Lindsey and husband Brad Pederson niece and nephew, Wife Kerri and kids Aviana 10, Camden 10, Maksim 4.5, Joquin 3, Rio 1.5

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

My wife is a Freshman English Teacher at Joliet West H.S., otherwise no.

Education:

Bachelor's degree in communication, Minor in Marketing from WIU

Occupation. Please include years of experience:

I'm the Regional Account Manager for Ventura Foods and have been a Foodservice Industry Professional with over 25 years of experience.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

None

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

The most pressing issues facing our district are the Board of Education's Culture and its disconnect from the community. As a lifelong resident and product of the district, I fear the board has become unwelcoming and lacks transparency in its decision-making. I will foster open communication, encourage community engagement, and promote healthy discussions to ensure all voices are heard and valued. I will bring humility and a spirit of selfless service, pushing for board members to be accessible, honest, respectful, and role models for students and neighbors. Our schools reflect our community, and our students reflect the values we uphold- I will strengthen both.

Should cell phones be banned during school? Why or why not?

Yes, cell phones should be banned during school hours to empower teachers and help students stay focused and present. While cell phones are powerful tools, they also hinder social interaction, attention, and learning- and in young hands they can be harmful. Studies show that students adapt better without them and develop better independent problem-solving skills. Additionally, social media and smartphone addiction have been linked to increased anxiety, depression, and other negative effects in kids. For older students, particularly in Junior High, perhaps limited access outside of class, for after school activities and parental communications could be reasonable.

If you are a challenger, what do you bring to the board and what may you plan to change?

I bring a sorely needed outside perspective to the Board, shaped by my experience beyond the education bubble. My background in selling and promoting national brands, working with and training national restaurant chains, managing key regional accounts, navigating complex organizations, messaging, and negotiating at all levels, I understand how to cut through inefficiencies, build engagement, earn trust, and drive results. My expertise in networking across industries that impact the food supply chain has given me a deep understanding and exposure to how different sectors and industries work together- a valuable skill for improving culture within our schools and community, and exposure to the fast paced and ever-changing world outside of academia. As a first generation PROUD American from immigrant parents, I have a unique appreciation for the power of family, community, hard work, and the environments that shape us, allowing me to genuinely connect with both long-time residents and newer neighbors. My experiences outside of schools will ensure that we better serve all students, of all capacities, and message effectively with our constituents of all opinions, backgrounds, and needs.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I want to be clear that I deeply appreciate the dedication of our district's administrators and teachers- their love and commitment to our community, students' growth, safety, and fiscal responsibility. As a parent of five, I assure you that few things are more heartwarming than hearing schools, Board, administrators and others say "These are our kids." However, hear me out, with absolute love, I can assure you that every parent in the world would agree: "Thank you, but no, they're my kids first."
This is not a statement of division, rather an honest baseline. The Board I plan to serve on will ensure that parents voices are amplified because at its core, the Board of Education is accountable to the parents of the most vulnerable and affected by its decisions- your students, our children.
Our neighbors without children should and always will have a seat at the table, their perspectives are valuable and we have much to learn from and appreciate from them. Likewise, our teachers and faculty deserve the utmost trust, respect, and consideration, as they are the professionals we depend on and truly trust for guidance and the education of our children. But to truly move forward from the division and heal this district, we must foster compassionate, open communication among all parties. That starts with acknowledging why parents are, and should be, so passionate about our school's decisions and messaging.

A Board of Education must include voices beyond the field of education- it needs representation from parents who bring diverse perspectives and firsthand understanding of the challenges families face. I am the candidate that would restore that balance, own my shortcomings, start the healing, and put in the actual work of being accessible, listening and learning with grace and empathy, and ensure better messaging.

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

I've represented and sold National food and beverage brands at all capacities. I've successfully brokered international partnerships for the exportation of food products, I've trained sales teams on street selling and more complex Business to Business program selling. I've trained National Chain franchises, McDonalds, on operations across most US States, developing modules and other training tools. I manage partnerships with large regional restaurant chains, overlooking various sales teams. These experiences have honed my ability to manage multiple responsibilities, personalities, develop strong relationships, develop and refine messaging, to drive meaningful outcomes, all of which are crucial skills for serving on this Board.

Why should voters trust you?

Messaging 101, it's about knowing your audience, and I like the voters, am the audience for this Board of Education. I've lived out a very wide range of life experiences in this area, that I believe I share with most of our residents and students, from walking to Indian Trail, Dances at the Park District, playing soccer for the first time-representing Frankfort SQ (our State and then Varsity for LWC 210), biking and staying out too late by the White Hen Pantry, moving 4 times within our 161 borders, from being honor roll, to not being honor roll, attending Lincoln Way East and meeting my now wife, buying my first and maybe last home, deaths births, learning about the closing of Lincoln Way North, Virtual learning through Covid then seeing my son saddened by learning of the closing of his Frankfort Sq School on his Birthday Dec. 21st... Voters should trust me because I have District 161 in my DNA. Not only that, but my wife is a Highschool teacher that grew up in Mokena, so I do get unfiltered feedback of the experiences and challenges teachers face. I have 5 children, 4 boys that will attend and graduate from 161, and I intensely not only value the environment and experiences we as a community provide for our students but also each other. "It does take a village", and I'm unapologetically authentic, honest, and love our district.

