Meet Homer District 33C Board Of Ed Candidate: Karen DeFilippis

HOMER GLEN, IL — Karen DeFilippis is one of six candidates running for four open positions on the Homer District 33C Board of Education. DeFilippis is a retired teacher, and currently serves on the District 33C Board of Education.

DeFilippis recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and her answers can be found below:

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com.

Name: Karen A. DeFilippis

Age (as of Election Day): 65

Town/city of residence: Homer Glen

School District: Homer 33C

Family: I am married to Michael DeFilippis. We have two adult children who attended Homer 33C years ago.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education: M.A. in Education, St. Xavier University

Occupation: Retired school teacher after 30 years of teaching.

Campaign website: None

Previous or current elected or appointed office: Homer 33C School Board 2017-2021

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

As we begin to bring some normalcy to our community and schools, our mission is to identify, measure, support and heal our children and teaching community over the next several years and into our future. We need to bring our children back into schools which make them feel safe and comfortable. District administrators and teachers need to build Social Emotional Learning communities where children can experience a nurturing environment and achieve individual academic goals moving forward. As a board, we need to provide the directive, resources and encouragement to move forward toward that vision.

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

Four years ago, I was elected to the school board with a different lens to what I thought I could accomplish. After a few months, any "I" ideas were transformed into a "we" vision and I gained a better understanding of what it means to work together as a school board. People have a misunderstanding that you can get involved in school board because of your own personal agenda. Rather, you must have a passion for all stakeholders in the district. My experience in working with other school board members is that each member of the board brings their values and ideas and that only through respectful collaboration can a district move forward. The scope of issues that a school board member faces is remarkably diverse and having this experience makes a difference.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Currently, the district is finalizing their Strategic Plan for the next five years. This plan will guide Homer 33C into the future for our administration, teachers, children and staff. Our goals and actions will be implemented over the next several years and will become the footprint for our steps into the future. We will be focusing in on academic growth, resources, facility improvement, and growth.

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

My dedication to Homer 33C began in the early 90s. I was actively involved as a parent volunteer. As the need for more space and resources grew, I served on two successful referendum committees. My most precious accomplishment was being able to teach here in Homer 33C for over 18 years. I was honored to work with all the students who touched my life.

Why should voters trust you?

I believe that trust is earned through dedicated actions and I humbly hope people know that I have been dedicated to this district.

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

The district is adopting a Strategic Plan that will be used to guide our district over the next five years. Successfully implementing those goals would allow for high academic achievement, supporting our staff with professional growth, maintaining our facilities, and maximizing the current space for future students.

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

Our district administration is constantly looking for cost-effective solutions to many of the services that we use to run the district. Over the past few years, our administration has been able to save over a million dollars of taxpayer money by switching out vendors and doing more in house projects. We have an obligation to be fiscally responsible stewards to our taxpaying community.

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?

N/A

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

Equality is about ensuring that each child is treated fairly despite their religion, disability, age, gender, race, or sexual orientation. As a school board, we are mandated to support all children and to make sure that we provide education for our children to understand and respect each other's differences. Homer 33C has implemented those mandatory topics into their curriculum and our district's SEL program of Second Step helps the teachers to build a greater understanding of differences in their classroom.

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?

Each district school board was faced with the challenge of providing the maximum learning possible while making sure they kept their students and staff as safe as possible. Decisions had to be made by school district based on community factors, building space and the level of mitigations that they could follow. All IDPH and CDC guidelines had to be considered. The use of masks to protect students and staff is well-documented and was mandated in schools.

Homer adopted a hybrid model to be able to provide in-person learning while the community spread was high. This model allowed students to remain six feet apart while keeping students in the same classroom all day. I believe Homer adhered to the IDPH and CDC guidelines and will continue to look to those guidelines as we try to implement as many in person learning days as possible. The goal is to return to in-person learning five days a week as soon as possible.

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

COVID-19 vaccinating is a personal choice. We need to educate people on the benefits of the vaccine but each person has a right to accept or decline the vaccine.

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

None

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Count others more significant than yourself"