KATHLEEN ODELL

candidate for 2025 District 200 School Board

1. What motivates you to seek this office? What makes you qualified to serve? What sets you apart from other candidates? What metrics of success do you plan on holding yourself accountable to?

I’m running for the OPRF School Board because I care about our kids, our schools and our community.

​I am an OPRF parent, with a senior and a freshman this year.  I currently serve on the D200 Community Finance Committee (CFC), advising the board on financial matters. I am also a member of the Village of Oak Park Energy and Environment Commission, work that is well-aligned with the D200 commitment to sustainability.

Professionally, I am an educator: Associate Provost and Professor of Economics at Dominican University. I have almost a decade of higher education leadership experience at Dominican, and over 15 years of teaching experience. In my current role, I continue to teach, in order to stay connected to what is happening with faculty and students, to pursue my passion for economics, and because I love being in the classroom.

​My leadership experience in higher education, my training in economics, and my experience on the CFC make me uniquely qualified to serve on the board.  

2. What do you see as the three biggest challenges or opportunities facing District 200 in and what role do you see the Board playing to address them over the next four years? 

(1) Completing Project 2 on time and on budget.  The new facilities that are included in Project 2 will be transformative for the student experience at OPRF, and also for the staff and faculty who will work in this part of the building.  We want students benefiting from that project as soon as possible. The role of the board is to continue to monitor and receive updates on progress, and to be prepared to make adjustments as needed. 

(2) Responding to rapidly shifting federal policies and practices related to immigration, race & gender, health policy, curriculum and funding.  The role of the board will be to stay informed and to be prepared to make decisions in line with the values of our community and the best interests of our students. 

(3) Continuing to expand post-graduation pathways for students, including both college and career-focused opportunities. The district currently offers career pathway endorsement opportunities in nursing and education, and has identified adding additional pathways as a strategic priority. The board’s role will be to allocate resources to support this expansion and to ensure that this work continues to serve OPRF’s students as they prepare for their futures beyond high school.

3. What is your decision making process? What steps can the Board take to ensure transparency, clear communication, and community engagement – hearing from the broad spectrum of families about their experiences of the Oak Park River Forest High School, and the full range of District 200’s constituents? 

My decision-making process is to become as knowledgeable as possible about topics relevant to the decision, to listen to the perspectives of stakeholders, and then to make a decision that is guided by that information, informed by my expertise, and aligned with my core values. Within an educational institution, decision-making can often be simplified by asking the question, what is best for our students?

4. Please share your thoughts about District 200’s current financial picture. What’s your understanding of the Board’s role in the budgeting process and the allocation of resources? Do you have organizational finance experience?

Approving the budget and allocating resources to support the district’s strategic priorities are key responsibilities of the board.  As a member for two years of the Board’s Community Finance Committee, I have had the opportunity to review the annual budgets, projections, and other financial matters. Overall, the district’s financial position is strong. The fund balance is projected to fall within the board mandated 25 and 50% of the operating budget, after spending on Project 2. The district’s tax increase has been below the maximum allowable amount for the past several years. And, the district is one of six schools in Illinois that has a AAA bond rating. 

I have a PhD in economics, and have budgeting and finance responsibility in my role as Associate Provost at Dominican.

5. What would you say to voters who are worried about the tax burden? What are your thoughts about the Imagine Project, ongoing facility maintenance projects and how capital costs should be approached and balanced with the educational program offered to students?

 As a homeowner in Oak Park, I experience our local taxes and share the concerns of many in our communities about the tax burden. OPRF makes up about 25% of our local tax bill, so every decision the board makes about the budget and the levy have a direct effect on the households in our communities. 

The five phase Imagine Project is bringing much needed capital improvement to the school. I’m not sure it is fair to ask about how capital costs should be balanced with the educational program. Safe, modern, accessible facilities are integral to delivering high quality academic programs. In a short-term situation, if a choice needs to be made between capital projects versus teachers, librarians, and aides, then the priority has to be the people. However, the board has a responsibility in the long-term to advance both priorities and to maintain the facilities today to avoid higher costs for future boards and administrations.

6. How will you work to ensure that District 200 provides an excellent educational experience for each student? What metrics of success do you plan on holding yourself accountable to? 