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

Measurable and demonstrable better attendance and engagement at board meetings, from teachers, parents, neighbors (without kids in our schools), businesses, and even students alike. Hiring a new Superintendent that understands not only our schools and their needs, but the culture we have and strive for in 161.

What guidance should staff be given for dealing with potential ICE enforcement at schools?

As a first generation American, from Mexican and Cuban immigrant parents, I am extremely sensitive to and understand the concerns of immigrant families. Our priority is to ensure a safe and stable learning environment for all students and staff while also respecting federal law. Schools should comply with legal obligations when required. Staff should follow district protocols, such as deferring to legal counsel and administration, protect the learning environment, and we should provide them with clear communication and training regarding their rights and training on how to respond professionally. While abiding by federal law, we must also provide resources and guidance to families facing any challenges.

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

I feel that sex education before the Junior High Level is unnecessary, as younger students benefit more from lessons in empathy and kindness. Throughout a child's development I believe parents should have first say on what their personal children can be taught on or exposed to, ensuring education aligns with their values. At the junior High level, a basic curriculum on reproductive health and safety is appropriate, but no need for sexuality. Our schools should prioritize core subjects while reinforcing core principles like respect, acceptance, and grace. Of course, we should respect all individuals and their personal choices, but education should remain neutral, fact-based, and focused on equipping students with essential knowledge and not ideology.

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?

When it comes to student achievement, I believe that every parent in our community can agree on one fundamental goal: ensuring our kids are fully prepared for the next grade level and, ultimately, for success beyond school. To accomplish this, we must stay laser-focused on core tested subjects (THE BASICS), while reinforcing time management, discipline, and academic rigor. Together we should explore proven strategies, like Ronnie Petrey pointed out, by learning from our sister districts- to set clear benchmark targets, and challenges, that drive meaningful and measurable growth for all students.

One area, thankfully Patrick Oliphant pointed out about me, is that I believe we should explore multilingual learning opportunities. Almost all districts have English as a second language programs (ESL), but as someone who operates in the private sector, I can personally attest that technology, international commerce, and cultural trends have made our world that much smaller and more interconnected than ever. And that in fact will not slow down. One of the greatest gifts my parents, a refugee from Cuba and Immigrant from Mexico, gave me was Spanish as my first language. Not only has this unlocked professional opportunities and experiences I wouldn't have had otherwise, but research has consistently shown that bilingualism enhances cognitive development, problem-solving skills, and adaptability.

It's a fact, ALL countries that outperform us academically average more than 2 spoken languages per student, with a key factor: they introduce these programs as early as possible, making it easier for those little minds to absorb and internalize while in the chapter when they're most learning how to communicate! We should consider successful immersion programs, like those at Little Bulgaria Center in Des Plaines that I personally met with, which have helped children become proficient in both Bulgarian and English through after-school and weekend programs for their youngest children.
By focusing on academic excellence, skill building, and forward thinking opportunities like multilingual education, we can ensure our students have the tools to compete and thrive in an ever-evolving world.

Our schools have fantastic teachers and resources, and our grades have been recovering post-Covid. I believe we do a great job recognizing achievement and offering accelerated programs for top performers. However, accelerated programs. I would like to see improvement in holistic student development- such as addressing mental health, social skills, definitely physical health, and character building'-such as respect, responsibility, and resilience. I believe we have ground to make on our community engagement, from volunteering to organized social gatherings at our awesome parks or common areas to field trips to our local business if only for exposure, keeping safety at top of mind. Technology is evolving rapidly, and I feel we should work more with our teachers explore and embrace innovative technology to make doing what they do so great, easier! Finally, we need to commit energy and resources to supporting the middle and lower performing students understanding their challenges and creating strategies to help them enjoy learning and unlock their unique potential.

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

None.

Frankfort Election Guide: What’s On The Ballot, What To Know

Here is a look at the candidates for Summit Hill District 161:

• Board Member, unexpired 2-year term (vote for one)
  • Katie Campbell (incumbent)
  • Melissa Ryan
• Board member, four-year term (vote for four)
  • Stefanie McCleish (incumbent)
  • Amy Berk (incumbent)
  • Adrian Chavez
  • Patrick Oliphant
  • Ronnie Petrey
  • Jim Martin (incumbent)
  • Cicily Gant
  • Bill Curtin