Susan Szafranski, Candidate For Palos D118 School Board: 2025 Election

PALOS PARK, IL — Susan M. Szafranski is running with the Baker, Jensen, Quinn & Szafranski 4for118 slate for her second term on the Palos Dist. 118 Board of Education in the April 1 election. Early voting runs from March 17 to March 31.

Your Name:

Susan M. Szafranski

Campaign website

4for118

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

Facebook: 4for118

Town/city of residence:

Palos Park

School district:

Palos School District 118

Family. (Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share.)

My husband, Jordan, and I have been married for 21 years. We have two children: Jackson, a 2022 Palos 118 graduate and current high school junior, and Lily, also a 2024 Palos 118 graduate and current high school freshman. We have lived in Palos Park for almost 13 years.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

I have no family members who work in politics or government.

Education

I have a BA in Rhetoric from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (2001),
and a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning/Secondary Education from DePaul University (2004).

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

• (former) High School English and Journalism Teacher for 19 years; not currently teaching, but I am still certified
• Currently an Educational Consultant (I started my own business- Second Draft Educational Consulting). I have been consulting for nonprofits for the last 2 years, with a focus on scholastic journalism and media literacy.

Previous or current elected or appointed office.

Currently at the end of my first term on the Palos 118 School Board, currently serves as Secretary of the Board, previously served as the Policy Committee Chair. I was elected in 2021.

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

The reality of school board work is not very glamorous. The most pressing issues are not what Facebook or the news would have you believe is the issue. Most of the issues the rest of the state are facing in education are not problems in Palos 118. This is the direct result of the collective efforts of all stakeholders. The parents are active in the schools, our teachers are top-, and our administration has high expectations and a clear vision for the district. This has allowed our students to thrive in the classroom.

Finances: Since 1982 the state of Illinois has passed 699 mandates. Only 0.5% of these mandates are funded. We have diligently worked with our Chief School Business Officer to achieve the highest financial rating from the state board of education. Just last spring. we were able to successfully pass a referendum to ensure the future success of our school district. This is crucial for the long term success of our district.

We strive to maintain a delicate balance: providing every opportunity and support to every learner—understanding that this looks different for each student—while remaining financially responsible to taxpayers. Over the last four years, the board has worked with administrators to expand both our English Learner (EL) and Special Education programs, while providing coaches to improve math instruction for our elementary students. These measures have proven successful, not only because District 118 is one of the lowest-spending, high-achieving districts in the state, but also through the pride our students and community take in our schools. We plan to continue this progress and find ways to serve all of our students, while balancing the moving parts of running a school district.

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

Baker, Szafranski and Jensen have Board experience. We were elected to serve this community 4 years ago. In that time, two schools have won the National Blue Ribbon award. We passed a referendum to put our district on solid financial ground for the future. The district implemented professional learning coaches at Palos East and West to work with our teachers in math. The effectiveness of this endeavor is proven by our increased test scores.

Baker, Jensen, and Szafranski also have a combined 50+ years of experience in education– everything ranging from special education to coaching and classroom teaching to administration. They all continue to work in education, whether it is in schools, as advocates, or working with educational institutions.

Quinn would be a first time school board , but he has worked closely with the board of directors at a financial institution, serving as the Chief Information Officer. He currently serves as the chair of the Information Security Committee. He would bring a wealth of background in technology and cybersecurity to the board, which makes him stand out. Technology is an important aspect of education, and his expertise would provide a unique and useful perspective to the board.

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

I am seated on the current board.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

The only agenda we have is to maintain the quality of schools that this community deserves.
We fully understand that when you are sworn in as board member you are one of seven individuals that have to work together as a team for the good of the students. While everyone brings their voice and experiences to the meetings, board work is about building consensus. Personal agendas slow down the work. We are not involved in the day-to-day operations of the school. We trust and monitor the superintendent and his staff and set the direction for the district. Our main goal would be to work together to continue the momentum that we have going in this district. Providing opportunities and resources to our students is our first priority.

