District 25 School Board Candidate: Denise Glasgow

Name Denise Glasgow

How long have you been a resident of District 25? Life long resident-46 years.

Biographical Information (optional) family, profession, background, etc. 

Married to Thomas Glasgow, children-Alexis, Trevor and Claudia.  College-Bachelors-Elementary Education, Masters-Educational Curriculum, Doctorate-Educational LeadershipFormer Elementary School Teacher.Former Elementary School Principal, Former Assistant Superintendent - Curriculum and Instruction 

Why are you running for the District 25 board? 

I feel that my prior experience and expertise in education have been an asset to the board in helping to be fiscally responsible and provide students in AHSD 25 the academic, social and emotional education needed to prepare them for the 21st century.  I also feel that as a graduate of AHSD 25 and a life long resident, it is my way to give back to my community and school district.

What is your opinion on the offering of world languages to younger students in District 25, taking into account the attached costs? 

I am a strong advocate of world languages.  Both of my parents immigrated to America from Germany in the 1950s and I was raised speaking two languages.  However, given the current financial climate, there are many unknowns with the State of Illinois' finance.  These unknowns have the potential to directly impact the district.  The State's financial woes combined with the lack of continued student interest in the current world language offered at the elementary level, led me to the conclusion that it was not in our best financial interest to offer a world language at the elementary level at this time.  

What is your opinion of the recently introduced outside evaluation of special education offerings in the school district? 

I believe that this report has opened up many venues for discussion on special education.  I tend to look at things in a positive manner, but as with any outside evaluation, there are gaps and flaws to the report. The report is only the beginning of a special education committee, which will begin to meet and discuss all facets of AHSD 25 special education services.  

In the search for a new superintendent, what are the qualities you will look for in a new leader for District 25? 

We will begin to interview superintendent search firms in the upcoming months. The search firm will be seeking assistance from our community, parents, staff and students for the qualities they are looking for in a new leader of AHSD 25. I believe being an integral part of the Arlington Heights community and being able to communicate with parents, staff and students as well as being a strong visionary leader in these financial times will be qualities to look for in the new superintendent.  

What, if any, improvements would you like to see in the way the board is run? 

I believe we can always improve communication between the school district/board.  We need to continue to look for ways to enable the community to better understand and discuss school district issues.  We have great strength when we collaborate and work together.  Finding ways to harness the collective resources of our community can only make our school district stronger.

Additional comments and/or information you deem important for District 25 voters to know about you. 

Thank you for allowing me to serve as an AHSD 25 school board member for the past eight years.  I hope you choose to allow me to serve you for four additional years.