Savena Joiner, Plainfield School Board: Candidate Survey

PLAINFIELD, IL — Four candidates are vying for three open seats on Plainfield School District 202 Board of Education.

In the April 4 Consolidated Election, voters will be asked to choose between Savena Joiner, Elias Kalantis, Margarita Morelos and Heather Roach. The only candidate currently on the Board is Roach, who was first elected to the position in 2015.

Joiner recently responded to a Patch.com election survey. Take a look at his answers below:

Your name: Savena Joiner

Age (as of election day): 47

Town/city of residence: Joliet

School district: Plainfield School District 202

Family: One daughter named Morgan, a 21-year-old studying early childhood education

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? No

Education: Bachelor of Arts in English Literature (University of IL Chicago), Master of Arts in Teaching (National Louis University), Learning Behavior Specialist Endorsement (National Louis University)

Occupation: Educator for 22 years

Campaign website: www.savenajoiner.org

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Precinct Committee Person for Kendall County Na Au Say Township District 2

The most pressing issues facing our (board, district, etc.) are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them. There is not just one singular pressing issue facing our school district. Like many other districts, we are facing mental health issues, bullying, learning gaps from the Covid pandemic, zoning challenges with the construction of new homes, and many more issues. I intend to work alongside my fellow board members, to strategize and work on ways to resolve these matters.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post? Some of the critical differences between myself and the other candidates seeking this post is that I have a great deal of experience as an educator and I understand the importance of creating safe spaces for our students in order to create productive learning environments. I understand that teachers need to feel valued and appreciated in order to carry out one of the most challenging jobs on the planet. I understand that parents want their children to feel protected and nurtured in their school environment, while at the same time experiencing a challenging and enriching academic experience. I’m an educator, a parent, and advocate for equity in our schools.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district? I feel that an area of opportunity for the current board is the development and implementation of an actionable equity plan that involves actively recruiting and retaining teachers of color and auditing discipline data with an equity lens. The Plainfield District 202 community is growing by leaps and bounds. We need to be sure that our schools are equipped to address the needs of diverse student populations.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform. There are mental health needs in our schools that require support beyond what a teacher should be called upon to address. Teacher’s should have a basic understanding of how to address mental health situations in the classroom, however, I feel that schools will continue to need designated highly trained professionals available to address these needs.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? Did not provide an answer.

Why should voters trust you? Voters should trust me because I care about my community and want to serve the families of Plainfield 202 with integrity and transparency.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success? Being a member of the District 202 Board of Education I would look at any success as a win for the entire board and not as an individual. I don’t feel that there’d be one single accomplishment that would make my term in office a success. For me, it’s not about success or failure, it’s about continuously working to make Plainfield District 202 the best it can be for our families.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking? The Board of Education should continue to offer clear communication and transparency regarding the district’s budget. Taxpayers should have access to that information and be able to see how the district is funded and how money is spent.

What are your thoughts on how the district has handled the COVID-19 pandemic? The Covid-19 pandemic was an unprecedented time for school districts and the country as a whole. We all did the best we could under the circumstances. School districts were given guidelines and mandates from the state and federal governments that we had to follow.

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? Did not provide an answer.

How do you feel about sex education being taught in school? Should an LGBTQ component be included, and why or why not? Sex education should be taught in a way that is appropriate for the age group of the students. I encourage any parents with concerns about the details of the sex education curriculum of their child’s school to speak directly with the teachers and get a full understanding of what is being taught. There is a great deal of fear about what children are learning in schools especially in terms of sex education. As parents, we have the right to ask questions and seek clarity on what students will be learning. We also have the right to opt out of learning opportunities we deem unfit for our children. An LGBTQ component should be included in the sex education curriculum. A major component of sex ed is to inform students on how to make fully informed and safe decisions for themselves. Whether they are gay, straight, or still trying to figure it out, students should have access to an all-inclusive curriculum.

What are your views on critical race theory and whether it should be taught in the district? Critical race theory is a non issue. In the 20 plus years I've been in education, I've not encountered any content and/or curriculum remotely close to critical race theory. I continue to be confused over why this is being discussed and debated in K-12 education, since it has never been taught in K-12 education.

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

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? Did not provide an answer.

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: Always stay true to who you are