Stefanie McCleish: 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 Stefanie McCleish, who is an incumbent running for a 4-year term. McCleish recently filled out the Patch candidate questionnaire, and her answers can be found below:

Name:

Stefanie McCleish

Campaign website:

Citizens for 161 Excellence (facebook)
https://www.facebook.com/share...

Age (as of election day):

40

Town/city of residence:

Frankfort

School district:

Summit Hill School District 161

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

Kevin (38 years old, married for 10 1/2 years)
Blair (9 years old)
Finn (7years old)

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

I am the only person in my family who has ever run for office. My husband and I are both employed as public school educators.

Education:

MASTER'S DEGREE
Communication Studies
Eastern Illinois University

MASTER'S DEGREE
School Administration
Governor’s State University

BACHELOR OF ART
English Education
Illinois State University

Occupation. Please include years of experience.:

High School English Educator, 17 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Summit Hill 161 School Board Member

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 student success and well-being. Now that we have consolidated our buildings and resources, our district can offer increased support to better serve students. We can expand our accelerated and enrichment programs to our younger grades, we can offer more support for our growing EL(English Language Learner) population, and we can focus on specific grade cohorts to improve academic achievement. Recently, I proposed the idea of creating a task force with other neighboring feeder districts to specifically look at test scores in the 4th, 5th, and 6th grade levels. Additionally, our district is already doing an excellent job providing Social and Emotional support to ensure our students have the tools to navigate conflict, speak up against bullying, and make responsible choices. The mental and physical safety of our students is of the utmost importance. Not only should we continue to enhance security measures, we must also continue to help students cope with challenges and achieve goals.

Additionally maintaining financial stability is crucial for a school district. With uncertainty at the federal level it is even more important that our district remains financially sound. Luckily only about 5% of our funding comes from the federal level. Prior to my time on the board, our district was under financial review. Now, after consolidation of schools and paying down one million dollars of bond debt, we have the highest financial rating possible and most recently received a perfect score on our ISBE School District Financial Profile. The district is on track to be debt free by 2027 with no intentions of incurring more. These moves help alleviate some of the burden from our taxpayers and ensure that our funding reaches our students in the most effective manner.

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

I believe every district should have a policy regarding cell phones not being out in academic spaces. Most districts already have something like this in place. District 161’s policy 7:190 establishes that phones are to be off and in lockers or backpacks. According to a Pew research study, 72% of high school teachers identified cell phone distraction as a “major problem” in their classroom. While we are an elementary district, healthy boundaries and limiting digital distractions need to begin early. These habits will inevitably help both teachers and students focus and enjoy more success. I do not believe an all out ban would be appropriate or feasible, but I definitely support learning communities tailoring their policies to meet their specific needs. Students should still be able to have access to phones in an emergency, for medical reasons such as diabetic monitoring, to fulfill IEP or 504 accommodations, and other exceptions when necessary.

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

I am a current incumbent running for re-election.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

My platform is student focused - we currently have the highest test scores in ten years. I want to continue to support our teachers as experts in their field and support the important work they are doing in their classrooms. While our scores are on the rise, there is certainly always room to grow. By focusing on our cohorts that are not seeing as much growth and creating a task force with other neighboring districts, we can continue to find more ways to help all of our students succeed. Additionally, fiscal responsibility remains at the forefront of my platform. The district will be debt free by 2027 with no plans to incur more. As a district, we can live within our means and not burden our taxpayers. Finally, I plan to continue to find ways to expand opportunities for feedback and voice. I heard this as a desire of many of our constituents and worked hard to research, propose, and assist in implementing all of the following: Community Outreach Committee, Student Board Members, Student Experience Committees at each school, and our Parent Guardian Academy.

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

I am extremely proud of the work I have accomplished in my past four years on the board. I researched, proposed, and implemented Student Board members. These eighth graders sit at the board table with us and engage in the conversation. While they are not able to vote, they bring important insights from the student perspective. Additionally, I co-chair the Community Outreach Committee which has also brought for a wealth of feedback and has led to implementation of new ideas and approaches. I suggested student experience committees at each individual school as well. These committees have allowed parents to have their forces heard at a building level and have also brought a great deal of new ideas and perspectives. I have also brought forth the idea of a Parent Guardian Academy with fellow board member Joy Murphy which involves evening sessions hosted by administrators and outside speakers to bring relevant information to parents in our district. I have a track record of asking questions, doing my research, and making data-driven decisions based on what is best for all students.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I do my research, ask questions, talk to the community, talk to teachers, and weigh all of the pros and cons of every single decision before I vote. I do not shy away from difficult decisions, and consider what is best for students as my guiding compass. I maintain integrity and civility in both my words and actions, which ensure I can go to sleep with a clear conscience. Ever since my first day as an educator, I have been trusted to provide the best educational experiences for my students. As a recent recipient of the Illinois State University Alumni in Teaching Excellence award, I feel affirmed in that work and hold steadfast to that mission.

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

My success as a board member cannot be measured by individual accomplishments, but instead measured by our students’ collective success. This position is not about me, but has always been and will always be about our students. Their success is the most important measure for me. If they are finding academic and personal success, if they feel loved and supported, if they feel like they have a plethora of opportunities, that to me is success.

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

In the event ICE shows up anywhere within our District, the administration has been directed to send these personnel to the District Office, where the superintendent will examine their documents, warrants, the information being requested, and contact
legal. To date, we have not had this occur.

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

I support our current district policies and staff practices found in board policies 6:50-6:60 on these topics. I trust our educators to make and tailor the curriculum in age appropriate, inclusive, and factually-based manners. All students should feel safe, seen and valued in our classrooms. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, research demonstrates that instruction for students in all grades under the umbrella of personal health and safety and sexual health education – when done comprehensively – promotes self-confidence and a sense of belonging, and can prevent health problems and many forms of violence. Parents are always welcome to opt their student out of sex education instruction if they so choose.

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?

There is so much our district should be proud of. Our scores are the highest they have been in ten years. These results reflect the dedication of our educators, who have continually engaged in curriculum pools and adoptions, including ELA, Math, and most recently, Science. It’s evident that our teachers are experts who understand the lessons and skills our students need to thrive and succeed. Across all of the feeders there is an evident dip in scores happening from 4th to 5th grade. I have suggested creating a task force with these neighboring districts to investigate why this is happening on a broad basis. Additionally, certain cohorts of students are experiencing more growth than others. I believe we can further utilize our instructional coaches and specialists to more directly target these cohorts and offer further support and engagement.

Both of my children have had amazing experiences in our schools with each and every teacher, librarian, social worker, administrator, instructional coach, and staff member. They have been a part of multiple clubs, activities, and events offered by the district. Our staff is incredible and deserves all the praise for their passion, dedication, and expertise. Our district is amazing because of them.

I am committed to focusing on our students moving forward. I would like to see more support and focus on our growing population of EL students, literacy standards, and expanding our gifted offerings as well. No student should fall through the cracks under our watch.

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

As my track record has shown for the last four years, I have and continue to be committed to this role. In my four years on the board, I have missed only one meeting. My family is extremely proud of how I have served and support my decision to run for reelection. My children will be in the district for years to come and I plan to continue to be involved in any way possible.

(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)

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