Kari Dillon, Lyons Township High School Candidate

LA GRANGE, IL — Incumbent Kari Dillon is one of seven candidates for three seats on the Lyons Township High School board. Here are her responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Kari Dillon

Town of residence:

Indian Head Park

Age:

50

Campaign contact email:

kdforboard204@gmail.com

Campaign website:

kdforboard204.com

Family:

My husband and I have two daughters: a recent LT graduate and a junior.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No.

Education:

Illinois State University with a bachelor’s degree in marketing & communications

Occupation:

Account manager for a West Loop marketing agency.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

President, Lyons Township High School District 204 School Board

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The three most pressing issues facing the school board are 1) developing the post-pandemic student, 2) improving campus facilities while maintaining fiscal responsibility, and 3) fulfilling the goals of the strategic plan. This is what I intend to do about them:

Developing the post-pandemic student

• Academically. We must provide opportunities to improve student learning. And that starts with our teachers. Late start days on Wednesdays give our teachers the time needed to enhance their lessons, evaluate progress, and connect with division teams and students to improve academic retention and learning.
• Emotionally. We restructured our student services division and increased the number of counselors to align with national standards. We’re continually working to improve the ways in which we support our students and their families through resources beyond our school walls.
• Socially. We’re creating opportunities for our students to connect with each other and within the community through charity events, volunteer opportunities, and working with local businesses.

Improving campus facilities while maintaining fiscal responsibility
Our buildings were built in 1888 and 1957. And in many areas, it still looks like it. It’s about more than only updating the aesthetics. It’s about function. To leverage new technologies and best teaching practices, we need learning spaces that are conducive to collaboration and co-teaching.

We need updates that will extend the life of existing facilities, address life/safety issues and improve accessibility. And many of our student and community athletic and wellness facilities need updating, as well.

Fulfilling the goals of our strategic plan
The facility improvements are tied to Goal 5 of our strategic plan, but we have four other detailed goals we’re working on simultaneously. We have begun to make strides with Goal 1 of improving student growth and achievement – 2022 marks the highest number of students taking at least one AP exam. And we continue to work on closing the achievement gap through a partnership with Equal Opportunity Schools. We’re making strides on Goal 2 of providing an inclusive learning environment through professional development for staff and improving intervention systems and supports for our students. Goals 3 and 4 are evolving as we expand our hiring outreach to accurately reflect the LT community and find better ways to connect and build relationships with families and the greater community.

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

To be an effective board member I collaborate and find areas of agreement with my board colleagues while respecting and valuing different opinions. The current board members come from different backgrounds with varying experiences as LT alumni, parents and community members. It’s the variety of perspectives that help us make informed and well-rounded decisions.

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

I have served on the LTHS District 204 board for the last four years, helped navigate the district through disruptions caused by the pandemic, and hired a new superintendent. I know it takes patience, dedication and collaboration to work with a team of seven. Together, we effectively implemented a 1:1 laptop distribution program, developed the first district equity statement, established the Director of Student Services and Director of Equity & Belonging roles, enabled the first live-streamed board meetings, upgraded 64 classrooms with air conditioning, and recently completed a community-engaged facilities study to identify future projects/needs to improve our aging campuses.

What can the school do to counteract dropping standardized test scores?

As I mentioned in response to an earlier question, we have begun to make strides with Goal 1 of improving student growth and achievement – 2022 marks the highest number of students taking at least one AP exam. We’re making strides on Goal 2 of providing an inclusive learning environment through professional development for staff and improving intervention systems and supports for our students.

I personally believe that standardized tests are just one metric out of many that tell the story of student success. That said, this is an area that LT continues to work on. Specifically, this year the new testing coordinator has been instrumental in collaborating with academic divisions to identify standardized test areas where LT students need improvement and ways that instructors can help students better prepare for that content. We are also looking at strategies to improve the test outcomes for historically underrepresented groups through co-teaching and partnering with Equal Opportunity Schools.

I also believe our recent review of LT grading processes will contribute to improve test scores. The goal of this review was to streamline and provide a consistent education experience for all students regardless of whom was teaching their courses. These improvements were rooted in a research-based methodology that has been in practice nationally for more than 20 years. The process included a review of course content and grading policies within each division and included input from student/parent surveys. The rollout was then applied across the entire system.

The timing of the rollout during the pandemic had a direct influence on the success of this initiative, and like all significant process updates, needed some adjustments once applied. LT listened to feedback from teachers, the students and the parents, which resulted in the grading system currently used today.

Teachers agree to a common syllabus and gradebook, coursework can account for no more than 10% of the final grade, course teams may choose to limit retakes if applicable, and every course culminates in a final exam experience as defined by the instructor. The current system provides teachers with flexibility and autonomy while keeping the experience for each and every student consistent.

Do you generally support the work of the school district’s administration? Why or why not?

Yes. This is the first administration in the history of LT that has taken on the charge of developing a strategic plan, aligning metrics and developing strategies to accomplish these goals. This administration has managed some of the most difficult challenges facing our students post pandemic, particularly in academics and mental wellness. They have addressed these concerns by working to streamline the grading process, providing additional supports for our students and expanding the student services team.

All of this might feel very different from the way school was when we were growing up, but that’s because student life is different. Our students worry about academics in a way that we didn’t before, and they have added pressure to be hyper-involved in everything from work to clubs to sports. They worry about school shootings and their safety. These differences require an administration and a school board committed to understanding these issues and addressing them head on.

How do you view Lyons Township High School’s handling of the sale of its Willow Springs land? Has the school district been open enough with the public about the process? Why or why not?

It is the school board’s fiduciary responsibility to the taxpayers to make decisions on behalf of the district that will benefit all students at the least expense to all taxpayers. The proceeds from a potential sale could dramatically improve the infrastructure of our aging campuses and would contribute to fulfilling strategic Goal 5 without adding to taxpayer’s expense.

If the property is eventually sold, it will be up to the Village of Willow Springs to work with the contract purchaser on any changes to the zoning, special use permits or variants. Every step of this process has followed the proper protocols for selling real property, as outlined in the Illinois School Code.

The board continues to receive and evaluate input from the community both in support of as well as against the potential sale. The community can access the latest information regarding the Willow Springs property at https://www.ltwillowspringsproperty.org/faq

What is your view of critical race theory? Is it being taught in the local schools? If so, what evidence do you have of that?

My understanding of critical race theory, based on what I have read, is that it is an academic concept that is more than 40 years old. The main idea behind this concept is that race is a social construct, and that racism exists within legal systems and policies, not only within individuals or groups. Critical race theory is a theory, not necessarily a belief system. Critical race theory is not a part of LTHS curricula, and from what I know, critical race theory is not a part of local K-12 curricula. If there is any evidence to the contrary, I would like to know more about that.

What is your view of sex education in local schools? Should an LGBT component be included? Why or why not?

My view of sex education is rooted in my belief that LT must be a welcoming space for all. It is with that focus that we can affect true learning. Some of our students identify as LGBTQ+, and we have a responsibility to reflect all our students in the curricula we teach.

As with every course subject, LT has an established process for vetting literature and curriculum content. Our division chairs select materials that are culturally responsive and accurately reflect the diverse world we live in. As a board member, I would advocate for the representation of all individuals in books and instructional materials.

Will you take questions from the media if you are elected?

Yes.

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:

Stand up for what you believe in.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Being a part of the District 204 Board of Education has been an honor. I am so proud of what we’ve accomplished, and I look forward to the opportunities ahead.