ARTSpeaks/MEAC 2021 Questions to IPSD Board of Education Candidates

 -ARTSpeaks and the Music Education Advocates Coalition (MEAC) asked Indian Prairie School District Board of Education Candidates some questions. Candidates include:
  • Shannon Adcock
  • Laurie Donahue
  • Allison Fosdick
  • Saba Haider
  • Robert O. Harris
  • Supna C. Jain
  • Marina Kosak
  • Yanmei May Liang
  • Rajesh Narayan
  • Kader Sakkaria
  • Susan Taylor-Demming

All responses received by ARTSpeaks are included below (presented in alphabetical order):

1. The first board goal listed on the District 204 website is to “help all students grow socially, emotionally, and academically”. The arts are the keystone to Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). The arts enhance student performance in the classroom and help build skills
related to flexibility, adaptability and resilience.  As a board member, how will you ensure that all 204 students have access to a high-
quality arts education at all levels of instruction?

  • Shannon Adcock - I celebrate Illinois’ March 2020 approval of the State Superintendent’s recommendation to add a weighted arts indicator to its Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) state plan. That was a great advancement to recognize the importance of arts in education. Yet, there  is always more work that can be done to encourage such efforts and also funding. As a board member, I will be a champion of any and all programming that will give students access to the well-documented benefits that come from arts education! I'm skeptical of any policy that could potentially adversely affect arts education.
    Our oldest is in 6th grade. He was so excited to start the Orchestra. His amazing teacher was the first person we met at the start of Crone Middle School in August. After pulling into the circle to get school supplies-we had to remain in the car-a teacher placed his violin in our trunk and said, “Hi! I am Mrs. Kazda and I can’t wait to teach you the violin!” Her enthusiasm has never wavered and over the 5 months of remote learning, our son started to play the violin. He never once played an instrument or looked at sheet music prior to starting remote Orchestra. Her dedication and love of music gifted our son with much-needed enrichment during a very isolating time. We nominated her for the A+ Award as she has been so inspiring in her efforts to enrich all of her students. Our home has been filled with music and our son is so proud of his progress. Now that he is in-person, his dedication is only further enriched. We are very grateful.
  • Laurie Donahue - While I have been on the board, we created the goal sited in this question. The wording of the goal intentionally places SEL in front of the reference to academics to emphasize the importance of this area in a child’s education. Education is much more than academics and grades. We need to support the whole child to allow them to achieve their greatest potential.
    My children had not only an excellent academic experience attending schools in 204, but also participated in outstanding, Grammy award winning, music programs. My daughter was on the orchesis/dance teams and in chorus, my son was in the orchestra from 5th grade through high school. I recognize the importance of the arts in our students’ education. I will consistently advocate to make sure today’s students have the same excellent opportunity across elementary, middle and high school level arts programs.
    One of the most gratifying experiences I have as a board member is being able to get (usually hard to obtain) tickets for the holiday concerts at the 3 high schools. While on the board, I attended concerts at each the schools every year and was thrilled with the volume of participants and awed by their talent. I am on the board of the Indian Prairie Education Foundation which provides funding for these concerts and the District Fine Arts Festival. I not only recognize the importance of the arts in our schools, I am an active proponent of these programs in our District.
  • Allison Fosdick - As a board member, I will vote in favor of strengthening our existing arts curriculum whenever possible. I will fight against the reduction of arts-related funding. Additionally, I will actively support and encourage partnering with local arts organizations to bring accessible, inclusive opportunities and experiences to our students.
  • Saba Haider - I understand the importance of high-quality arts education at all levels of instruction. I have been a teacher, trainer and advocate of the arts, movement and mindfulness for over a decade. I have been teaching students of all ages the skills and tools to manage and improve their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing. I strongly believe that the arts have an integral role to play in raising a compassionate, creative and well-rounded future generation. The arts enhance self-awareness while also helping students perform better academically, and develop a deeper level of understanding about diverse cultures and history.As a school board member, I will work to provide high-quality education to students who want to pursue education in arts. This will include help provide scholarships to students pursuing the arts, hiring quality teachers and providing digital resources like electronic courses, and video trainings in the area of the arts
  • Robert O. Harris - On my website, www.drharris204.com are the following goals:
    A. Focus on students: Persistence, graduation, career options, and effective learning management tools.
