Woodland PTA District 50
School Board Candidate Forum 2021
Thank you to the Woodland District 50 School Board candidates that came out on Tuesday, March 9th to our virtual candidate forum. You may view the recording in the YouTube link below. Thank you also to our neutral moderator Pat Arnold, from another district.
He asked the candidates 6 predetermined questions, in an order determined by a randomizer.
The District 50 PTA is acting as a neutral party and will not be supporting any particular candidate(s) for this election. This forum aims to allow the community members an opportunity to learn more about the candidates for the School Board in the upcoming election. The ground rules of the forum are posted below as a reference.
| Candidate Forum Ground Rules |
Moderator
Pat Arnold
Pat was born and raised in Johnsburg, IL. He currently resides in McHenry with his wife and two children. Pat is a second-generation Electrician and a 22 year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 117. He works currently as a project superintendent for Lamp incorporated in Elgin, IL. In the past, Pat has been involved with Cub Scout Pack 131, the McHenry Baseball Association and the Economic Development Commission for the City of McHenry. Presently, Pat is a member of the Board of Education for McHenry Community High School District 156 where he serves as the Board's Secretary Pro-Tem.
Pat Arnold
Pat was born and raised in Johnsburg, IL. He currently resides in McHenry with his wife and two children. Pat is a second-generation Electrician and a 22 year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 117. He works currently as a project superintendent for Lamp incorporated in Elgin, IL. In the past, Pat has been involved with Cub Scout Pack 131, the McHenry Baseball Association and the Economic Development Commission for the City of McHenry. Presently, Pat is a member of the Board of Education for McHenry Community High School District 156 where he serves as the Board's Secretary Pro-Tem.
School Board Candidates
The Candidates submitted their biography information. This information was not written or edited by the PTA.
Candidates are listed in the order as they appear on the Lake County Voter Services April Candidate List.
Joseph DeRosa
Candidate for Unexpired 2 Year term
Biography
I've served as a member of the Woodland school board for the past four years. Ten years ago, my wife Becky and our three kids, Joey, Ainsley and Naomi, moved into the district, and I've been actively engaged in the community ever since. I believe my role as a board member is to help set the mission, vision, and goals for the district. When I first ran for the board, I had a set of priorities I believed were important for our community, but in the time since, I've realized there is really only one priority that matters: we need to do the best we can with the resources we have to provide our students with a safe, equitable, high-quality education that inspires them to be creative, conscientious, and caring.
Candidate for Unexpired 2 Year term
Biography
I've served as a member of the Woodland school board for the past four years. Ten years ago, my wife Becky and our three kids, Joey, Ainsley and Naomi, moved into the district, and I've been actively engaged in the community ever since. I believe my role as a board member is to help set the mission, vision, and goals for the district. When I first ran for the board, I had a set of priorities I believed were important for our community, but in the time since, I've realized there is really only one priority that matters: we need to do the best we can with the resources we have to provide our students with a safe, equitable, high-quality education that inspires them to be creative, conscientious, and caring.
Brianna Powvens (Write-In)
Candidate for Unexpired 2 Year term
Biography
I am at stay-at-home-mom with two children in Woodland. Previously I was a high school teacher with a bachelor's degree in math and sociology. I will ensure families in our district have their voices heard. I stand for all students regardless of race, sexual orientation, or economic background. I will always remember that the school board is spending your money, and ensure money is spent intelligently. Because of my background, I will bring a mother's and teacher's viewpoint to the board decisions. I will vote to support all students with the same care I give to decisions that impact my children.
Carla N. Little
Candidate for Full 4 Year term
Biography
I am running for re-election to the Woodland BOE because I believe that each child should be provided a high quality public educational system where they can thrive and grow to become their best selves. I believe that the Board has an obligation to maintain the fiscal health of our district by acting responsibly with tax – payers’ dollars. I believe that Woodland District #50 has done a great job with developing top – notch curriculum and creating a nurturing learning environment for our diverse community of students and staff. I believe that we should strive to do better and I would like to be a part of that mission.
Candidate for Full 4 Year term
Biography
I am running for re-election to the Woodland BOE because I believe that each child should be provided a high quality public educational system where they can thrive and grow to become their best selves. I believe that the Board has an obligation to maintain the fiscal health of our district by acting responsibly with tax – payers’ dollars. I believe that Woodland District #50 has done a great job with developing top – notch curriculum and creating a nurturing learning environment for our diverse community of students and staff. I believe that we should strive to do better and I would like to be a part of that mission.
