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NAME: Anne Miller
POSITION FOR WHICH YOU ARE A CANDIDATE:
Community Unit School Dist. 300
1. Why are you seeking this position?
2. What experience and background do you have which qualifies you for this position?
I was elected to the D300 board in 1997. I’d been a parent volunteer for 10 years. Being elected to the school board seemed like the next logical step; not so much because of a passion for education, though that I do possess. But more because of a passion for improving the learning experiences of students and affecting change in my community. My educational history isn’t so different than many students who don’t fit the ‘conforming’ mold. I knew what I wanted but not how to achieve it. The support from the educational system may have been there; I didn’t see it. I wanted better for my children and for all children. You see, we’ve only one opportunity as a child and one opportunity as a parent to go through elementary, middle and high school. We have to get it the best we can. My children are 3 rd generation graduates of D300. This community is my home. My parents lived here and are buried here. This is where I can make, and have made, a difference. Every year, on the first day of school, I look at the Kindergarteners; some excited, some apprehensive. Not knowing what to expect. They don’t know it, but they’re counting on the school board to provide a quality, challenging education to prepare them for the world. Every year, I watch our seniors graduate; some are excited, some apprehensive. Not knowing what to expect. They counted on the board to provide them education and tools to be prepared for college or careers, for life beyond high school. THAT is why I’m seeking this position. I want to use my quiet leadership skills, critical thinking ability, patience and experience (life and on the board) to continue to affect change and improve the educational experience for our students.
3. What will be your greatest challenge if elected?
It’s important, that regardless of what happens in other areas of government, District 300 maintains its focus on strengthening public education and continuously improving the learning experience for each and every student. We are a diverse community; however we do not need to be divisive. The value of our community is directly related to the quality of the education provided within our community. We are in the business of education. Not just to some, but to all. Education is a necessity. Whether education is provided through home, private, parochial or public schools it must be exceptional and of the highest quality. Everything else falls in to place* if we maintain that vision. We cannot ever lose that focus.
*Continued financial stability
Increase graduation rates
Increase minority enrollment in AP courses
Expand Pathways Programs
Increase SAT scores in future years (This is our benchmark year)
Increase reading level for underperforming students
Release for publication? YES
I will attend the forum? YES
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