Recent curricular innovations, including the freshman curriculum redesign and changes to the math curriculum, are examples of initiatives designed to provide opportunities for all student to excel, thrive, and find the educational pathway that meets their aspirations and abilities.  I will support the continued implementation and fine-tuning of these curricular initiatives.

Expanding career pathway certifications is another way to ensure that all students find the educational experience that they need. It is also essential to support and maintain high quality programs in music, art, and theater, and to ensure that students have access to rigorous honors and AP classes in a wide range of disciplines. I will work to support all of these initiatives by participating actively in discussions at the board level, hearing the perspectives of the administration, teachers, students, and community members, and working to identify opportunities to direct resources to enhance programs. 

It’s my understanding that the current board has worked on defining metrics for an annual self-evaluation, so in terms of accountability, I will begin with understanding the current process. I think it is always helpful to benchmark against similar/peer institutions both to define metrics and to contextualize outcome data.

7. Special education is required by federal law. Please share your understanding of the special education programs at District 200 and how you will work to ensure that District 200 provides an excellent education for students in need of special education?

As required by law, D200 offers a full range of programs for students in need of special education, available to students through graduation or age 22.  It is my understanding that the bulk of federal funding received by OPRF is used to support special education programming.  If elected to the board, a priority for me will be to understand the extent to which disruptions to the flow of federal funds has the potential to affect special education programming, and to work with the administration to ensure that a contingency plan is in place for such a disruption.The detracked Honors for All freshman curriculum is one of the most important equity initiatives currently underway at OPRF. Since 2022, most freshmen coming into the high school participate in honors-level courses in science, English and history. The current freshman class is the third class to participate in the revised curriculum, which means that the data is just coming in about the its outcomes.  What we know so far is that more students are taking AP exams and overall AP scores are improving, and standardized test scores remain relatively stable. As mentioned above, attention is needed to improve outcomes for freshmen who are struggling.  

If elected, I will support the continued implementation of the new curriculum, along with data-informed adjustments to make it better. 

8. What is your impression of the implementation of District 200’s Access for All detracking curriculum redesign program and of detracking efforts generally? 

The detracked Honors for All freshman curriculum is one of the most important equity initiatives currently underway at OPRF. Since 2022, most freshmen coming into the high school participate in honors-level courses in science, English and history. The current freshman class is the third class to participate in the revised curriculum, which means that the data is just coming in about the its outcomes.  What we know so far is that more students are taking AP exams and overall AP scores are improving, and standardized test scores remain relatively stable. As mentioned above, attention is needed to improve outcomes for freshmen who are struggling.  

If elected, I will support the continued implementation of the new curriculum, along with data-informed adjustments to make it better. 

9. District 200 has taken some steps to move away from policing and surveillance in schools toward restorative justice, mental health supports, and other services in schools. Do you think these moves have been successful? Please explain. What work do you believe remains to be done in this area? 

I am supportive and appreciative of this approach. Data shows that exclusionary disciplinary actions taken by the school, such as out of school suspensions, disproportionally affect students of color at OPRF.  

A restorative justice approach centers student well-being and is appropriately aligned with the role of the high school: to provide a high-quality education that prepares all students for their futures. Under this approach, the goal is to keep students in school and to provide structure and guidance to help students stay on track and work through disciplinary issues. Importantly, the use of restorative practices is called for by Illinois state law. 

Data shared with board candidates by the district indicate a decline over the last several years in the number of students involved in incidents of inappropriate physical contact.  

Of course, any threats of violence or extreme violations such as bringing weapons into the school, must be taken extremely seriously. 

10. Do you see a role for the District 200 Board in ensuring that OPRFHS is welcoming and safe for students in minority populations, whether immigrant, racial, religious identity, LGBTQ+, etc.? What specific actions or policies would you support? Please share your thoughts about District 200’s role in responding to recent national executive orders.

Of course, the board has an important responsibility to set policy the ensures that the high school is a welcoming and safe environment for all students. Every student should feel safe and welcome at school. One important action item for the board is to allocate resources to professional development for faculty and staff, to be equipped to work with students as they navigate complex issues and disagreements. In a diverse community such as OPRF, a diversity of perspectives is expected. Learning to engage with each other across difference, in ways that are respectful and constructive, is an important part of the students’ education. 

