Biegel 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: Emily Biegel

Age (as of Election Day): 39

Town/city of residence: Frankfort

School district: Lincoln-Way Community High School District 210

Family:

I am a long-time Frankfort resident who has lived in the Lincoln-Way district since 1996. I am currently a wife, mom to two kids ages 8 and 5.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

I earned my BS in Special Education from the University of Illinois, her MBA from Northern Illinois University, and her Secondary Education certification from Roosevelt University.

Occupation:

I teach business and computer science classes at Thornton Fractional North High School in Calumet City. This is my 10th year teaching.

Campaign website: Can be found here.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Precinct Committeeperson

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

It is critical that LW210 school board members foster positive relationships with teachers, students, administrators, and community members so that we can all work together to ensure that all students thrive while in our schools. Using an equity lens, I will identify and support opportunities to meet student needs and create an inclusive environment.

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

I am running for the District 210 school board because in addition to my business background, a teacher perspective and a teacher voice are critical components to ensuring that conditions in which teachers work and students learn are top-notch.

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

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

N/A

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

N/A

Why should voters trust you?

As a teacher, I have already shown my dedication to being a public servant while acting in the best interests of public education and my students. If elected to the 210 school board, I will continue to do just that through resident interaction and by actively listening to our community.

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

I look forward to finding ways to amplify student voice including the implementation of voting field trips. As a teacher, I have chaperoned such field trips and have seen my students use their voice to amend the current election code with the passage of SB1970. This allows students to have two hours away from school without penalty so that they can vote. This helps students become lifelong voters, see the power of their voice, and experience civics lessons in real time.

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

It is our duty to be responsible stewards of tax-payer dollars while ensuring that schools in which our students learn and teachers teach are top-notch.

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?

Yes. Protest is patriotic. I always support a person’s first amendment right.

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

In terms of equity, our district has made progress, but I think we have room to improve. For starters, I would like to see the district recruit and retain a more diversified staff, include representatives from HBCUs at college fairs, and hold and publicize district wide/community events to celebrate things like Hispanic Heritage Month, Black History Month, Women’s History Month, and Asian/Pacific Islander month. Obviously we should be celebrating and including these histories year round, and we likely do, but these larger celebrations would be a good start. This summer there were meetings and dialogues with many stakeholders including students surrounding equity improvements for the district. If elected, I would like to get monthly follow up on what actions are being taken and how the improvements are being measured.

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?

It is always important to maintain safe and healthy learning environments. To that end, I am in favor of remote learning as a way to make this happen. Students and staff thrive on plans, predictability, and routines. It is important that districts follow the metrics created and agreed upon for deciding when to be remote and/or hybrid.

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

There is currently not enough supply to support mandatory vaccines. At the moment I would like to see every person who would like a vaccine be able to easily get one.

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

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

N/A