2017 Election Questionnaire: Nicole Pavoris, District 155

Name: Nicole M. Pavoris

Age: 46

Town of residence: Cary

Position sought: District 155 board member

Family: Married with 3 children. I have a junior at Prairie Ridge HS, a 6th grader at Hannah Beardsley MS, and a 3rd grader at Canterbury Elementary.

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

Education: Marquette University - Bachelor of Arts (1993) Major: Political Science Minor: Economics
National-Louis University - Master of Arts in Teaching (2002)

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office: None

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it: The single most pressing issue facing the D155 School Board is to continue to provide quality education to every D155 student amid rising costs and declining enrollment. However, I believe that if the Board works with administration to streamline expenses, to find creative funding vehicles and to seek out best practices in other communities, solutions will be found. I do not support building consolidations within the district to lower costs. Strong schools enhance property values and communities. We need to keep our schools strong in D155.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?: The biggest difference between myself and the other candidates is my immense experience in the public education arena. I have taught at the same public high school since 2001. Therefore, I understand how school board decisions affect classroom learning and student growth.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?: The biggest failure of the current board has been a lack of collaboration and transparency between stakeholders. To change this, if elected, I would like to get more parents involved by suggesting that a board member attend each of the high school open houses. The board member can set-up a table and field questions and concerns from those in attendance. I think all parties would benefit from the creation of a Student Advisory Board. This way the school board can hear ideas directly from the students of D155.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform: I am running to enhance the career readiness, skills-based, and dual credit courses available at the D155 schools. Offering more of these courses will balance out some of the current emphasis on AP classes and give students an opportunity to explore careers that may interest them. Widening the course base will ensure that the district has programs to reach all of the diverse learning styles of the D155 students and better prepare them for the 21st century job market.

If you gain this position, what accomplishment would define your term in office as a success?: I would view an increase in the number of hands-on, skills-based or career-readiness courses offered at D155 a success.

Please share with voters a story about wisdom gained from a mistake you made in your life or career: Being in education, I have found that working together is always the best plan when it comes to doing what's best for a student. The fact is, the most important resource that the D155 School Board can take of, is the D155 students.

Why should voters trust you?: Voters should trust me because I have three children in the Crystal Lake Schools which means I will help ensure that the high level of education that I have seen with my junior, continues for my 6th and 3rd graders.

Share a quote that defines your philosophy: Be the change you want to see in the world

What questions should be asked of current government employees accountable to your board?: I believe that the relationship that the board has with the superintendent and district administration is that of an employer and employee or of a board of directors and an executive director. The relationship must be professional and incorporate the system of checks and balances that are set up to protect the integrity of both positions. Both parties must demonstrate accountability to each other and a willingness to provide a quality educational product for the students.

Explain your attitudes toward fiscal policy, government spending and how taxpayer dollars should be handled by your office (or board)?: I believe that the school board should always be looking for ways to more efficiently use the taxpayers' money.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?: There are two specific pieces of evidence that demonstrate that I can handle being a member of the D155 School Board. The first is that I am a PLC (Professional Learning Community) Leader at my school. As part of this group, we assess learning tools and make suggestions that increase student engagement and growth in the classroom. The collaborative nature of this group of teachers and administrators has had a profound impact on our school's academic culture. Secondly, I was on the parent committee that helped to bring swim team practices back to the Sage YMCA. This group saw a problem and worked proactively to correct it.

The best advice ever shared with me was: The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?: I am a 2013 graduate of the Leadership Greater McHenry County (LGMC) Program. This program cultivates McHenry County community leaders by giving them deeper insights into the workings of county government, education, and economic organizations. LGMC helps to hone the leadership skills of their participants with workshops and hands-on projects. Their mission is "to educate and inspire professionals to engage in community leadership."

More via Pavoris' campaign websitewww.electpavoris.com

Photo: Submitted