    B. Student services: Increase student success by helping all students grow socially, emotionally, and academically. Maintain safe and healthy environments.
    C. Manage district resources: Efficiently and effectively keep open communication and collaboration with the community, district parents, and school board.
    D. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Hire effective teachers, school district leaders, and staff committed to evidence-based results and excellence. Maintain respect for all students and culture. Support the 204 District mission, inspire all students to achieve their greatest potential.
    As an advocate, I will enlist additional community (public, civic and private) support to promote and sustain the arts. I believe it is important for students to have exposure to all visual arts, literary arts, performing arts and culinary arts.
  • Supna C. Jain - As a lifelong student and teacher of the arts, I will advocate relentlessly for students to have access to a high-quality arts education program. Arts play an important role, not only during an individual’s formative years, but throughout their adult life. I found my training in the arts to be beneficial as a means to express myself, understand the world, and connect with others. From a young age I trained in classical Indian dance, western styles of dance, the piano and drums. I believe I was one of the first girls to join the snare line in my high school marching band. I enjoyed the arts so much that I graduated a semester early from both high school and college to train in music and dance in India. Although I did not pursue a career in the arts, my training in dance and music had a profound effect on my development. I continue to take classes in music and dance as an adult, and incorporate the arts into my regular life. In 2005, I Founded a nonprofit dance troupe that uses dance as a medium to raise awareness on social issues. Since 2005, I have been the Artistic Director of the organization and use the arts to empower others.My husband and I moved to the area due to the Grammy award winning music program provided by District 204. We are excited to see our 7th grader participate in Band and our 3rd grader participate in the art and music program offered at the Elementary school level. The arts are important and if elected to the board, I will rely on my values toward the arts, data, and district 204 experiences to highlight how the arts assist students in reaching district goals, such as supporting social and emotional well-being of students and encouraging inclusivity. Since enhancing both SEL and inclusivity are important goals of the district, we should view the arts not as an elective but as an essential component of a child’s education.
  • Marina Kosak - As a veteran educator of 25 years I have seen the impact that thearts can have on students. Students have a creative outlet to be themselves and this can help them grow both social emotionally as well as academically. As a board member I will ensure that programs that show evidence of having a positive impact on our students continue to be funded as we see our students thriving in the environment.
  • Yanmei May Liang
  • Rajesh Narayan
  • Kader Sakkaria - We need to secure two important things: guaranteed funding, and within that, excellent arts educators. That means locking down the money and people we already have, and if needed, expanding as well. Once we have allocated the capital and human resources needed, the rest will follow much more easily.Within this discussion, I also want to highlight the accessibility of arts education to students with special needs. As a parent of a child with special needs who has corresponded with other parents in my position, I know that for some of our students, arts and creative expression are where they can grow the most in school - it’s a space that’s in their control, where there’s a particular emphasis on a diverse range of expression. We cannot afford to lose that.
  • Susan Taylor-Demming - I fully agree that arts are an imperative part of our curriculum at each level of instruction. We are so fortunate to have an incredible commitment to ARTS, much to do with the leadership, and financial support provided by our arts foundation – the Indian Prairie Educational Foundation (IPEF). I would like to see increased information regarding the contribution that arts can play in students overall daily existence at school shared with parents. The importance our district places on arts is extremely important for our student’s overall academic achievements and the contributions to their entire core class experience is fascinating. It is critical that questioning parents understand the linkages between the arts and success in deductive reasoning math and/or science. And arts in early years, can help students learn how to express themselves. When words don’t work, a picture might, or a dance or a song. We must provide that introduction to arts as early as possible, so as they enter middle school, arts (which ever form), is truly embedded in our student’s curriculum and is valued as much as any other curriculum choice.I am extremely passionate about the ability to provide musical instrumentation opportunities to students from families that don’t have the means for monthly instrument rental and lessons. I am wistful for the days of instrument introduction in the 5th grade. I am a firm believer that if it doesn’t occur in 5th grade, the cause is a lost one. I feel we need to introduce, especially musical instrumentation to students by the end of elementary, because if they want to pursue it, in middle school, schedules have too very deliberately organized.

