Vasilios Soupos: Candidate For Glenview School District 34

GLENVIEW, 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 Glenview Community Consolidated School District 34 Board of Education on Election Day. Current Vice President John Heggie, Secretary Michael Korman and Natalie Jachtorowycz are not running for reelection. The following candidates will be on the ballot:

• Scott Nelson, current president (term ends in 2023)
• Alex Kamilewicz
• Julie Moon
• Jennifer Patel
• Vasilios Soupos

The Glenview District 34 Caucus is endorsing the campaigns of Nelson, Kamilewicz, Moon and Soupos.

Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Vasilios Soupos

Age (as of election day)

45

Town/city of residence

Glenview

School district

Glenview Community Consolidated School District 34

Family

Joanna Soupos (wife, 43), Valentina Soupos (daughter 13), Eliana Soupos (daughter, 8), Ares Soupos (son, 6)

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

Executive MBA (Northwestern Kellogg School of Management, 2021), Master of Chemical Engineering (Illinois Institute of Technology, 2006), Bachelor's in Chemical Engineering ( Illinois Institute of Technology, 2000)

Occupation

Director of Product Compliance Engineering, Instant Brands

Campaign website

I do not have one

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.

1) financial pressures - I plan to look at expenses carefully and to make sure that the tax revenues are used effectively while getting the most benefit for our student population
2) Equitable distribution of resources - I plan to look at all resource allocations to ensure that as many students as possible receive the tools and support they need to succeed academically.

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

I have not held any office in the past, I am coming into this with a fresh perspective.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

Mental health of students is another topic I am heavily invested in

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

I am a current board member of the City Colleges of Chicago “Engineering Pathways”. This program enables students from all backgrounds and financial means to pursue a university degree in Engineering from prestigious universities without imposing an undue financial burden on them.

Why should voters trust you?

I have two young children in D34, one in kindergarten and another in 2nd grade. I am personally invested in seeing this district provide the best possible education to its students and set them up for future success.

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

High standardized test score averages, high retention of talent and improvement of school ratings

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

My view is that the board has been a good steward of taxpayer money given the inflationary pressures and economic downturn. The district has also done a good job prioritizing or even postponing the various renovation projects to be mindful of spending during this uncertain economic period.

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

Given the unknowns associated with this new virus, the district handled the pandemic in a safe manner by following CDC guidelines. When it comes to human health its always prudent to take the safe approach.

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?

Using online platforms such as Zoom is one way to ensure efficient yet open communication

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

The district already provides sex education to the higher grades that need to be opted in by the parents. This is a good approach.

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

My view is that CRT has to be better defined and explained to the parent population before a decision like this takes place.

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, the district has done a great job with this

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?

My only experience has been with Westbrook where I can say that the students are receiving the support they need to meet or exceed academic standards. By contrast, my oldest did her Kindergarten year at a private school and the gap in knowledge between her experience and the experience my son is receiving in Westbrook is astonishing. WB is doing a much better job

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

No reason not to finish the term

The best advice ever shared with me was ____________

One of my professors used to say “You must do the right thing because it’s the right thing to do” That saying has stayed with me ever since.