Meet Raquel Don, candidate for the Chicago school board’s 7th District

Academics

About 31% of Chicago Public Schools elementary students are meeting state standards in reading, and 19% are meeting math standards. How would you approach growing reading and math achievement?^*
First, we need to ensure all students have a strong foundation which is a multi-tier system of supports team and vertical alignment of curriculum of each core subject across all grade levels.

Do you support standardized testing more than once a year?
No. I understand the need for testing. But conducting multiple tests per year takes away from instruction time and due to the testers’ need of silence, results in no recess or gym time for many schools.

Do you support requiring all schools to select from a certain curriculum authorized by the board of education?
Yes. There needs to be consistency among schools.

Chicago Public Schools has consistently fallen short when it comes to serving students with disabilities. What would you do to improve special education?
All schools need access to a full multi-tier system of supports team. Then all families need education about these supports and their benefits.

CPS finances

In recent years, Chicago’s Board of Education has consistently raised the property tax levy to the maximum allowed by state law every year. Should the board continue to raise the levy to the maximum?
No. We need to analyze and better strategize the use of the existing budget because the option to raise taxes should be a last-resort solution.

Do you think CPS needs more funding, or do you think the school district’s budget is bloated? How would you balance the CPS budget?^*
As a local school council member, I have seen how the budget causes chaos in schools when prioritizing their needs. The distribution of the current budget needs to be reassessed.

School choice

Do you support the current board of education’s decision to prioritize neighborhood schools and shift away from the current system of school choice with selective enrollment, magnet and charter schools?
No. School choices for students should not be removed without first presenting families with a better option. One type of school is not conducive to all students regarding their whole educational experience.

Given the board of education’s decision to prioritize neighborhood schools, how would you balance supporting those schools without undermining the city’s selective enrollment schools and other specialized programs?^*
Students deserve a budget that will allow their school to successfully fulfill their needs.

The first charter school opened in Chicago in 1997 and these privately run, publicly funded schools grew in number throughout the 2000s. Today, 54,000 Chicago Public Schools students, or about 17%, attend charters and contract schools. Do you support having charter schools in CPS as an option for students?
Yes.

Independence

If elected, how will you maintain your independence from the mayor’s office, the Chicago Teachers Union or other powerful forces shaping the school system?^*
As a mother, my concern and focus has always been on the children. I have intentionally stayed away from any other agendas, especially a political one because it will only limit my voice in advocating for the students and their schools.

Police in schools

Do you support having sworn Chicago Police Department officers stationed in schools?
Yes. A school’s safety should be determined by those that know it best which is that school’s community.

Busing and facilities

Last year, in an effort to prioritize transportation for students with disabilities as required by state and federal law, CPS canceled busing for general education students who attend selective enrollment and magnet schools and hasn’t found a solution to reinstate that service. Do you support busing for general education students?
Yes. As a parent, I understand the hardships of getting students to and from school safely.

About one-third of Chicago public school buildings have space for at least double the students they’re currently enrolling. Chicago officials have previously viewed under-enrolled schools as an inefficient use of limited resources — and a decade ago the city closed a record 50 schools. Do you support closing schools for low enrollment?
Yes. [I support] IF the voices of all stakeholders are heard, valued and prioritized before any plans to close a school. Underenrolled schools are an indication that the community’s needs are not being met.

Bilingual education

CPS has long struggled to comply with state and federal laws requiring bilingual programs at schools that enroll 20 or more students who speak a different language. The recent influx of migrant families has exacerbated the problem. What policies do you support to ensure the district is supporting bilingual students and in compliance with state and federal laws?
As a local school council member that attended district-wide meetings, I learned that many schools do not have an adequate curriculum for English language learning students to be proficient in English. These resources need to be assessed to further identify supports that can be implemented.

Top local issue

Please share one issue that’s a top concern for your community or your larger elected school board voting district.
At minimum, we need to provide a quality education in a safe building and environment to all students.