Meghan McMillin: Candidate For West Northfield School District 31

NORTHBROOK, IL — Ahead of the April 4 consolidated municipal elections, Northbrook Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Five candidates, including an official write-in candidate, are vying for three seats on the West Northfield School District 31 Board of Education on Election Day. Current board members Daphne Frank and Melissa Choo Valentinas are not running for reelection when their terms ends next month. The candidates that will be on the ballot are:

• Maria Vasilopoulos, current member (terms ends in 2023)
• Noah Frank
• Elizabeth Kim (write-in candidate)
• Meghan McMillin
• Nick Parfitt

Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Meghan McMillin

Age (as of election day)

43

Town/city of residence

Glenview

School district

West Northfield School District 31

Family

Husband, Bill McMillin. Son, Dillon, kindergartner at Winkelman. Daughter, Hannah, 3rd grader at Winkelman. I also have a stepson and stepdaughter, both in college.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

BS, Hospitality, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. MS in Human Nutrition, University of Illinois at Chicago

Occupation

Registered Dietitian, 10 years and International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, 4 years. Previously hotel and restaurant management for 5+ years

Campaign website

https://www.facebook.com/unite...

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 believe the most pressing issue facing our district in the near future is staffing - both teachers and support staff. With an incredibly diverse community, comes additional needs and the responsibility to be able to meet those needs. As of the fall of 2022, 25% of our student population identified as English Learners. Additionally, 14% of our students have an IEP, a 504 plan or both. Providing all of our students with quality teachers, staff and support services is essential to their academic success, and the future success of our district. We need to ensure that our schools are staffed appropriately, so that our students will receive the services they deserve, and our staff feels supported.

We will need to take a hard look at the long-term staffing needs of our district as we continue to grow, and find reasonable solutions to balance the budget that don't compromise the needs of our students. When elected, I will work hard to advocate for policies, curriculum, and a budget that ensures ALL students are able to reach their full potential, and that our teachers have the tools they need to do so.

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

A 10 year career in healthcare is one of the critical differences that sets me apart from the other candidates. Having worked in a NICU for 5 years, I have the ability to manage complex situations and to think critically about solutions and best outcomes. As a healthcare provider, I will advocate for the well-being and safety not only of our students, but our teachers and staff as well.
This experience and knowledge, provides a valuable and unique perspective when it comes to setting forth health and safety policies, and aligning with the district’s strategic plan.
Additionally, I am the only candidate, and if elected, will be the only board member that is a resident of Glenview and the only one with children slated to go to Glenbrook South High School. I think this is an important detail, and matters when it comes to representation of our district on the school board.

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

I do not consider myself a challenger as there are two open seats, since two board members are not seeking re-election.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

The physical health and safety, as well as the mental well-being, of our students and staff are a top priority to me. As our children spend more than 35 hours per week in school, it's imperative that they feel safe, welcomed and included. I believe our district has done some positive things in this area, but there is more I'd like to see done.

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

Working with families who are in an extremely vulnerable position in my profession has taught me how to assess critical situations, how to communicate effectively and how to collaborate with others in order to achieve the best possible outcomes. Additionally, as a business owner, I am motivated and ambitious. I have excellent time management skills, am highly organized and understand the need for fiscal responsibility. As Co-President of the District 31 PTO for the past two years, I have forged relationships with parents, teachers, administration, and staff in almost every department in the district. All of these accomplishments and experiences will transfer to successful governance on the school board.

Why should voters trust you?

I hope I have earned the trust of the voters by demonstrating a strong commitment to, and passion for, our school district. With young children in the district, I have a vested interest in its future success. During the height of the pandemic, I worked as a substitute teacher in order to help keep our buildings open and are kids in school. I have volunteered in our district in numerous capacities and have served 3 years on the PTO executive board, including the past two years as the Co-President.

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

Ongoing successful implementation of the 5 year Strategic Plan would be one measurable marker of success for me. A strengthened sense of pride and community in our district would also be a successful outcome for me.

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

I take fiscal responsibility very seriously and believe that the appropriate management of the District's finances is critical for ongoing support of our schools and academic success. I know the recent increase in the property tax levy was not a decision the current board took lightly and is reflective of current inflation and increasing costs in almost every consumer good and service. The tax levy is reviewed every year and I am confident that it will be adjusted accordingly when the time comes.

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

I believe that our district handled the COVID-19 pandemic as best it could with the information and guidance that was available at the time. I commend them for making tough decisions during a time that was uncertain and unprecedented, with data that was constantly changing. I wholeheartedly believe our district and administration had the best interest of our staff and students at the forefront of every decision they made during that time. We were one of only a handful of districts that managed to safely offer full-time, in-person learning during the 2020-2021 school year. I believe that by offering a choice between going in-person or doing remote learning showed a level of understanding of the diverse needs of the families in our district.

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?

Even during times of great uncertainty and with topics that can cause big emotions, we must remain civil and respectful in our discussions. Our school board has policies currently in place regarding public comment and those policies should continue to be enforced. As adults, we need to remember that our children are watching and listening.

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

Sex education that is age-appropriate and evidence-based should be a part of a comprehensive curriculum in public schools. Such curriculum helps our students make informed and healthy decisions about their bodies. Again, taking age into consideration, the curriculum should be inclusive and representative of all our students. Sex education curriculum is always meant to be in addition to what is being taught at home, and parents always have the option to opt their students out if they so choose.

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

Critical race theory is a college level course and is not being taught in our schools. I do believe that providing diverse perspectives on American history, and historical world events, is an important part of a comprehensive, quality education. Learning about other cultures, other viewpoints, and other traditions teaches our children to be empathetic, kind, curious and critical thinkers, which are lifelong skills for success.

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 do believe the current board has done a good job in continuing to support racial equity in our school district. Equity audits were conducted during the 2020-2021 school year. Diversity, equity and inclusion are key focuses in the District's 5 year strategic plan. The district has an active Bilingual Parent Advisory Council to help with continuity of support for our EL learners. Additionally, the district has placed an emphasis on culturally responsive teaching by having our teachers participate in professional learning related to equity and inclusion. Having said all this, this work is ongoing and needs to remain at the forefront of the decisions of our administration and school board.

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?

We are fortunate to live in an area with a reputation for excellent schools and District 31 is no different. Our students continue to excel in academics, athletics, and the arts. As a member of the school board, I would continue to use data, evidence based research and input from parents and other members of the community, in order to continue to provide a wide-variety of opportunities for our students to succeed.

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 ____________

The advice I always try to live by is to "be yourself". In being true to myself, my values and my beliefs, I know that I will govern with integrity. Being myself means sharing my talents, my experiences and my ideas in order to help ensure our district remains special and successful for many years to come.