Terri Walker, District 86 Candidate

HINSDALE, IL — Terri Walker is one of 10 candidates for four seats on the Hinsdale High School District 86 board. Here are her responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name: Terri Walker

Campaign contact email: terrivote4D86@gmail.com

Age (as of election day): (No answer)

Town of residence: Hinsdale

Family:
Husband and 2 boys

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

Education:

BS Business Miami University, Oxford, Ohio

Occupation:

HR Executive. I am a values-driven leader that relies on facts and data to advance the organization’s success. I lead the HR for the Higher Education and Professional divisions of a Global Education company. I am Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) and responsible for implementing the Global D&I Strategy. Most importantly, I am known for successfully leading teams, solving complex problems, being a thought leader / trusted advisor to executives, driving talent / culture / business transformation, and developing sales incentives to drive revenue growth.

Campaign website: www.vote4D86.com

Previous or current elected or appointed office: none

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is restoring the highly rated STEM curriculum and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe the district needs to review the decisions on dismantling the highly rated science and math curriculum. I would start at the board table by asking the Administration two questions. What is the key driver for the recommended change and If the district make this change, what outcomes will be achieved? The district should model the choices based on the top high schools in the country. Physics First is a sequence not offered in many districts and those that do offer Physics First also offer the traditional BCP sequence as well. Physics First limits the STEM focused students and does not provide the level of rigor found in a traditional physics class that is math based. Regarding the change to Integrated Math, several states changed to Integrated Math and then reverted back to the traditional math pathway because they did not see the success that they were expecting.

These courses represent a one size fits all approach that do not serve the needs of all students.

As a first step I would recommend putting the Integrated Math change on hold and ensure the district has addressed any learning gaps that have occurred due to the pandemic.

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

I have deep experience working in complex organizations and bringing teams together to solve problems collaboratively. I am known for operating with a thoughtful strategic approach while having the ability to build relationships and resolve issues at all organizational levels.

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

The board has failed the community in two ways,

1) Silencing community members at board meetings

2) Implementing dramatic curriculum changes

First, the current board has attempted to silence the community at board meetings and moved public comment to the end of the meeting (which gave the board no opportunity to consider comments before making decisions).

Second, the current board has replaced proven high-ranking Math and Science curriculum with courses that were not piloted or written before rolling them out across the district. These changes left us with a one-size fits-all approach instead of meeting students where they are and ensuring they are prepared for college and beyond.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

My vision includes:

· Championing open governance through respectful communication at the board table, welcoming engagement, and collaboration with all stakeholders

· Ensuring an inclusive and safe environment for all students.

· Serving as stewards for the community by holding the administration accountable for representing our community’s goals and the district’s vision.

· Committing to data driven, student-centered decision making.

· Preserving high standards of academic excellence and support for all students.

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

In my role as an HR Executive, I rely on facts and data to make decisions and advance the success of the organization. These decisions include Talent Acquisition, Sales Incentive Plan Design, Succession Planning, Facility / Hybrid Work Arrangements. I have experience actively listening to all sides of the issues and bringing teams to consensus solving complex problems as well as making tough decisions regarding performance /success targets, incentives, advancement, compensation, organizational design, and restructuring.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

Over the last five years, there have been several tragedies – George Floyd (Minneapolis, MN, May 2020), Breonna Taylor (Louisville, KY March 2020) Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School (Parkland, FL 2018), and Pulse Night Club (Orlando, FL 2016) – that sparked teenagers to demonstrate. To express their angst, despair, disgust, heartbreak, shock, outrage, and/or fear – these teenagers occasionally responded with impassioned, peaceful, lawful, organized actions (e.g., marches, sit-ins, walk-outs, etc.) – albeit during school hours.

Nationwide, several high school districts have suspended and or threatened to suspend students who join protests or stage walkouts during school hours –even if parents authorized their participation in these demonstrations. In turn, these suspensions, historically, have adversely impacted students a) Applying to college, b) Being accepted to college, or c) Having pending decisions from college boards.

However, over the last two years – hundreds of colleges / universities have issued statements and/or policies about high school students peaceful, lawful protests. Basically, these institutions praised their activism and declared that these suspensions would not be held against high school students. One of the most detailed statements came from Stu Schmill, Dean of Admissions and Financial Services at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Stu wrote three extensive paragraphs. An excerpt is below:

Ø We also believe that civic responsibility is, like most things at MIT, something you learn best by doing: Indeed, to be civically responsible is to put into practice the obligation we owe to each other and to the common good. So, if any admitted students or applicants are disciplined by their high school for practicing responsible citizenship by engaging in peaceful, meaningful protest…..we do not view such conduct on its face as inappropriate or inconsistent with their prior conduct, or anything we wouldn't applaud amongst our own students, it will not negatively impact their admissions outcome."

I believe we should have an open dialogue with community constituents to discuss whether to have (or not to have) demonstration policy more consistent with these colleges / universities. Personally, I would support my two sons respectfully / peaceably / lawfully demonstrating.

What are your thoughts on the district’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic?

I think the district got off to a rough start. Before the 2020-2021 school year started there were plans to outsource remote learning to an outside firm. I think that was a mistake and I am glad that decision was reversed. While I am pleased that the district has an option for in person instruction, I hope solutions can be found to increase the amount of time that the students are in class (in person or remote) I do not understand why the schedule is set the way that it is. Why aren’t the students learning from 8-3? I also believe that the district should look for opportunities to improve the technology being used for remote learning. I am pleased that the teachers and Staff in the district have had the first dose of the vaccine. I am hopeful that the district can continue to expand the in-person instruction time for those students who want to learn onsite and continue remote learning for those who need it.

Are you in favor of remote learning, in-person learning or a hybrid of the two?

This is a complex issue and I recognize it will be difficult to meet the needs of everyone. To that end, I would like for the district to focus on ways to increase in-person instruction time for all students. For those students who need / want remote learning, the district should continue to provide it with district teachers. I am in favor of improving the technology as well.

Now that the teachers and staff are in the process of being vaccinated, I am hopeful the district can move forward with continued plans for 100% in person instruction, following all appropriate IDPH and ISBE guidelines.

Do you support a mask mandate for students and school staff, or mandatory coronavirus testing for both students and staff?

I support all D86 students and staff wearing masks as it is consistent with IDPH and ISBE guidelines. I also support voluntary COVID testing for both students and staff.

Do you believe there is equity between Central and South high schools? Why or why not?

After reviewing the May 28, 2020 D86 BOE meeting and presentation by the board’s law firm (Hodges, Loizzi, Eisenhammer, Rodick and Kohn), I agree that D86 is legally compliant with school equity rules. I know that continued work is essential to enhancing curriculum equity and if elected – I look forward to participating in those discussions / decisions to ensure the district maintains high standards of academic rigor and support for all students.

What was your position on the $140 million referendum that voters passed in April 2019?

I volunteered, canvassed, and fully supported the referendum passed in April 2019. The schools were in dire need of facility improvements (i.e., safety and security, accessibility, adding renovating STEM focused classrooms, infrastructure improvements, cafeteria, library, renovation/new construction, pool expansion, fine and performing arts).

How should school board members handle emails from the public?

In my opinion, emails from the public should be acknowledged. Ideally the board would do four things with public emails: 1) Aggregate emails, 2) Remove any confidential information, 3) Share high level common themes with the community, and 4) Share consensus board responses to those emails with the broader community. The board of education has an opportunity, and moreover, an obligation to increase communication and transparency with all constituents in our district.

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

No