KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES Meet Marva Campbell-Pruitt

(This is the second in a series of profiles for candidates for School District 168.  All candidates were asked to submit their own profile and a photo.  Some did, some did not.  We will provide you a look at each candidate during this week.)

MARVA CAMPBELL-PRUITT
Candidate for:  2 Year Board Member

EDITOR'S NOTE:
Marva Campbell-Pruitt has been an active member of the community previously serving as chairman of the Sauk Village Human Relations Commission, Chairman of the Sauk Village Beautification Committee and Chairman of the Lincoln Highway Mural Project and other local projects.  Campbell-Pruitt ran in 2013 for Village Clerk.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE CANDIDATE'S PROFILE. (Note:  This information was provided by the candidate.  We do not endorse or necessarily agree with the views of the candidate which are their own):

 

Leadership, Not Politics!  I am honored to be a candidate to fill a two-year vacancy on the School Board for District 168, the elementary school district in Sauk Village, the Village in which I reside.  I have been approached to fill two vacancies in 2014.  The first was to have been an appointed position, and now this one, to actually run as a candidate to fill a two-year vacancy resulting from the untimely resignation of previous Board Member.

Most who know me, can attest that NO is not in my vocabulary when called upon to assist in any avenue where there is a need.  Fortunately, in this sphere, I have been called upon to utilize my expansive knowledge as a former educator; principal; Illinois State Board of Education approved facility/school superintendent and former Board Member for the Illinois Department of Corrections School Board.  By “Caring for the Community,” I am answering the call!

Marva Campbell-Pruitt has demonstrated leadership within the Village, as residents joined in creating a successful Community Garden program, and conducted weekly gardening sessions with a youth summer program.  She volunteered with Parks and Recreation activities where she dedicated herself to insuring that the 2013 Summer Work Program was a roaring success as she led a team of youth in cleanup activities throughout the Village.  She served on the Fire Departments Pancake Breakfast committee and cooked up delectable eggs, hosted the Village’s first and subsequent Movies in the Park activities.  Marva served as chairperson of the Illinois Lincoln Highway Mural Project that brought an historical landmark mural to the Village that was later used for the 2012-2013 vehicle stickers ( the mural is located on the side of Fairway Foods on Sauk Trail at Torrence.  Along with the Beautification Committee, under her leadership, the committee brought back the Hootsie Awards, hosted Annual Clean Green and Preen Weeks, and instituted Community Yard Sales.  The Human Relations Commission, under the leadership of one of the Commissioners, started a Youth Leadership Program for students, in partnership with the staff of Rickover Elementary School. 

Most recently, Marva serves on the School District’s Education Advisory Council and the Intergovernmental Committee.  She led her Sorority in its second year celebration of an International World Water Day at Our Daily Bread Food Pantry as we distributed 90 cases of water and information on water and energy conservation.  Her church, Grace United Church of Christ, orchestrated the original, “Sharing the Warmth” program whereby we adopted a classroom in each of the three schools in CCSD 168 to donate brand new coats.  One school asked that we provide uniforms as well.  We met that need.  Marva Campbell-Pruitt’s public service history is rich with professionalism, acts of volunteerism and proven community service.

With heartfelt dedication, Marva promises to utilize her educational expertise, previous experience as a school board member and involvement on the Illinois State Advisory Council to:

• Set the vision and goals of the school district;
• Adopt policies that provide the school district direction to establish priorities and meet its goals;
• Assure fiscal integrity;
• Encourage and increase the number of educational personnel who seek national teaching certification;
• Improve student achievement;
• Develop a definitive policy on anti-bullying by developing focused programs on character education;
• Collaborate with committees within the Sauk Village Board to increase student involvement in community events;
• Encourage student participation in varying educational and developmental programs (i.e. Junior Achievement, 4-H Clubs, ACTSO, Special Olympics, etc.); and
• Create pathways to increase the number of students with special needs who are currently placed out of district so that they will be served and taught in their home schools.

I truly believe that residents’ vote for me to the two-year seat will produce great dividends for the school district and set it upon a path of greater progress as I humbly believe that Our Children, Taxpayers and School Staff Deserves The Best!