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

The biggest accomplishment I can cite is my commitment to serve in this position over the last 4 years. I have been committed to public education for over 20 years, first as a teacher and now as a board member. It is important to me to have strong schools for our community. The community has trusted me for 4 years and I want to continue to give back in a way I can lend my expertise and passion for education. We have won two Board Governance Awards from IASB during my tenure.

Looking at the slate I am a part of: For the three incumbents, the success of the district over the last 4 years proves that we are willing to work alongside the community and faculty, to provide students with the tools they need to succeed. This is evident by the National Blue Ribbons West and East received, the outstanding scores the students have earned across the board (District 118 students ranked in the 98th percentile in Reading, 94th in Math & 92nd in Science) and the two Excellence in Governance awards the board has received from the IASB.

We have kept their promise to be financially responsible while making sure that Palos 118 remains a destination district for families in the Southwest suburbs. Quinn has proven to be an advocate for our schools by getting involved in our schools. His rise to Chief Information Officer proves he has leadership skills necessary to navigate board work. Together, the 4 candidates can continue to build on the progress being made in our district.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I want great things for these schools. It has an impact on our community on a small and large scale. Both of my children attended the schools and it provided a foundation for their success in high school. I want to ensure that we maintain that for our current students and future students. Voters should also trust me because I am in this for the right reasons. I do not have a personal agenda. I want to help ALLstudents, and I want to spend the time putting in the work to make sure our schools are great. I also feel very strongly about education and spend a good deal of time researching educational related topics.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success? I would love to continue pushing Palos 118 forward academically. We are already at the top and I want to continue moving forward. I would love to see a Blue Ribbon at South,and I would love to see us grow our program offerings. Hearing people say they moved here because of the schools is the greatest compliment we can receive–a clear sign we are doing something right!

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

Schools should be a safe place for all students. Staff should be given guidance that follows state and local laws and be instructed accordingly. All students should feel safe and supported while in the care of the district.

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

This is not applicable for our district (K-8).

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

Technology has become a part of our lives and it continues to evolve every day. We know there has been current legislation introduced surrounding this issue, but we maintain that school districts should maintain local control on making this decision. Technology, including phones, have a time and a place and schools should be able to address this on a case-by-case basis.

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

Students should be taught about their bodies, the changes that happen, and how to take care of themselves. When it comes to more complex and controversial areas of Sex Ed, we feel individual families should decide when and how to have the conversations. It is important to follow state mandates, but it is important to take into consideration the values and wishes of each part of the community and leave decisions to parents about whether their student receives instruction about matters they do not feel comfortable with.

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

We would all love to pay lower taxes. The current tax rate allows the district to keep quality programming, expand opportunities, and create welcoming environments for students to learn without overly burdening the community. We strive to efficiently spend tax dollars so we can continue to be one of the lowest spending and highest achieving districts in the state. Schools are integral to the community and only one piece that contributes to our taxes. Strong schools will help our communities thrive in many ways, but funding is needed to maintain its success.

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

The impact of TIFs in Palos 118 has been negligible, but we'd be open to exploring and if it became relevant to our district.

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?

Every resident in Palos 118 should be proud of the students' level of achievement. Our students score above the 90th percentile in every subject. The district has prioritized quality, data driven instruction and provided support to both faculty and students to make sure each child is able to achieve and grow. In the coming years, it will be important to continue collaboration across grade levels and schools to ensure a consistent experience for each child. Professional Learning Communities within the schools will continue to help teachers evaluate student performance and design quality lessons based on current student proficiency. We will also continue to look at how we can enhance our educational spaces. We have a lot to celebrate in 118, but always looking ahead and considering initiatives moving forward is important for growth, so we feel creating roadmaps and goals will be key.

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

I am committed to fulfilling this full term, just as I have fulfilled my duties this term.