2. Please react to the following statement: The arts are as important a subject as math, science and reading.

  • Shannon Adcock - I would tap-dance if I could; this statement makes me happy. Education without the arts is substandard. My high school was exceptionally well-rounded in its approach to enrichment and arts education. The art programming was built into the school day as theater and chorus were actual (elective) periods during the school day. We worked on skits, original one-acts, and concert pieces. I was a proud thespian and choral member. High school theater and music taught me lessons that sustained me when I left the academic years and joined the workforce. I built skills by navigating public speaking, live performance, improvisation, recitation, dedication to rehearsals, receipt of criticism (oh, the post-rehearsal director notes!), team work as a cast, respect for a team-approach to music/theatrical production (stage design, lighting crew, sound crew, costume design, etc.) and a strong concept of inclusivity. Not to mention practicing “the show must go on” when my skirt fell down while doing a kickline (thanks heavens for solid tights). That is character-building right there. These formidable experiences still have an impact on my life today (my skirts never fell again, FYI).  Our second oldest had artwork shown at the Neuqua Fine Arts showcase and loved doing Young Rembrandts after school over the  last few years. He has missed it not being available this past year. As I write this response, my kindergarten daughter has asked me to print various coloring pages for her including a “unicorn butterfly”. Free-play art is huge in our home. As a photographer, I provided a STEAM photography class at Patterson Elementary in March 2020. When schools closed soon after, I provided daily themed photography video lessons where local students could take a photo and submit it for showcasing. Upon completion, they were given a certificate. It is therapeutic for kids to have a healthy outlet where they feel they have control and can use artistic expression. Our dining room has been converted into a makeshift classroom but at first glance, it looks more like an art room. It is colorful, happy, and filled with items that inspire our family (sloths and rainbows are numerous). We have a dedicated center for coloring and crafting.  We aren’t the greatest artists by any means but we value enrichment.
  • Laurie Donahue - I agree that the arts are as important as math, science and reading. I am an engineer, but also a flute/piccolo player. Being in my High School band was one of the most influential experiences in my life and led to life-long friendships. I have read many studies regarding the importance of the arts in education and the predominance of highly regarded scientists who also have a hobby related to the arts. I love this quote from Albert Einstein: “Imagination is more important than knowledge”. Participation in arts programs stimulates creativity, imagination, and inspiration – attributes that are beneficial in every future path students will take in life. I want the students who pass through our district to be stimulated to find new ways to solve problems and invent possibilities.
  • Allison Fosdick - I believe the arts are equally as important as subjects such as math, science, and reading. It is though music, dance, theater, poetry, and art that we learn about the experience of being human and about connecting with one another. Teaching students both about the arts and having students participate in the arts as an essential piece of education is vital. We learn how to identify our feelings, give name to our experiences, and to expresses ourselves more fully when we learn about and participate in the arts. We owe it to our students to provide a rich and diverse arts background before we send them out to process the world on their own terms.
  • Saba Haider - Yes, the arts are as important a subject as math, science and reading. The arts play an important role in a well-rounded growth of the students. Robust arts education programs help with brain development, creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking. Our students have varied gifts and talents. We have to make sure we also provide resources to those students who plan to choose a career in the field of arts. Not all of us can be doctors, engineers and lawyers. We have to create a culture in the district where all the gifts and talents of our students are celebrated and given an opportunity to thrive.
