Jill Beda Daniels, Lyons Township High School Candidate

LA GRANGE, IL — Incumbent Jill Beda Daniels is one of seven candidates for three seats on the Lyons Township High School board. Here are her responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Jill Beda Daniels

Town of residence:

La Grange

Age:

49

Campaign contact email:

jill.daniels@gmail.com

Campaign website:

www.JillBedaDanielsforLT204.co...

Family:

Husband Peter Daniels, 4 children, Harper, Eby, Fisher and Tate Daniels

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

Juris Doctorate -- Loyola Law School

Occupation:

Attorney

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Current School Board Member for LTHS School Board

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is implementing our Strategic Plan, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Our most pressing issue is implementing our Strategic Plan, including critical updates to our aging infrastructure. This is the most challenging part due to the costs involved. Our challenge as a Board is to find a way to finance this in a way that is fair and equitable for the entire District.

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

Experience. I have served LT over the past two years, helping guide important changes and improvements including: LT’s Strategic Plan and policies designed to help close the achievement gap.

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

In 2021, I was elected to the LT Board. Like now, this was a time of turmoil and change. The Pandemic was creating major disruptions, the community was grappling with racial tensions, and the achievement gap was at the forefront of discussions. Working with my fellow Board members and the Administration, we helped guide the district through these issues. This included bringing our students back into the classroom, hiring a Director of Equity and Belonging, and implementing curriculum changes including a co-taught model and an improved EL program. Working with the community, we developed a Strategic Plan which guides LT’s direction over the next several years. We accomplished a lot of good things and I am eager to see them through over the next four years.

What can the school do to counteract dropping standardized test scores?

Like students across Illinois, LT students are still recovering from the devastating impact of the pandemic. Scores are down across the state. Still, the data shows that LT has traditionally lagged behind peer districts, like Hinsdale Central, primarily due to an achievement/opportunity gap. We are working hard to close that gap, in part by improving LT’s EL program. Additionally, a co-taught model has been implemented which is amazing for so many students.

Do you generally support the work of the school district's administration? Why or why not?

Yes, the Administration has made great strides over the two years in which I have served as an LT Board member.

How do you view Lyons Township High School's handling of the sale of its Willow Springs land? Has the school district been open enough with the public about the process? Why or why not?

A potential sale can bring valuable resources to our district and community. As a board we are driven by our strategic plan which was implemented with the vision of all stakeholders (community, teachers, students and administration). A sale for this property would allow LTHS to make key investments in our facilities which is part of Goal Five of our Strategic Plan. Such improvements will benefit students in many significant ways, giving them opportunities and resources which our current facilities do not offer -- the range of possibilities is exciting for all. Using our current resources to achieve this without a referendum is impactful for all in our District.

A public school considering a transaction like this one has to strike a difficult balance, keeping our constituents informed while keeping some discussions confidential from potential buyers. The LT Board has engaged with members of the community on this issue and will continue to do so. At the same time, the Board must also be able to have candid discussions about negotiations that would damage the District if shared with potential buyers. We have worked very hard to be as transparent as possible while protecting the District, consulting with attorneys at all times.

What is your view of critical race theory? Is it being taught in the local schools? If so, what evidence do you have of that?

“Critical Race Theory” is a 40 year old legal concept and is not something that has ever been taught at LT. There are those who would use the term “Critical Race Theory” as a scare tactic to undermine diversity and inclusion efforts, erase history, even ban books. We should be direct and honest when discussing our curriculum, including when it bears on traditionally marginalized groups. It is important the discussion include the views of everyone who lives in our community.

What is your view of sex education in local schools? Should an LGBT component be included? Why or why not?

Sex education should continue to be a voluntary part of LT’s curriculum. Parents should continue to have the freedom to opt their own children out, should they choose. LGBT people are valued members of our community and have historically faced prejudice, marginalization, and worse, self-harm. Education is the key to combating this. Learning and demystifying allows
us to live with and accept one another, valuing our strengths instead of dividing us with differences.

Will you take questions from the media if you are elected?

As an elected school board member, the Board President speaks for all the board.

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

I foresee no reason as I cannot serve a full term and with owning my own law firm I have flexibility to serve and be available, as I have been as an incumbent.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Be true to yourself.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a long time member of this community, this is the place we chose to raise our children. My family reflects the diversity of this community: we are LGTB, African-American, National Merit Scholar Runner Up, autistic, athletic and artistic, college-educated and not. I am grateful for the support and opportunities the District has given to us over the years and I would like to give something back. That is why I originally chose to run two years ago and the reason I am running again.

I am excited about the progress we have made over the past two years and looking forward to seeing it continue. After a thorough process that involved a lot of community engagement, we completed a Strategic Plan that will guide LT for the next three to five years. We worked with the administration to improve our curriculum, incorporating a co-taught model and the continued improvement to the EL program as well as many facilities improvements including almost 7 million spent on air conditioning for 64 classrooms and many exciting things to come.
I am running as an incumbent, having spent the past two years serving on LT’s board. I am also the only attorney on the Board and no other attorneys are running. My experience as an attorney gives me a unique perspective on the challenges and issues Board members face.