Woodland PTA District 50
School Board Candidate Forum 2025
thank you to the woodland district 50 school board candidates that came out on monday march 10th to our virtual candidate forum held via zoom. you may view the recording in the youtube link below. this video has not been edited in any way. thank you also to our neutral moderator, pat arnold, from another district. he asked the candidates six predetermined QUESTIONS, generated based on responses from the online submissions from the woodland community.
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.
| pta_candidate_forum_2025_-_ground_rules_and_guidelines.pdf |
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 26 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 as a den leader and committee chair, the McHenry Baseball Association as a coach and the Director of Fundraising and Sponsorships and has served on the Economic Development Commission for the City of McHenry. Presently, Pat is a member of the Board of Education for the McHenry Community High School District 156 where he serves as the board's Vice President.
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 26 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 as a den leader and committee chair, the McHenry Baseball Association as a coach and the Director of Fundraising and Sponsorships and has served on the Economic Development Commission for the City of McHenry. Presently, Pat is a member of the Board of Education for the McHenry Community High School District 156 where he serves as the board's Vice President.
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.
Julia Plescia
Biography
I offer a unique perspective for the board. As a parent, I have a
daughter in 7th grade, and six adult children all graduates of
Woodland. Two of my children now have their kids at Woodland. I
worked 25 years as a Certified School Nurse with a Professional
Educator License at Woodland schools. In retirement, I continue to
work with children in Lake County. Additionally, we live in district as
tax payers since 1990. I am committed to children and health through
education.
Biography
I offer a unique perspective for the board. As a parent, I have a
daughter in 7th grade, and six adult children all graduates of
Woodland. Two of my children now have their kids at Woodland. I
worked 25 years as a Certified School Nurse with a Professional
Educator License at Woodland schools. In retirement, I continue to
work with children in Lake County. Additionally, we live in district as
tax payers since 1990. I am committed to children and health through
education.
Eric Daudelin
Biography
My name is Eric Daudelin. I have had 3 kids in the district over the last 9 years. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and I have been Superintendent of a local water treatment facility for the last 10+ years. Previously I was president of an area Jaycees chapter (a civic organization focused on business and community leadership). I also served on the most recent Strategic Planning Committee for Woodland. I am running to be on the Woodland Board of Education because our community deserves a fair, trustworthy board who will focus on conducting business efficiently with dignity and respect.
Biography
My name is Eric Daudelin. I have had 3 kids in the district over the last 9 years. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education and I have been Superintendent of a local water treatment facility for the last 10+ years. Previously I was president of an area Jaycees chapter (a civic organization focused on business and community leadership). I also served on the most recent Strategic Planning Committee for Woodland. I am running to be on the Woodland Board of Education because our community deserves a fair, trustworthy board who will focus on conducting business efficiently with dignity and respect.
Keri Rasmussen
Biography
Keri Rasmussen is a committed mother of two Woodland dual language students. She holds a BS in Microbiology and a MS in Management with a concentration in Change Leadership. She is an experienced corporate leader that has established herself as an effective leader who can collaborate with diverse teams to drive organizational success. Keri has established herself as a dedicated member of our community since relocating to Gurnee, exemplified through her volunteer work within the Woodland buildings and other community groups. Her priorities for the board are to support student-centered, data-driven decisions, retain and respect staff expertise, encourage parent and community engagement, and promote school safety and positive learning environments.
Biography
Keri Rasmussen is a committed mother of two Woodland dual language students. She holds a BS in Microbiology and a MS in Management with a concentration in Change Leadership. She is an experienced corporate leader that has established herself as an effective leader who can collaborate with diverse teams to drive organizational success. Keri has established herself as a dedicated member of our community since relocating to Gurnee, exemplified through her volunteer work within the Woodland buildings and other community groups. Her priorities for the board are to support student-centered, data-driven decisions, retain and respect staff expertise, encourage parent and community engagement, and promote school safety and positive learning environments.