  • Robert O. Harris - The arts are important subject wise as math, science and reading is to STEM. Historically, I consider Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Ravi Shankar, Taylor Swift, Rita Moreno and Stevie Wonder artistic scientists who understand sight, sound, and motion. Their creative genius provides a foundation for architects. Consider how Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American astrophysicist, planetary scientist, author, and science communicator explains his narrative to music and the stage is a dramatic platform. These are artforms learned at institutions of learning and in our global community.
  • Supna C. Jain - The arts are indeed just as important as math, science, and reading. Creativity is among the top skills employers look for in employees. To thrive in the post graduate world, our students need to be able to adapt and provide, out of the box solutions, to today’s problem. Students exposed to the arts are able to look at problems in unique ways. They are able to tackle everyday problems through brainstorming and using their imagination. Institutions in higher education are stepping away from the importance of standardized testing and choosing students who exhibit creativity in their application (i.e. artwork, video recordings, poem).In addition, exposure to the arts has been linked to higher academic performance in other subjects, such as math, science and reading. For example, researchers have found exposure to music to be linked to stronger spatial reasoning and math, and exposure to dance to be connected to fluency in creative thinking and reading skills. The arts, along with increasing student motivation, can serve as the “glue” that connects many essential components of a student’s public education, therefore it is just as important as math, science and reading.
  • Marina Kosak - Not every student thrives in a core academic environment. I have seen students flourish in the arts and that opened doors to chase their dreams. The success that they see in the arts can spill over into their core classes like Math and Science. I worked with an AP Art teacher that incorporated reading strategies into her curriculum. The projects that her students created that year scored higher. The Arts can play an important role in a student’s life and can often be cross curricular to help students
    understand material from all subjects.
  • Yanmei May Liang
  • Rajesh Narayan
  • Kader Sakkaria - This is absolutely true. We need to educate the whole student. Arts education invigorates and supports student creativity, and also promotes good citizenship. We know that arts education also buttresses what students learn in other classes, and the social learning they do outside of the classroom. Arts can also be an outlet for expression for students whose learning styles do not fit our traditional conceptions, as well as students with particular learning disabilities.
  • Susan Taylor-Demming - Without a doubt, the arts are as vital a part of our curriculum as the three core subjects mentioned above. Research has shown that the arts contribute and help students THRIVE in their educational pursuits. Creativity is enhanced, understanding and empathy for others occurs. Commitment and staying focused is such an important part of any arts initiative, the lessons learned from any of these particular arts focuses, will remain with students throughout their entire life. The arts can also be a means of escape, which has been especially important for all of us this year, (Dance, Music, and Theater are examples). Removal for a while from some of the harsh realities, we have all experienced this year has been a blessing and extremely welcomed (theater musicians and actors performing for their neighbors).If this year has taught me anything, it is that our past pre-conceived notions of what is academically acceptable, and what is not, really needs to “go out the window”, because for some, it is exactly their arts that have given some semblance of meaning where there hasn’t been much evidence in many places this past year.

