Katie Rausch: Candidate For Arlington Heights SD 25

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Ahead of the April 6 consolidated municipal elections, Arlington Heights Patch provided questionnaires to all candidates on the ballot.

Eight candidates are vying for four seats on the Arlington Heights School District 25 Board of Education on Election Day. They include three incumbents (Gina Faso, Richard Olejniczak and Anisha Patel) and five challengers (Melisa Andrews, Katie Rausch, Gregory Scapillato, Deborah Tranter and Todd Witherow).

Arlington Heights Patch is publishing all responses submitted by candidates verbatim.

Katie Rausch

Age (as of election day)

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Town/city of residence

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School district

25

Family

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Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

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Education

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Occupation

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Campaign website

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Previous or current elected or appointed office

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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 our (board, district, etc.) is student achievement specifically focusing on the academic performance gap for all learners caused by the pandemic and the social/emotional well being of our students. They are directly connected. These are my top priorities and this is what I intend to do about it.

I believe teaching models and instructional approaches should be proactive in nature. Use assessments to drive instruction and differentiate how and what we teach to target the learning needs of everyone. I believe in inclusivity. I know that all children thrive in an inclusive environment where all learning styles are addressed. Our district does not provide the least restrictive environment (LRE) for some of our IEP students. This is a weakness and it needs to change. I know this from watching a board meeting where it was presented by the district’s Assistant to the Superintendent for Student Services. In 2019 the Illinois Report Card data showed that in District 25 there was 48% difference in academic performance between IEP and Non IEP students, meaning students with IEP’s are performing significantly less than their peers without IEP’s. As a comparison, the state of Illinois has 34% difference in academic performance between IEP and Non IEP students. We have a larger gap between these two student groups. I know this district already has the resources and staff to close this gap. I think we can reallocate programs, materials and staff. I believe that building a larger stronger Support Services Team at each building not only provides support to identified students with IEP’s but also can be a proactive approach to providing interventions to Tier 2 and at-risk students at every school in the academic and social/emotional areas where gaps are identified. This allows student service teams and support staff with areas of expertise to intervene as needed. Let’s collaborate with classroom teachers and identify a need and provide interventions. I am happy to see our district adapting and begin to implement staff training for the RULER program. Looking at this program online, it seems to be a resource that can integrate social and emotional learning directly into our current curriculum. This is great! I’m excited to watch this program trickle down to students next year. Also let’s provide more Social Workers and School Psychologists at our buildings. They are a key component to the Student Services Teams I just mentioned above. Their skills are needed now more than ever this year and we will continue to need them for years to come! An inclusive model of teaching will increase student achievement for all. Let’s Co-Teach and Team Teach in our schools. We all have areas of expertise as educators, let’s combine those together inside our classrooms!

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

I am a parent in D25 like many other candidates and I’m an educator like some of the other candidates. I stand out from everyone else with my area of expertise and background knowledge as a Special Education teacher. Our district has acknowledged that our Student Services is an area of weakness and changes need to be made. This has been documented in the 2021-2022 Strategic Plan. I’m the only candidate with a special education background who can help our district achieve these goals. I know the following initiatives have been set forth by our district. I will take action. I have implemented such goals and objectives as an educator and I have always advocated for students with disabilities. One of the district’s student achievement goals states “Refine and expand our continuum of services to better meet the needs of all students and reduce performance gaps for low income, Black, Hispanic, and Students with Disabilities.” When I was a LD/BD resource teacher, it was my job to set goals, provide interventions for academics and administer assessment to measure progress towards those goals. If elected I can bring my experience to the board. I will be a valuable asset when discussing materials, curriculum, academic and social/emotional interventions. I can speak as a teacher and help make decisions to support our staff with resources and professional development to make sure we can successfully follow through on the expectations set by the Strategic PlanTeam.

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

The Superintendent and school board must improve communication within the community. I know this is an area where they agree with me. On February 25th I attended the board meeting where Dr. Bein discussed a need for better communication and presented some ideas for future board meetings. Ideas brought up included the community to speak publicly at the beginning and the end of board meetings. This allows for open communication through addressing questions and clarification. Dr. Bein also emphasized the continued use of live streaming meetings. I fully support these ideas as I see them to be a step in the right directions with transparency.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

My main objective is to improve student achievement for all children providing an inclusive and proactive learning environment. We need to invest in research based interventions for academic and social/emotional support in addition to the core curriculum. We should make professional development opportunities for teachers and support staff. These opportunities should teach educators how curriculum and instruction can be taught through various teaching models that will support many learning styles. Examples would include, Team Teaching and Co Teaching. These models promote differentiated instruction. This can help minimize achievement gaps. I believe to accomplish this we need to build better communication between the teachers and the school board. We are a team and teachers must have a voice when decisions made are to be implemented effectively. As an educator, I will constantly work on teacher engagement with the school board on a regular basis. Communication is essential with constituents as well. We all have the right to share our voices, ask tough questions and seek clarity when needed. Great schools equal a sought after community. People love Arlington Heights for many reasons, School District 25 is at the top of that list. I believe full day kindergarten should be an option for parents. I do not want to raise taxes and will collaborate with the board to problem solve how we can make this happen for our community in a fiscally responsible way.

