Nadine Scodro, Candidate For CHSD 230 School Board: Election 2025

ORLAND PARK, IL — Nadine Scodro is running with the 230 United party for the Consolidated High School Dist. 230 Board of Education in the April 1 election. Early voting starts March 17 through March 31.

Name

Nadine Scodro

Campaign website

230United

Campaign social media (include links for Facebook, Instagram, etc.)

230United Facebook, 230United Instagram

Town/city of residence

Orland Park

School district

CHSD 230

Family

I have been a part of the D230 community my entire life, growing up in Palos Heights and recently moving to Orland Park. I am a Carl Sandburg alumna and the proud mother of three daughters who graduated from A.A. Stagg High School.

Education

I hold a B.A. in Education from National-Louis University (formerly National College of Education). Additionally, I have pursued coursework in Political Science at Moraine Valley Community College and Eastern Illinois University.

Occupation

I recently returned to work at Running for Kicks in Palos Heights. Prior to this, I served as an Advocacy and Community Outreach Specialist at Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS, where I collaborated with government affairs directors to advocate on behalf of members and property owners. I also worked as a Government Affairs Manager at the Naperville Chamber of Commerce, advocating for small businesses and facilitating connections with local, state, and federal officials.

Previous or current elected or appointed office

I served 16 years as an elected member of the Palos Dist. 118 School Board, including four years as board president.

I was appointed to the D230 School Board in January 2024.

The most pressing issues facing our district are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

Student school attendance became a national concern after COVID. While student attendance has improved dramatically in the last couple of years, it remains a priority. In order for students to perform at the highest level, they must be present in class. The D230 board targeted attendance as an area to watch and administration is currently engaged in new programs to target affected students, work with parents, and identify resources to increase attendance and obtain those positive outcomes.

Hard-to-fill positions have come to the forefront as well, particularly in languages and our trade based programs. There is legislation in Springfield currently that provides reasonable exceptions for those with experience to more easily fill these important roles in our schools. Along with school administrators, I will work with SCOPE and IASB to support this legislation.
Attracting and retaining highly qualified educators is a critical issue for our district.

Our highly qualified district educators are frequently recruited by other districts. With the passage of a new teacher contract offering competitive wages and benefits, D230 is better positioned to retain top-tier educators and recruit the best new talent. This agreement enhances our ability to maintain a strong, dedicated staff while ensuring financial stability. By providing fair compensation to our staff, we strengthen our reputation as a destination district, which not only benefits our students but also helps support and sustain high property values in our communities. The contract does not raise taxes or require deficit spending.

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

While I’m not a challenger in this election, I believe it’s important to recognize that this question asks candidates to speculate on perceived failures without the full context of board discussions, constraints, and long-term planning. As a sitting board member, I’ve seen firsthand the dedication, careful deliberation, and commitment required to balance the needs of students, staff, and taxpayers. Many decisions involve complex factors that may not always be visible to the broader community, which is why a full understanding of the district’s responsibilities and challenges is essential.

Additionally, some candidates may compare D230 to districts with different demographics to suggest we are falling short. While continuous improvement is always a priority, such comparisons can be misleading. Meaningful progress comes from thoughtful evaluation and fair assessments that take into account the unique strengths and challenges of our district. Those who have not served on a school board or public body may find it easy to cite faults like fiscal irresponsibility or low test scores.

However, firsthand experience reveals the increasingly significant obstacles districts face— a steady stream of unfunded mandates from the state, the State of Illinois’s woefully inadequate financial support for public schools, and the ongoing challenge of balancing the needs of all community members.
Furthermore, after reviewing the platforms of other candidates, I’ve found that many of the goals and ideas they propose are already in place and actively being implemented within the district.

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

I bring 17 years of elected school board experience, including serving as board president of Palos #118 during COVID, overseeing Blue Ribbon school recognition, and leading a Pre-K/Kindergarten expansion without a tax increase. My leadership at Palos #118 aided the district in obtaining its first-ever Recognition Award from the Illinois Association of School Boards.

At D230, I have advocated for increased transparency, including livestreaming board meetings, and negotiated contracts that retain high-quality educators while maintaining financial stability. I don’t rest on past accomplishments—I actively challenge my fellow board members to explore new ideas, think creatively, and push our team to grow in all aspects of school board service. I
believe continuous improvement is key to ensuring the best outcomes for our students, staff, and community.

Representation from all three high schools is essential—I am the only candidate with personal ties to A.A. Stagg High School, where my children attended and where I served on the Parent Climate Committee.
Additionally, my background in advocacy sets me apart. As the D230 representative at IASB and SCOPE, I keep the board informed on legislation and work with association lobbyists to advocate for policies that support both schools and taxpayers.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Maintaining a balanced budget and providing as much relief for taxpayers as is possible is always a focal point. I was proud that as a board, we were able to decrease the district tax rate while supporting our teachers with a fair contract. As a fellow taxpayer, these are outcomes that affect us all, the value of our homes, and the climate in which we live.

There is a delicate balance in maintaining and elevating a highly recognized school district while respecting taxpayers. While student achievement is discussed in the board room, so is fiscal responsibility and what can be done to eliminate any waste.

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

17 years of school board service on two highly successful boards - D230 and Palos Dist. 118 - that represent top-tiered schools creating communities with high property values that families want to be a part of.

