School issues probed

D33C candidates share views on class sizes, in-person learning

2021-03-16 - By Michelle Mullins

After a year filled with debate about in-person classes versus remote or hybrid learning models, six candidates seeking four seats on the Homer Elementary School District 33C Board share their perspective on the process and other issues facing the kindergarten through eighth grade district.

Incumbents Karen DeFilippis and Kevin DeSchaaf are both seeking a second term on the board. Joining them are Lawrence Vacala, Jennifer Rudolph, Melissa Chandarana and Cesar Marin.

DeFilippis is a retired teacher, who taught for 18 years in District 33C. She said when she retired in 2016, her passion for education and the community led her to run for school board.

She said she sees board decisions through an educator’s eye and works to ensure that the unique needs of each child are addressed. When the board begins to look at a new five-year strategic plan, she said her will focus will be on ways to continually raise the bar, improve student achievement and implement more ways to help teachers, including possibly hiring educational instructional coaches to work alongside them.

In her tenure, the board hired a new superintendent and directors of finance and curriculum, which she said has made the district stronger.

This past year presented a new and unprecedented challenge as the district dealt with the coronavirus pandemic. District 33C offered a hybrid approach when students returned from summer break in order to have as much in-person learning as possible, DeFilippis said. Parents could also choose for their children to stay all virtual.

While there were some times that the district had to go all-remote due to the state coronavirus cases increasing, the district was able to boost its substitute teacher and bus driver staff and has plans to bring all students back full time in April. The district provided each child with a Chromebook and provided hot spots to children who needed help getting an internet connection, DeFilippis said.

The district followed guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control as well as local and state data, DeFilippis said. All teachers will have had their second dose of the vaccination before in-person learners return five days a week, DeFilippis said. “I’m proud of what we’ve done,” she said. DeSchaaf, who is also seeking a second term, agreed that the virus presented a major challenge and the district heard from many parents with diverse opinions. He said he talked to many parents to explain the complexities of opening the schools and

said all decisions were made with the students’ and staff ’s best interest in mind.

Teachers in the district have worked to address students’ mental health as well as their educational needs, DeSchaaf said.

DeSchaaf, who has two children in the district, said he is proud of the new administrative hires, which are he called the foundation of the district. Future goals will be to address the growing student population, continue focus on academic success and ensure students and teachers are well adapted to deal with ever-changing technology.

DeSchaaf said the district has a strong community with active parent-teacher organizations.

“I listen first and analyze all the angles before coming to a decision,” DeSchaaf said. “When you are dealing with the education of children and the well-being of families, you make sure you have everyone’s best interest at heart.”

Vacala, who has two sons in the district and has been active with his wife on the PTO, said he is running to be more involved with the community.

A sergeant with the Downers Grove Police Department, Vacala said his experience helping people and keeping them safe will be a viable asset. Parents are still concerned with school safety and security, and the issue of school safety seems to have fallen on the back burner during the pandemic, he said.

“My objective is to keep our schools safe and have a safe environment for our children and school staff,” Vacala said.

Vacala said he also wants to address students’ emotional and social needs and mental health as they return to school full-time. This may be through hiring additional social workers or counselors, he said. Vacala said he also wants to look at class sizes, overcrowding and planning for the future. He said that he wants to look at the school’s finances to see if there are any ways to save taxpayer money.

Rudolph, a mom of two children, said she is running to lay a good foundation for her children’s futures, similar to her mom, who was active in parent-teacher organizations when she was

in school.

Rudolph said her family moved to Homer Glen about 2 ½ years ago because of the strong school system, its test scores, the sports and activities it offered and the special events the district held.

She said there are several priorities the board needs to examine, including class sizes and how to address overcrowding whether it’s repurposing existing space or looking at buying new property. The board needs to examine its budget to makes sure finances are being spent wisely, and the district should explore adding more electives to its curriculum.

She said she offers a fresh perspective.

Rudolph said the district did an OK job adapting to the coronavirus pandemic, but said officials could have been more creative. Teaching core curriculum should have had more priority during the times when children were attending school in person, she said. More efforts need to be made to help children with their mental well-being since they’ve been away from a normal schedule for so long, Rudolph said.

Chandarana, a mother of five children, has been a frequent volunteer in District 33C, serving as a PTO president, helping at various school functions, such as book fairs and field days and volunteering as an office assistant and with the What I Need program. She has also been a Girl Scout troop leader and director of a volunteer-led Girl Scout camp.

She said she has reached out to current and former

board members and district administration so she is well prepared to serve.

“I look forward to the opportunity to learn and ask the right questions so every student gets the best possible education,” Chandarana said.

In the coming years, the district will need to address growing class sizes and how to accommodate growth in the district, she said.

Chandarana said she would like to have services enhanced so the district will be renowned for meeting the needs of those students with special needs. She would also like to provide increasing support and enhanced differentiated teaching to students who just miss out on being selected for the gifted program.

One of her goals is to create a coffee shop experience that would allow students with special needs to practice their life skills. The shop would allow students to interact with others, provide a service, practice counting money and learn life skills. A version of a coffee shop could be implemented across grade levels, Chandarana said.

Marin did not return calls for comment.

Karen DeFilippis Age: 65 Occupation: Retired

teacher

Civic experience: District 33C Board member 2017-present; board secretary, 2017-present.

Kevin DeSchaaf

Age: 42

Occupation: Advertising

Civic experience: District 33C board member 2017-present.

Jen Rudolph Age: 40

Occupation: Stayat-home mom; former manager at a car dealership Civic experience: None

Melissa Chandarana

Age: 48