Nicole Queen, District 157-C Board Of Education Candidate

FRANKFORT, IL —Nicole Queen is a candidate for Frankfort District 157-C Board of Education. There are nine candidates running for four open positions in this race.

The consolidated election is April 4.

Queen's answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire can be found below:

Your name:

Nicole Queen

Age (as of election day):

38

Town/city of residence:

Frankfort

School district:

157C

Family:

I’m the proud wife of a first responder. We have been married for 14 years and residents of Frankfort for 8 years. We have 3 kids in the district. Isabella is 11 and in 5th grade at Chelsea Intermediate. Adalyn is 9 and in 4th grade at Chelsea Intermediate. And Kaden is 7 and in 1st grade at Grand Prairie Elementary.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

Since there is no question about school or community involvement, I’ll put it here. I am The Co-Vice President of our district's Education Foundation. We raise money to fulfill teacher written grants throughout our district. I volunteer with hot lunches for our FSP and Education Foundation booster clubs. I am a cheerleading coach with the Frankfort Falcons and volunteer with the kids ministry at Parkview Christian Church on the weekends.

Occupation:

I am a stay at home mom to our 3 kids.

Campaign website or Facebook*

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090082413216

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

None

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

I think the biggest challenge I see the schools facing over the next 4 years is sex education. The governor recently passed a bill that mandates schools in Illinois to implement curriculum teaching sex ed starting in kindergarten and as a school board member I would use my influence to become educated on this curriculum and work with our district curriculum director to ensure our kids learn about this at an appropriate age. I would also be transparent to the parents that this is something on the table to make sure they’re aware of and would like to hear their feedback.

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

The critical differences between me and the other candidates is that I am not a politician or businesswoman. I am a MOM and that makes me the most relatable. I won’t have the most educated answers but I am the one who is most involved with the kids in their element as a regular volunteer in the schools.

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

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

I want to be a voice for the parents in our district. I want them to always feel heard.

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

N/A

Why should voters trust you?

As a stay at home mom I am very involved in the schools and that allows me to see first hand what the kids need. I will always put the kids best interest before anything else.

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

N/A

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

N/A

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

For the most part I think they handled it well. We were one of the first and only schools in our area to be in the building learning.

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?

Allow for there to be a question with response section to meetings or have a separate public meeting for discussion between parents and the board. Parents didn’t feel heard and they felt their rights as parents were taken away.

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

I feel our district teaches sex Ed at an age appropriate level. I do not feel LGBTQ should be included due to my beliefs as a Christian.

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

I think it’s important that people should be aware of each other in order to build a better society.

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

Yes.

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?

Our schools are amazing and it’s why people move to Frankfort. Our teachers and staff truly care about our kids and they go above and beyond learning standards to prepare our kids to have a bright future.

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 ____________

Never quit on a bad day.