3. Please react to the following statement: The arts are an essential component of a comprehensive public-school education.
  • Shannon Adcock - Unequivocally, yes. The arts are essential regardless of the educational paradigm. It is not a coincidence that the highest rated academic institutions provide stellar art programs. Too often, the arts get further squeezed out of public education. I argue that this past year has made the case for even more encouragement of the arts. Numerous research and studies show that the arts can help people process and recover from trauma (for example, military Veterans suffering from PTSD have shown improved outcomes when using the arts as a form of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy). This past pandemic year has been very challenging for many students. Any youth struggling socially/emotionally will be hard-pressed to achieve academically. The arts can provide a sense of community and connection that can be the ultimate therapy and equalizer. I hope that our district continues to encourage participation in the arts by offering a safe space to create and contribute. We have excellent staff and resources that can provide such enrichment.

  • Laurie Donahue - Excellence in education means providing a well-rounded curriculum and experience. Studies have shown children involved in arts and music perform better, have less truancy, and receive more scholarships to college than any other activities in high school. I personally benefited from my involvement in the arts. My children grew from their experiences in these programs. I strongly believe a robust offering of music and art programming is a requirement to being recognized as a high performing school district.Remaining a top rated school district requires offering superior opportunities for our students to participate in high quality arts programming.
  • Allison Fosdick - I absolutely believe the arts are an essential component of a comprehensive public-school education. Particularly after the year of stress, anxiety, isolation, and introspection that the pandemic has rained on us, it’s more critical than ever that we give our students to tools to express themselves and work though their respective experiences. Teaching the arts and providing opportunities to participate in the arts allows students to see the similarities in their shared experiences while making space for individual expression. It teaches our students that they are not alone, and that collectively we are stronger together.
  • Saba Haider - Yes, the arts are an essential component of a comprehensive public-school education. I grew up in a household where dance, music and singing were greatly celebrated and encouraged. I learned traditional dance and singing from my mother who till date takes singing lessons. I continued to study arts, music and dance at school. I was always on stage; singing, dancing, directing plays, choregraphing, and organizing annual arts celebrations at my school. I can’t thank my arts teachers enough for igniting the fire of creativity in me, that serves me every day as a business owner, teacher, trainer, mother, and community organizer. The programs offered in my school immensely helped me find a way to be a creative, collaborative and compassionate member of the community. We have to continue to provide high quality art education to all our students in district 204.
  • Robert O. Harris - The visual arts, performing arts, literary arts and culinary arts are the foundations, building blocks andcornerstone for our cultures, creative ideas, aspirations, historical identity. We must explore the various art forms of all cultures and respectfully showcase them often.
  • Supna C. Jain - As an educator and life-long student/teacher of dance and music, I unequivocally agree with this statement. I believe a comprehensive public-school education teaches students to be life-long learners, critical thinkers, and compassionate human beings. It allows students to become more self-aware and empathetic towards others, two fundamental learning outcomes of social-emotional learning.The importance of arts can best be illustrated through my recent visit to Panama, where I had the opportunity to teach Indian dance to orphans. Although we could not speak each other’s language, we were able to connect and understand one another through the medium of dance. We laughed and bonded over Bollywood music, and learned more from one another through movement than we could from a textbook. That experience reaffirmed the importance of the arts for me.
    The arts allow individuals to communicate emotions and experiences that often cannot be expressed through words. Through regular exposure to the arts, students become more self-aware, compassionate, and understanding citizens of the world. With such incredible outcomes, it is clear that the arts are an essential component of a comprehensive public-school education.
  • Marina Kosak - An effective arts program must have a sequential scope and sequence curriculum as any core subject does. We must continue to attract highly effective teachers in the arts who will carry out the curriculum with the same academic rigor and high expectations that has been set in IPSD 204 across all areas. Research has shown that the arts provides cognitive benefits and increases academic performance for a population of students.
  • Yanmei May Liang
  • Rajesh Narayan
  • Kader Sakkaria - Once again, absolutely true. Without the arts, the world is not as vibrant. We cannot have a comprehensive education without including the arts, because if we are not teaching students about the full breadth of what the world has to offer, then it’s not comprehensive.
  • Susan Taylor-Demming - Creativity, deductive reasoning, comprehension are critical components students learning experience throughout all years of school. These skills are just an example of ones that can be enhanced by participation in the arts. Yes, we have moved away from such a dependence on rote memorization and the inclusion of critical thinking skills across the board.Public school education is designed to introduce students to all facets of education and therefore arts must be a critical part of that education stream from the earliest of years, and this is exhibited every year at the district Fine Arts Festival. We view some of the most amazing works of visual art, are witness to wonderful collaborations between high school and middle school performances.
    And of course, it is very always important to look at what the PTA is up to, if you want to have a potential view of where a school or district has its focus. Each year the PTA sponsors the Reflections Art Awareness program, which is National, but our district does participate, recognizing and celebrating arts across all levels. This is important and communicates the essential component that art plays in IPSD 204.

