Kane County Reporter

Gabrielle Fender is running for a seat on the Batavia Unit District 101 school board.

“I am running for BPS101 school board because I believe we need to turn our focus toward achieving academic excellence, while responsibly spending the residents' hard-earned tax dollars,” Fender told the Kane County Reporter.

Fender is concerned over proficiency.

“According to the Illinois Report Card, we have been on a downward trend regarding academic proficiency over the past five years,' Fender said. "Our scores have decreased at a greater rate than our neighbors in the Tri-Cities. However, we spend approximately $900 more per student each year.”

Fender says students should reach their academic potential.

“The students in our district deserve the highest quality education to ensure their future success," she said. "If elected I hope to work with my fellow board members, parents, teachers, and administrators to ensure every student achieves their greatest academic potential."

Fender is running on her experience.

"I believe my background in education (I have worked as both a paraprofessional and a special education teacher), my 18 years of parenting, my love of children, and my firm belief that the school district's primary responsibility is to provide a high-quality education makes me qualified to be a member of the school board," Fender said. “I currently have three children in the district - a junior and a senior in the high school and a sixth grader at the junior high.”

Fender is one of seven candidates vying for three four-year terms on the board.

In a profile with the Daily Herald she noted the poor level of academic achievement statewide. “The data indicates six out of 10 children are left out when concerning academic achievement and less than half of our 11th-graders are not meeting the requirements of our state,” she said.

Batavia Unit District 101 is comprised of eight schools overseeing the education of 5,441 students. It employs 367 classroom teachers.