Gema M. Mariscal: 2025 candidate for Round Lake Unit District 116 board

Bio

Office sought: Round Lake Unit District 116 board (Vote for 3)

City: Round Lake

Age: 40

Occupation: College professor and business consultant

Previous offices held: None

Why are you running for this office? Is there a particular issue that motivates you?

I have lived in the Round Lake area since I was 4 years old. I went through the Round Lake Area school system from K-12. I love my community, and I want to give back. One of my biggest passions is education.

Throughout the years, I have worked alongside different schools, faculty, staff, and students within the district in various ways. I have seen some of the needs in all of these areas.

Also, I want to be a voice for the Latino student population in the district with initiatives that will be equitable for them and the student body.

What is the role of the school board in setting and monitoring the curriculum?

The school board’s role is to provide strategic oversight, ensure accountability, and foster a collaborative and equitable environment where the curriculum is continually reviewed and refined to meet the evolving needs of students and the community.

Are there curriculum issues within the district that you feel need particular attention from the board?

There are several curriculum issues I would like to pay attention in particular. I would like to look into the e-learning days and review the process to make sure the current format are equitable for students, teachers, and parents/families.

Also I would like to look into the curriculum and resources that are provided to English as a New Language students. Another issue I would like to look into would be to review college preparation programs available to students perhaps starting from middle school ages.

How do you view your role in confronting policy or curriculum controversies: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents — even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state authorities?

I see my role as a balance between decisive leadership and inclusive dialogue. On one hand, I believe it’s important to provide clear, sometimes even unpopular, guidance when the evidence and long-term interests of our community demand it. On the other, I’m committed to listening to all voices — even those I disagree with — to ensure that policies and curriculum changes reflect the diverse needs and perspectives of our constituents.

While state authorities offer essential guidelines, I view my local leadership role as one that interprets and implements those guidelines in ways that best serve our community. This means navigating controversies with transparency, compassion, and a focus on educational excellence.

Describe your experience working in a group setting to determine policy. What is your style in such a setting to reach an agreement and manage school district policy? Explain how you think that will be effective in producing effective actions and decisions for your school board.

Even though I do not have experience in working within K-12 district policy, I do have experience in working in educational environments such as higher education. I have been part of many committees and task forces that have developed policies within organizations.

I do not have any issues collaborating or working in a group setting. As long as the group is committed to make decisions that will be for the better of all students and the district there should be no issues.

What is your assessment of the school district's diversity and equity efforts? Do you support the continuation or enhancement of such programs, or would you rather see them diminished. Please explain your reasoning.

I believe that there is always room for improvement in all areas. I believe that the diversity and equity efforts and programs should continue to be enhanced. I truly believe that all work that is done should be equitable for all students. We have a community of faculty and staff that will only benefit from this work to better serve the student body and parents/families.

What makes you the best candidate for the job?

Being part of the Round Lake community for most my life I do see the needs of the community. I want to be a voice that represents the student body as a whole on the board of education that is leading the educational efforts for them. The Round Lake community is dear to my heart and I want to be able to give back to a community that has given me and my family so much.

What’s one good idea you have to better your district that no one is talking about yet?

Promote the recruiting of a large pool of highly qualified staff and teachers that meet students needs and care for the success of the student body.