​4. One candidate for re-election to the 204 board in 2019 answered an ARTSpeaks question about funding for the arts as follows:
“I believe D204 is currently in decent financial shape for at least the next 4 years unless something drastically happens at the State
level.”  Currently, the financial impact of the pandemic on future state funding for education is uncertain. If for any reason there is a reduction in the State of Illinois funding for public education, will you propose targeted cuts that disproportionately impact the arts? Please explain your answer.
  • Shannon Adcock - Something drastic did happen, didn’t it? The global pandemic of Covid-19 has altered everyone’s lives. We have the funding for arts; prudent spending can always make the allowance. Given the isolation of the past year, it would be great to build an even more robust arts education at all school levels. I would never propose targeted cuts that adversely affect the arts. On top of committed district budgeting, it would be great to see a centralized, district-wide grant coordination to leverage additional funds for art programming. At the school level, community volunteers can be incredibly valuable in promoting art enrichment and extracurricular activities. There is so much talent throughout our district! A collaborative approach to arts education is essential.
  • Laurie Donahue - District 204 funding is a topic that requires continuous vigilance. Our District operates on an extremely tight budget. If you line up all the State of Illinois school mandates, we are 80% funded. As a result, we have large class sizes and are below the state average for spending per student. We have a very high dependency of local taxes and State of Illinois funding. There are ongoing conversations by law-makers regarding pension shifting, property tax freezes, and refinements to the current school funding formula (evidence based funding) that would have significant financial implications to school funding. TIF districts in Aurora and Naperville are continuous discussions and can have very detrimental impacts on school funding. In the past year, the board signed an innovative agreement with the City of Aurora to protect district funding. The board will need to be attentive and active in continuing school funding discussions.I believe my comments on the previous questions articulates my experience and understanding that exposure and participation in the arts programs are essential to offering a complete educational experience. I would not support disproportionately targeting the arts programs if our District funding was reduced.
  • Allison Fosdick - If elected, I will in fact do the opposite—I will fight against budget cuts in arts programming for our students because I believe it’s of the utmost importance for their current and future well-being. Exposure to the arts as a vital part of the curriculum guarantees that ALL students reap the benefits of that exposure, whether or not they choose to participate in extra-curricular artistic endeavors.
  • Saba Haider - I will not propose cuts that disproportionately impact the arts. The art help students become strong; socially, emotionally and mentally. I have been an advocate for SEL of our students for a long time. Once elected as a school board member, I’ll work hard to make sure that our students have access to high-quality arts education in our district.While the financial impact of the pandemic on future state funding for education is uncertain, how and what resources we provide our students moving forward will be critical in the recovery process, post-pandemic. Kids are not only experiencing educational loss but also social, emotional and mental challenges. The arts can provide great tools, skills and an outlet to our students to come out of the pandemic, resilient and thriving.
  • Robert O. Harris - Currently, the financial impact of the pandemic on future state funding for education is uncertain. If for any reason there is a reduction in the State of Illinois funding for public education, will you propose targeted cuts that disproportionately impact the arts? Please explain your answer. I am in favor of funding the the Arts and seeking internal and external local, state, and federal funding.
  • Supna C. Jain - The financial state of Illinois is one of great concern. In our most recent board meeting (2/8/21), Chief School Business Official, Jay Strang, stated that Illinois has up to $10B of outstanding payments, with a $20B budget. Although 80% of D204’s budget comes from local resources, we rely on up to 15% of our revenue coming from the State to run our programs. Despite State funding, we are currently at 78% adequacy, meaning that we are functioning on 78% of a budget we ought to have for the programs we offer. As a result, we can spend $12.5K/student, which is $2K less than the state average. Thus school board members must fiercely protect the financial interest of the district, by ensuring new developers, such as CityGate West, pay their fair share in taxes to support additional students that move into the area. They must continue to be thoughtful with spending on district programs, and we must continue to have conversations with local representatives to ensure our district is properly funded and supported by federal, state, and local agencies. Despite the lean budget district 204 operates on, I will not propose targeted cuts that disproportionately impact the arts. Programs need to be looked at wholistically and decisions need to be made that do not disproportionately impact any of our programs.
  • Marina Kosak - If it comes to the point where we are having to cut programs I believe we will need to look at those programs that data based evidence shows are not having an impact on our students in helping them grow academically or social emotionally. This would be from all different parts of the budget. I am also a big proponent of having a dialogue with our stakeholders to understand how programs impact their students (both good and bad) and be transparent with people so that if unfortunately something needs to be cut they know that they were heard. We need to work together as a community in having meaningful conversations when any student is impacted by decisions made at the board level.
  • Yanmei May Liang
  • Rajesh Narayan
  • Kader Sakkaria - I would not propose cuts that disproportionately affect the arts. Our finances are not dire right now, and so we have some room to reinvestigate current distribution of funds and cut out unnecessary spending. As I affirmed in my previous answers, arts education is necessary spending, just as necessary as any traditionally-defined “core” curriculum.
  • Susan Taylor-Demming - The State of Illinois provides funding for public schools through Evidence Based Funding and we are able to fund our district approximately at an 82% level of what the parameters the state feels we should provide to our students. Therefore, the state does contribute quite significantly to our district coffers. We have been operating very lean for the past number of years and when determinations had to be made by the board to cut over $50MM a few years ago, they made those decisions across the board, they did not target only one area of our curriculum. If we find ourselves in a similar situation, I will indeed follow the pattern established by our previous board and would not arbitrarily seek to target one area of our curriculum and especially not one that means so much to a large population of our students. I commit that I will weigh all considerations and seek to make cuts as possible in areas that would not have a distinct, negative impact on our students.