Anna Chang-Yen
Candidate for Full 4 Year term
Biography
I am a mother of 12-year-old twins who attend Woodland Middle School. My husband, David, is an engineer and we have lived in Lake County for about 12 years. I am involved in the PTA and have a background covering education as a newspaper journalist. I have volunteered as a court-appointed advocate for abused and neglected children and as a tutor for refugee children. If elected to the Board of Education, my priorities will be getting more input from the community, better serving children with special needs, and promoting financial responsibility and sustainability.
Renea Amen
Candidate for Full 4 Year term
Biography
Renea Amen earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College of Missouri and her Juris Doctorate Degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Renea is an adjunct professor at Columbia College of Missouri where she teaches Business Law and serves as a member of the Woodland District 50 School Board. Renea is one of the founding partners of the Bur-Men Law Group, located in Waukegan, Illinois. Renea’s strong passion for helping the community and people personally is what drives her and makes her a zealous advocate for her clients and the students in the district that she serves. If retained, Renea intends to focus on transparency, fiscal responsibility, student and teacher moral, and true parent participation.
Candidate for Full 4 Year term
Biography
Renea Amen earned her bachelor’s degree from Columbia College of Missouri and her Juris Doctorate Degree from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago. Renea is an adjunct professor at Columbia College of Missouri where she teaches Business Law and serves as a member of the Woodland District 50 School Board. Renea is one of the founding partners of the Bur-Men Law Group, located in Waukegan, Illinois. Renea’s strong passion for helping the community and people personally is what drives her and makes her a zealous advocate for her clients and the students in the district that she serves. If retained, Renea intends to focus on transparency, fiscal responsibility, student and teacher moral, and true parent participation.
Corey Holmer
Candidate for Full 4 Year term
Biography
Corey Holmer and his wife Jamie live in Vista Ridge. He is an Educational Technologist at Lake Forest High School where he also serves as a tech director for the theater department and as the National Honor Society faculty advisor. Prior, he taught for District 47 in Crystal Lake as a middle school science teacher and instructional technology coach. Corey was appointed to the Board of Education in the summer of 2020 and is now running for a 4-year position. He hopes to bring his educator's perspective to the Woodland 50 Board of Education.
Katie A. Salyer Szostak (Write-In)
Candidate for Full 4 Year term
Biography
My name is Katie Salyer Szostak. I am a mom of two, proud of and dedicated to our Woodland Schools. I am also a Clinical Psychologist with experience on strategic planning committees. I am a write-in candidate for the 4 year term on the Board of Education. Supporting our diverse community is a challenge, particularly during a pandemic. Our administration, teachers and families each have valid and valuable voices, and the Board's work is to facilitate plans incorporating both the needs and the expertise of each of these perspectives. Guided by science and psychology, I aim to serve the community by identifying safe opportunities for students to learn and grow in our complex world.
Candidate for Full 4 Year term
Biography
My name is Katie Salyer Szostak. I am a mom of two, proud of and dedicated to our Woodland Schools. I am also a Clinical Psychologist with experience on strategic planning committees. I am a write-in candidate for the 4 year term on the Board of Education. Supporting our diverse community is a challenge, particularly during a pandemic. Our administration, teachers and families each have valid and valuable voices, and the Board's work is to facilitate plans incorporating both the needs and the expertise of each of these perspectives. Guided by science and psychology, I aim to serve the community by identifying safe opportunities for students to learn and grow in our complex world.
Richard A. Stader-Shaw (Write-In)
Candidate for Full 4 Year term
Biography
My name is Richard Stader-Shaw and I am a two half year resident of Gurnee. I currently have two children (nine and seven years) that attend the District 50 school system. I’m a full-time soldier in the Illinois Army National Guard and my current position is Battalion Retention Manager. Previously I was a Recruiter in the Illinois Army National Guard for seven years. I also served four years in the Marine Corps and four years in the Army Reserves. I have Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and Economics from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.
Candidate for Full 4 Year term
Biography
My name is Richard Stader-Shaw and I am a two half year resident of Gurnee. I currently have two children (nine and seven years) that attend the District 50 school system. I’m a full-time soldier in the Illinois Army National Guard and my current position is Battalion Retention Manager. Previously I was a Recruiter in the Illinois Army National Guard for seven years. I also served four years in the Marine Corps and four years in the Army Reserves. I have Bachelor’s Degrees in Political Science and Economics from Northeastern Illinois University in Chicago.
For information about Woodland's Board of Education, please visit the District's webpage at Board of Education / Board Members (dist50.net).
Election Day is Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The polls are open from 6:00 am to 7:00 pm. For more information, please contact Lake County Voter Services at Voter Services | Lake County, IL or call 847-377-VOTE (8683).
