North Cook News

Valerie Hays' plan for Deerfield School District 109 begins and ends with putting students first.

"The most pressing issue currently facing District 109 is assessing the extent of our students' learning loss and socio-emotional issues caused by the pandemic and taking prompt action to address the deficits," Hays told Patch.com. "As a first step, a comprehensive analysis needs to be conducted to fully assess the losses, including parent and teacher surveys, analysis of test scores, and consideration of academic and social development deficiencies and motivational challenges that cannot be captured by standardized tests."

Hays sighs that should be only the start.

"The next step is to develop a detailed and thoughtful short and long-term plan of action," Hays said, who is running for a seat on the board as part of the ABC Deerfield slate. "In developing the plan, there should be consideration of options such as forming community partnerships with local organizations to help our staff and students, after-school programs, summer school, tutoring through interventionists and providing teachers with professional development opportunities focused on strategies for helping students overcome learning loss."

As the April 6 consolidated elections draw closer, Hays is one of eight candidates vying for four seats. However, she said she's essentially in a class all of her own.

"I think what sets me apart is my leadership and communication skills that have been developed through my career as an attorney over the last 20 years," she said. "As an attorney, I advocate on behalf of my corporate and individual clients on a regular basis, negotiate effective resolutions, and work collaboratively with stakeholders who hold diverse perspectives. As a result of my professional experience, I know how to effectively anticipate and respond to my clients' needs, communicate in a consistent and transparent manner, and articulate well-reasoned and supported explanations for why certain decisions are being made. If elected, I will apply that same level of client service to the stakeholders in this community."

Hays adds voters can trust her based on who she's always been.

"Voters should trust me because of my demonstrated commitment to public service over the years, including through my tenure as a federal prosecutor and my more recent service on various boards of directors and through my pro bono legal work," she said. "Parents should trust me because I have had kids in the District 109 schools for the last eight years, and there is value in having that historical perspective. I also have personal experience with a range of educational issues of interest to many parents, including the gifted program and the implementation of 504 plans."