5. Please read the following resolution proposed for all school boards by The National Coalition for Core Arts Standards (NCCAS) as part of their Arts ARE Education campaign. The question follows the proposed resolution.

Whereas all students have the right to an arts education that includes dance, media arts, music, theatre, and visual arts taught by certified arts educators, in partnership with community providers.
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Whereas arts education has the power to change students’ lives.
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Whereas arts education is a key to re-igniting students’ learning in a post-COVID-19 world.
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Whereas arts education helps nurture healthy, inclusive communities where all points of view are respected.
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Whereas arts education experiences help students understand their own cultural roots and appreciate others’ cultural roots and traditions.
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Whereas arts education supports the social and emotional well-being of students and fosters a more positive, safer school environment. 
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Whereas arts education is part of the well-rounded education for every student as outlined in the Every Student Succeeds Act and in state law.

Therefore, School District 204 pledges to maintain and grow our arts education programs in the 2021-22 school year and beyond.

Yes or No: If elected, would you support a similar board resolution that affirms the value of arts education programs in Indian Prairie School District 204?
  • Shannon Adcock - Yes. How can anyone argue against such a resolution? If you want unwavering support of the arts on the IPSD 204 Board of Education, I am your 0nce-a-thespian-always-a-thespian-crayon-loving-photography-nerd-candidate.
  • Laurie Donahue - Yes, I support the resolution and the concept of continuing to maintain and grow our arts programs in the District.
  • Allison Fosdick - Yes, I would absolutely support a similar board resolution in IPSD 204. The arts have the power to change us all for the better, and each and every student in 204 deserves that chance to grow.
  • Saba Haider - Yes, I would support a similar board resolution that affirms the value of arts education programs in Indian Prairie School District 204.
  • Robert O. Harris - Yes…I support the value of Arts education programs in Indian Prairie School District 204, 100%.
  • Supna C. Jain - Absolutely Yes!
  • Marina Kosak - Yes!
  • Yanmei May Liang
  • Rajesh Narayan
  • Kader Sakkaria - Yes, I would support a similar resolution, absolutely!
  • Susan Taylor-Demming - Yes, I would welcome our board to consider a resolution reaffirming the value of arts inclusion in our district and the significant contributions arts provides, especially to our students. We are a district where each of our high schools are recognized as Grammy Award winning high schools………it is evident that the arts play a significant contribution to the overall success of many of our students. As such, I think the board would seriously welcome consideration of such a resolution.
GET INVOLVED BY ATTENDING AN EVENT!

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