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

As a Special Education LD/BD Resource Teacher I carried out many responsibilities with my colleagues in a collaborative way. Our focus always being on student success. I was case manager at my school. I had a caseload of IEP students who received academic support from me and related services from support staff. I was in charge of scheduling student services, communicating and planning with classroom teachers, implementing assessments for a variety of meetings and then facilitating those meetings. I was the bridge between school and parents. My job was to teach and advocate for my students, include parents as part of the educational team, and train teachers to accommodate and modify for my students in a general education classroom. I’m a problem solver. Recently, I rolled up my sleeves and got to work when I saw a lack of substitutes. Dr. Bein stated that we needed help and I stepped up and I now sub in classes whenever I can. If elected you can count on me to always step up and come to the table ready to solve problems. I believe the best way to solve problems is to listen to different perspectives and opinions then use them to guide us to make informed decisions.

Why should voters trust you?

Trust me by knowing my intentions. My running for school board comes from a place of awareness. I see a need for change and I have experience and time to commit to this position. My passion for inclusivity for all, positive and collaborative relationships and the love of this community has brought me to this point. I’m so excited to move forward as a community. I can get us there. I’m not a politician, I am a community member stepping up to fill a need to make a difference. I have always done what’s best for kids. Learn about me and you will see my intentions and I will gain your trust. Let’s get to work!

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

Success for me will be assessed with student growth for all our children. I want to provide each school with more resources to take a proactive approach during these unpredictable times. I will work to add support staff including Social workers and School Psychologists to address the social/emotional needs of our learners and provide instructional interventions to add another layer of academic support to close the performance gap. Curriculum based measures and state assessments will guide our decisions and help us move forward. Also, I envision District 25 as a place where all students can thrive in an inclusive environment with friends and neighbors. Success will be measured when every school in District 25 has the resources needed to provide accommodations and modifications within the classrooms so students with various learning modes can excel. We need to give teachers the tools to support children who learn differently. These students deserve access to their peers and learning in the least restrictive environment.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

We have many fiscal responsibilities as board members and I will seek out the expertise of my colleagues for some of them because, as a group of seven members we all bring our strengths to the table. However, one job we have as a school board member is to evaluate educational programs and approve the curriculum, textbooks, and educational services. This is where my teaching background can be beneficial. As an educator I have the opportunity to bring validity to what we spend our money on regarding curriculum, supplement materials, and staffing decisions. I have implemented interventions as a Special Education teacher so I can provide my perspective on wise investments. I believe that in this current pandemic when we know students are struggling with mental health and falling behind academically, the best use of government funds should go to supplemental programs to provide additional academics beyond the school so kids are better prepared next year. Additional funds must go to social/emotional support too. Staff schools with more mental health supports to address needs and intervene whenever possible so our students can gain confidence and trust. We need that excitement and love of learning to return to our classrooms!

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?

Black lives do matter and I support the peaceful protests of any and all organizations who choose to voice issues and build community involvement. I support the awareness that Black Lives Matter has raised in this country. This is how we learn. We advocate for what’s right and work hard to get our message out there. I fully support peaceful demonstrations as a way to reach out to the community and get your voices heard. What happened to George Floyd and Jacob Blake is a reminder that, as a country, we must make changes. What I saw was absolutely wrong and unacceptable. We must do better.

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

I believe the district is aware that more is needed to make change and awareness. Our district is moving forward to eliminate racial injustices. In August 2020, School District 25 approved Policy 1:32, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. Dr. Bein has enlisted guidance from the Illinois Commission on Diversity and Human Relations (ICDHR). Professional development such as workshops and webinars are set for the 2021 school year. Dr. Bein values staff representation for our diverse learners. Administration is working with ICDHR to find new ways to recruit diversity through how we market ourselves. In addition our curriculum, assessments, and instructional models within the classrooms are being reviewed. I would welcome all developmentally age appropriate recommendations and updates suggested by an outside organization like ICDHR so that materials and resources align with our policies. We know students with disabilities already struggle with learning challenges so to add a layer of racial injustice would require the best teachers. We must offer professional development classes to all staff.

What are your thoughts on the district’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you in favor of remote learning, in-person learning or a hybrid of the two? Do you support a mask mandate for students and school staff, or mandatory coronavirus testing for both students and staff

Spring was definitely a learning curve for teachers and students. District 25 has had time to reflect. Administration has worked hard to make sure students started September with a platform that had teacher- student engagement and meaningful teaching approaches to teach the curriculum virtually. I believe our remote program is robust. I know that in person learning is engaging and it's essential that students are provided these experiences in their classrooms. However, the decisions to have staff teach simultaneously with both in person and remote students, has made the school year extremely difficult. The school board needs a concrete plan now for what type of instruction will be provided this fall. They must collaborate with surrounding districts, learn from this year and be ready to excel so we can move forward as a district. I fully support a mask mandate as long as health organizations such as IDPH and CDC recommend doing so. I will follow their guidance as it evolves. I believe that testing should be provided for anyone willing but should not be mandatory. It’s important to allow staff with access to any and all mitigation efforts provided by the district. I’m happy that we were able to vaccinate willing teachers. I was able to receive a vaccination since I started subbing in the district and I’m very grateful.

When the vaccine is available to them, do you support mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff?

I believe in choice. We all have our values and beliefs and we need to be respectful. To mandate something would be to take choice away for someone and I do not support that. Fortunately our district was able to provide vaccination to our staff a few weeks ago. Over 650 staff members chose to vaccinate themselves. Together D25 is moving forward and focusing on the future.

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

If elected I will absolutely serve out my full term. I have no political ambitions beyond school board. I believe I can be a very impactful school board member and make some great changes during the next four years. This is where I want to be, this is where I can make a difference! I’m ready, let's get to work.

The best advice ever shared with me was ____________

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Helen Keller