During my 4 years as the Palos #118 School Board President, I implemented the following:

■ New school board onboard training for new members
■ Spearheaded the first-ever Board self-evaluation process at Palos #118 ■ Conceived and implemented a collaborative forum between the Palos #118 school board, the Superintendent, and the Illinois Association of School
Boards to develop a forward-thinking and highly productive Superintendent evaluation tool
■ Worked with Palos #118 administrators to bring the first-ever Strategic Plan process to the #118 community
■ The programs mentioned above brought about the first-ever IASB School Board Recognition Award to Palos #118
■ Current member and former Executive Committee member of SCOPE (South Cooperative Organization of Public Education)
■ Current Advocacy Ambassador to IASB
■ Vice Chair - D230 Student Support Committee
■ Representative to all - I have no personal agenda as a school board member. My goal has always been to serve in the best interest of the entire school district
including students, staff, and taxpayers, including those who do not have children in our schools.
My former positions in advocacy and community building also serve as evidence, as perseverance is required in those roles to obtain positive outcomes.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I am committed to serving the best interests of our students, families, and community. My decisions are guided by what will best support student success and the long-term strength of our district. I have no personal agenda and am not affiliated with any municipal candidates—my focus is solely on ensuring D230 remains a top-tier district for both students and taxpayers. The same can be said for the rest of the 230 United slate including Chris Kasmer, Sue Dalton, and Mark Kelly. I have worked personally with each of my teammates and find that we share a love of community and commitment to service over self. We want nothing more than to serve and improve our D230 community.

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

A successful term would mean D230 continues providing a high-quality education while maintaining financial stability. This includes ensuring strong student outcomes, and supporting initiatives that keep our district moving forward—such as anticipating and preparing students for careers that don’t currently exist. Additionally, I would continue to advocate for more favorable TIF legislation that benefits both communities and fellow taxing districts. By working collaboratively with board members, administrators, and the community, we can uphold the district’s strong reputation and long-term success.

Ultimately, I will consider my term a success by encouraging my fellow board members to continuously seek improvement and innovation, both fiscally and academically, take thoughtful risks, and work together to make our board and district the best they can be.

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

The district has established policies and procedures in place to handle situations involving ICE enforcement, ensuring compliance with all legal requirements while prioritizing the safety and well-being of our students. Supports and guidance are in place for district staff should a situation present itself.

Is the high school teaching critical race theory, Marxism or any other ideologies and what should be done about it?

The D230 curriculum focuses on providing students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success outside high school. While these various ideologies may come up in a particular class discussion, they are not a part of the district curriculum.

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

I am a proponent of the D230 cell phone policy that allows for teacher discretion while aligning with the unique culture of each D230 school. Cubbies are available for phone storage, ensuring a balance between accessibility and minimizing distractions. Ultimately, teachers and administrators are best positioned to determine when personal cell phone use is appropriate or should be limited.

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

I believe it's important for all students to have access to accurate, age-appropriate information about reproductive health. The D230 sex education curriculum covers reproductive systems, their functions, related health concerns, and prevention, as well as contraception methods and the physical, emotional, and social aspects of reproductive health. This ensures that all students, regardless of sexual orientation, receive the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their well-being and safety.

Do you think property taxes are too high, too low, or just about right?

As a homeowner and taxpayer, I understand that property taxes are a significant investment for homeowners. The harsh reality though, is that Illinois ranks among the lowest in the nation for state funding of education*, leaving districts like D230 to rely heavily on local property taxes. As a matter of fact, 80% of D230’s funding comes from local property taxes.

I have a proven track record of working collaboratively to balance fiscal responsibility with the need to support excellent schools. Thoughtful and creative solutions have allowed D230 to manage local property taxes while maintaining high-quality facilities, top-tier staff, and innovative programs—helping all three of our high schools rank among the best in Illinois. In turn, strong schools support high property values and keep our communities desirable places to live.

How do you feel about TIF districts? Do they hurt or benefit schools? Explain.

When structured effectively, TIF districts can support economic development and, in some cases, increase housing supply in a community. Residential TIF districts, however, can pose big challenges for school districts, as they may lead to increased student enrollment without providing the tax revenue needed to support that growth. Since D230 serves multiple municipalities, the financial impact of a residential TIF in one community can extend beyond its borders, affecting students and taxpayers across the district. Ensuring that TIF agreements strike a fair balance—supporting economic growth while not placing an undue burden on schools—is essential for maintaining the quality of education our communities expect.

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?

Our D230 schools are shining brightly in several areas, particularly in preparing students for post-secondary success whether that be college, the trades, the military, etc. With consistent strong performance on standardized assessments like the SAT, and a focus on providing a well-rounded education, students are equipped for both college and career paths. The district also excels in offering a variety of extracurricular programs that contribute to students' personal growth. Additionally, D230 continues to invest in social-emotional learning and mental health resources which are crucial for addressing the holistic needs of students, especially in the wake of challenges posed by the pandemic.

While our district excels in many areas, there is always room for improvement—especially as student requires evolve. One key focus should be closing achievement gaps among different student groups. With annual growth in non-English-speaking students, low-income populations, and those requiring special services, we must remain adaptable, continuously assessing our ever-changing demographics and student needs. By enhancing intervention programs, and ensuring flexible resource allocation, we can provide targeted support that improves academic performance and ensures success for all students.

D230 has assembled a new, inspirational, and highly motivated administrative team that is hard at work assessing weaknesses and initialing new programs to improve outcomes for all students.

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

No.

* Based on the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)