Nicholas Kolliniatis, Homer D33C Board of Education Candidate

HOMER GLEN, IL — Nicholas Kolliniatis is a candidate for Homer District 33C Board of Education. There are six candidates running for three open positions in the race.

The consolidated election is April 4.

Kolliniatis' answers to the Patch candidate questionnaire can be found below (update: Kolliniatis submitted further answers on March 7):

Your name:

Nicholas

Age (as of election day):

45

Town/city of residence:

Lockport

School district:

33C

Family:

wife and 2 kids

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

no

Education:

Bachelor: Biology, Master's: Teaching

Occupation:

21 [years]

Campaign website or Facebook:

https://wetheparentsillinois.com/homer-33c

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.

The catalyst that inspired me to run for board was the importance of medical choice for parents. I don't know what the future holds in regards to vaccination status for students, but I want to be on the board if that issue does arise. There are many universities that require both the covid vaccine and booster for entrance into their institution. Personally, I feel everyone has a right to their own opinions, and everyone has to make their own choice which should be between them and their doctor. I want parents to make all decisions in regards to doing whatever is best for their child when it comes to all medical decisions.

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

Being a teacher has given me the knowledge and experience to provide valuable insight. I also played college soccer where I learned the importance of teamwork. I look forward to working on a team for school board 33C. I can't wait to set goals with my boardmates and find different pathways to accomplish our goals.

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

I did not agree with most of the decisions that were made during Covid. Based on my experience as a science teacher for over 20 years, I did not feel the approach to Covid was the right one. With all the data and articles I read, I always thought the mental impact and social isolation would be far worse for the children in both the short and long term. There are so many things that I would have done differently. My focus now is that we get to our pre-pandemic status and that we don't repeat mistakes that were made in the past.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Test scores and academic performance have declined in essentially every school across the U.S. since the pandemic. I want to make sure we are giving the students and teachers all the support they need to get back to the academic success we had pre-covid.

Teachers are leaving this profession at an astonishing rate. I want to make sure that we retain our teachers and create an environment where new teachers want to start their careers.. The quality of teachers is the single most important factor that ensures academic success. I want to make sure the teachers are supported and given the necessary resources to do their job. As a result of this the students will benefit the most!

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

N/A

Why should voters trust you?

I have two children currently in the district. Like all parents, I want a quality education for them and all children in our district. I will make decisions that ensure that they have a safe and productive environment. I want to make a positive impact with decisions that will not only benefit the students of today but also leave a lasting effect for future students.

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

Improved academic performance and celebrating student success!

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

It’s very important that decisions are fiscally responsible. That being said, there will be some very important decisions coming up. The teachers' contracts are coming up soon. Also, given the population growth in the district, we may soon be facing space issues which could ultimately impact student learning. There will be some very critical financial decisions coming up. I will ensure that the best decisions for the students, teachers and communities will be made.

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

As stated above, I did not agree with the decisions the board made in regards to Covid.

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?

I am a huge believer in transparency- we might not always agree but everyone's voice should be heard, and as a board member explaining the WHY in a decision is very important

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

As a science instructor, it has been my experience that sex education has been a part of reproductive science. That is, it has always been based on students gaining knowledge of how our species continues in the world. It has never been based on sexuality and sexual preference. That is a conversation for students to have at home with their families, or in the privacy of a social worker’s office. It should only take place at the request of individual students for the support they/their families think they need.

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

To my knowledge there’s no evidence of CRT being taught in our schools. I do not plan on changing that.

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

I was raised by a Mexican mother and a Greek immigrant father, so as a minority, I was immersed in both cultures, and my parents always emphasized the importance of maintaining our customs within our home. They also took pride in their adopted country and the opportunities it presented them and everyone fortunate enough to live here. I feel that the same opportunities are afforded to every child in public education. The opportunity for success is there. It is up to each individual to avail themselves of all this great country has to offer.

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?

Personally, we have loved our experience with all the teachers and administrators the district has. One of my main goals is to return the overall academic success to the same level it was pre pandemic. Also, getting teachers input is an important goal of mine. I would love to work collaboratively with teachers, administrators, and the board on how to reach the schools highest potential.

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

None

The best advice ever shared with me was:

I have friends who are board members in other districts- they have said don't make any decisions until you get all the information.