There are at least five areas where the district will need to be prepared and organized to respond to changes at the national level, while staying in compliance with relevant state and federal laws. 

First, ensuring the safety of immigrant students and families is critical. The school needs to ensure that policy is in place regarding how law enforcement is received at the school entrance and the need for a warrant, signed by a judge, to come on school property. Data management policies should be reviewed to avoid collection or retention of any unnecessary information pertaining to student or family immigration status. 

Second, as federal policies regarding LGBTQ+ students shift, the district must uphold and extend protections for these students. Gay, trans, and non-binary students have the right to feel safe and supported at school. All-gender spaces must maintained and expanded, and again, data management practices should be reviewed to ensure that the district does not retain any unnecessary data. 

Third, the district has identified racial equity as a strategic priority. This work must be preserved, and the district should continue to work toward eliminating race as a predictor of student outcomes. 

Fourth, while there may be changes in federal health and wellness policies, the district must maintain a science-based approach.  

Finally, curriculum. The OPRF curriculum must remain robust, standards-based, and culturally responsive. 

11. Researchers continue to report that significant numbers of students experience poor mental health. Many students seriously consider attempting suicide and a subset of these students attempt suicide. What can District 200 do to address this trend? 

Suicide prevention and support for students with suicidal ideation, are integral to a holistic approach to student safety. 

Some key activities include: 

  • Professional development for faculty and staff to identify and respond to students both before and when they are in crisis 

  • Developing and maintaining a culture of inclusion and belonging 

  • Mental health and social support services

  • Crisis response preparedness

  • Effective communication strategies and ready access to information for students and families

  • Targeted support for LGBTQ+ students

  • Connections to external mental wellness services 

Reference: Chicago Public Schools Comprehensive Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Policy

12. What approach should District 200 take towards intergovernmental cooperation initiatives such as the Collaboration for Early Childhood Development? Are there other specific initiatives that you would like to implement or expand upon with other local and or regional governing bodies and nonprofits?

I am supportive of extensive community engagement and collaboration, which makes our local institutions stronger. The District should continue its current engagement with the Collaboration for Early Childhood, including having members of the board who are designated as liaisons to the organization. A holistic approach to childhood development, from early childhood through elementary and high school, benefits all children and makes our community better.  

Another important area of collaboration is the ways in which the high school engages and partners with the elementary school districts (D90, D97, and private schools) to align curriculum and ensure that the middle schools are preparing students for their freshman courses.

13. Should District 200 handle the question around the removal of books from library and classroom shelves, curriculum and other instructional tools if community members deem the content to be inappropriate, too controversial or objectionable? 

I support students having access to any and all books, including those that may be deemed controversial, objectionable, or inappropriate. Teachers and librarians should be prepared to provide context, support and facilitate conversations, as needed. 

14. One of the District 200 Board’s primary responsibilities is oversight of the Superintendent. What criteria do you believe the Board should use to evaluate the performance of the Superintendent?

The Illinois Association of School Boards document The Superintendent Evaluation Process, outlines best practices. This guidance document provides a number of helpful principles on the importance of a deliberate and collaborative evaluation process. The district policy on evaluation calls for an annual evaluation based upon standards and objectives developed by the board and the superintendent. 

My approach to this process will be to understand the current evaluation process, including the criteria for evaluation, and then to work with the other members of the board to determine whether any refinements are needed. I would advocate for criteria related to financial management, staffing, academic outcomes, climate and culture, and community engagement.

15. Last November, Oak Park voters overwhelmingly approved a ballot initiative that proposed that voters be able to approve ordinances and policies though a direct vote. At this point the vote on the ballot initiative was advisory or non-binding. The next step is for the Village or any other taxing body in Oak Park (as reported by the Wednesday Journal, November 7, 2024) to decide whether or not to place the issue on the ballot as a binding referendum. Please share yCampaign our views on this initiative. 

I’m in the minority and voted no on this ballot initiative. I appreciate our representative local government, and recognize the tremendous amount of work, research, and thought that goes into service on local elected boards. I agree with the principle of empowering voters to make their voices heard, but I’m not convinced that direct vote is a practical way to set local policy, especially given the low turnout that we normally see in our local elections.

Read more information about Kathleen here:

Campaign website