Joel Zwiefelhofer
Biography
I am running for the Woodland Board of Education to help make Woodland Schools better. I have always tried to give back to the community and currently serve on the WTHS Foundation. I see an opportunity to improve Math and ELA proficiencies and address chronic absenteeism at Woodland - all of which are behind pre-pandemic levels. We need to work collaboratively with parents, teachers, staff and administrators to reverse these trends. I believe we need more resources for classroom instruction and student support services. Since additional funding is unlikely, the district needs to reduce other expenses in order to reallocate funds.
Biography
I am running for the Woodland Board of Education to help make Woodland Schools better. I have always tried to give back to the community and currently serve on the WTHS Foundation. I see an opportunity to improve Math and ELA proficiencies and address chronic absenteeism at Woodland - all of which are behind pre-pandemic levels. We need to work collaboratively with parents, teachers, staff and administrators to reverse these trends. I believe we need more resources for classroom instruction and student support services. Since additional funding is unlikely, the district needs to reduce other expenses in order to reallocate funds.
Carla N. Little
Biography
Dr. Little has served Woodland CCSD #50 for over two decades, championing fiscal responsibility, curriculum improvements, dual-language programs, full-day kindergarten, and school infrastructure upgrades. Dr. Little is committed to student achievement, teacher development, transparency, and financial accountability. A proud member of the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also leads youth-focused initiatives through the Chocolate Chips Association, a STEAM Program for girls, grades 2nd – 8th. With a doctorate in Molecular Biology, she brings expertise, integrity, and vision to education. Vote Dr. Carla Little – because our students deserve the best!
Biography
Dr. Little has served Woodland CCSD #50 for over two decades, championing fiscal responsibility, curriculum improvements, dual-language programs, full-day kindergarten, and school infrastructure upgrades. Dr. Little is committed to student achievement, teacher development, transparency, and financial accountability. A proud member of the Waukegan Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She also leads youth-focused initiatives through the Chocolate Chips Association, a STEAM Program for girls, grades 2nd – 8th. With a doctorate in Molecular Biology, she brings expertise, integrity, and vision to education. Vote Dr. Carla Little – because our students deserve the best!
Nelson Tate
Biography
Nelson Tate is a “lifelong” resident of Lake Co. IL. Educated in the Waukegan
School System (K – 12), BA – Southern IL. Uni., Carbondale, IL., MA –
Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA., Master of Divinity studies at Trinity
International University and Indiana Wesleyan Evangelical Christian University.
Mr. Tate has been a substitute (Guest) teacher in the Waukegan, Viking and Woodland School Districts for many yrs. He does not have children by natural birth but he considers all the students he has taught as “his kids” … As a Woodland School Board member, Mr. Tate will be an advocate for both students and teachers. He will ensure that students' needs are met and that teachers have the resources and support they need to be effective in the classroom. Mr. Tate believes that serving on the school board will allow for opportunities to be directly involved in the district’s future development and a chance to establish relationships with families and local leaders to improve the educational environment.
Biography
Nelson Tate is a “lifelong” resident of Lake Co. IL. Educated in the Waukegan
School System (K – 12), BA – Southern IL. Uni., Carbondale, IL., MA –
Pepperdine University, Los Angeles, CA., Master of Divinity studies at Trinity
International University and Indiana Wesleyan Evangelical Christian University.
Mr. Tate has been a substitute (Guest) teacher in the Waukegan, Viking and Woodland School Districts for many yrs. He does not have children by natural birth but he considers all the students he has taught as “his kids” … As a Woodland School Board member, Mr. Tate will be an advocate for both students and teachers. He will ensure that students' needs are met and that teachers have the resources and support they need to be effective in the classroom. Mr. Tate believes that serving on the school board will allow for opportunities to be directly involved in the district’s future development and a chance to establish relationships with families and local leaders to improve the educational environment.
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 1, 2025. 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 847-377-2410.
