Anjali Bharadwa

Dear CUSD200 School Board and Administrators,

Homecoming week is the most exciting week of school for high schoolers. Teenagers are genuinely excited to go to school. Everyone stays around this weekend for FNL, Homecoming, etc. In the future, could we plan our calendar so that we don't have a 4-day week during homecoming so we can also use the 3-day weekend?

-Mom of 2 at Wheaton Warrenville South

For the first days of school in our district:

- Parents had to rally at a school board to prevent convicted sexual predators from being allowed to teach in our schools and to take kids' claims seriously
- Parents are arguing about the new cell phone /backpack policy at WW South
- Buses didn't show up yesterday or 15 minutes late to pick up students for school
- A Kindergartener was put on the wrong bus home for her first day of school, let out of the bus and it drove away. (she is home and OK)

Come on District 200. Get it together.

Are you interested in helping District 200 advance some of our DEI initiatives? DEI200 is looking for help for our next school year. Let us know if you are interested by PMing me or emailing us at [email protected]. https://www.facebook.com/DEI200/

DEI 200 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council for CUSD 200 To advance District 200's commitment to equity and educational excellence.

MOVING FORWARD WITH DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION.

Good news - At the moment, it looks like only candidates who aren't against DEI or Culturally Relevant Teaching will be elected. It isn't technically over until April 14th but I am feeling pretty confident.

Bad news - All the candidates who were elected in were very much on the "continue" bandwagon so we shouldn't expect much new direction from the board. Equity and Inclusion will continue to be backburned initiatives. If we want things to change, parents need to get involved.

Great news - The silver lining of the election are the connections made with like-minded people and the awareness of DEI200. Many people are reaching out to me to work on these initiatives. Thank you and I will try to get back to all of you. If I miss your message, please feel free to email at [email protected] and feel free to try again. However, more importantly, I would like to connect you to communities as I am just one person and still just a parent so we will have to work together. Here are some options:

Identify as a Minority? I realized during this election there is no safe space for us to have a discussion so today I created one. Please join or forward to folks who identify as a minority. https://www.facebook.com/groups/192845900152772/

Ready to do the work? DEI 200 has our monthly status meeting at the Wheaton Public Library tomorrow at 7:30pm. Join us or email [email protected] to get on our mailing list. https://fb.me/e/2r4eyKggR

I hope one day Wheaton will embrace our diversity like our neighbors do! Happy Holi - Festival of Colors (beginning of Spring for Indians). Also, Happy Easter to those who celebrate.

If you’d like to be a part of making that happen, I’m still here and you can join us at DEI 200 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council for CUSD 200. PM me for details.

We are still waiting for those final results to figure out who the 4th slot goes to (Amy or Erik). There is a 3 vote difference at the moment but mail in ballots are still coming in. I really do think this is a lesson in EVERY VOTE COUNTS. I know there are a lot of people that don't head to the polls but you could really make a difference. We did have 20% voter turn out compared to the 16.57 of 2021 so well done!

Members of the YOUR Wheaton- Please see comments below.

It would have been my honor to serve on the Board of Education for District 200 but it was not meant to be.

To the 3172 (maybe a handful more) of people who voted for me without the support of any other candidate, I would like to thank you for still standing for what you believe in and I am sorry to have let you down. We knew this was a big mountain before we started climbing but we had to try anyways. I appreciate those of you checking in and sending me the words of encouragement. Your words mean more then you know.

To my family, I am sorry I put you through that twice and for not being present over the past few months. I appreciate all the forgiveness you have for me.

To my pseudo campaign manager. I know you feel this loss too. Thank you for helping me every step of the way, the countless hours, days, weeks you put into this election, and for being my sounding board. I could not have done this without you.

To the volunteers who campaigned for me, some even walking door to door knocking on houses. I am still in awe for you the amount of dedication you have put into the cause. It is not about me but the people of D200 that are not seen or heard. I applaud you for putting your words into actions.

To the few people who are upset that I ran, I ran because I tried to represent my community and the values I believe in including my passion for education. I ran, waiting for almost the last day to file my petition, because I did not see another candidate who represented our diverse community. I called out processes (not individuals) because they are not in the best interest of everyone in D200. I ran because I had every right to be there just as anyone else. Please ask yourself, if you are genuinely supporting our diversity or just people who say they support diversity? They are two very different things.

It is not easy to run in an election. Ask any of the candidates that put their heart into this campaign. It takes a sacrifice to your career and family, dedication to keep at it every day for months, and the strength to withstand the things being said about you. I commend all the candidates who ran a clean race, without name calling, character defamation, or running smear campaigns. Thank you for your willingness to serve and the time you have put into this district.

So happy to be surrounded by my people on election night. Regardless of what happens tonight, this group of women will continue to work towards progress in D200.

I have messaged so many people on Facebook today that my account is literally blocking me out! Please go VOTE!!!

“Education has always been the #1 priority for me and my family." - My opening statement at the League of Women Voters Forum.

It is not just a campaign phrase but a way of life. Education is at the root of my heritage, my culture, and my religion. Those values have been passed down to me by my paternal grandmother, Satyawati Gupta, who I called Dadima (Dad's mom). Dadima was a follower of Gandhi, seen here with her charkha or spinning wheel which is commonly associated as a symbol of freedom. She was a Sanskrit teacher, held a Ph.D., and often described as righteous as she refused to allow my grandfather (Pitaji) to take bribes as a government official in India. I am often told I am just like her. She raised her four children to value education above all else which resulted in my father immigrating to Chicago in 1969 to earn his Master's in Electrical Engineering. Her values have been passed down to me, and I have passed down those same values to my children. As a board member, I will always keep our children's education District 200's #1 priority.

Top 10 Reasons to vote for me, Anjali Bharadwa, for the Board of Education for CUSD 200!

👉Independent candidate, no group think for 7 member board
👉Mom of 3 kids = 25 combined years of exp. in D200, 13 to go
👉Passionate about education and academic excellence
👉Overdue minority representation
👉8 years of non-profit leadership experience in our community
👉Fiscally responsible Senior Director at Eng. Consulting Company
👉Dedication and perseverance to run for a second attempt
👉Honest and transparent, not afraid to speak up when needed
👉Engages with ALL community members without judgement
👉Endorsed by Daily Herald

I met Brian for the first time at a Meet and Greet I hosted just a few short months ago and he came prepared with questions. I had no idea on his political ideology. I was honest with my answers, earned his support, and he has been campaigning for me since. Thank you for helping me spread the word Brian.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY - As we wrap up this campaign, I want to touch on this important topic. Professionally, I am a Senior Director at a mid-size Engineering Consulting Company. That means that my day job includes planning, proposing, and reporting on budgets for client projects as well as the cost of our resources for my team. As a consultant, we have to be incredibly mindful and analyze our billable time and whether the effort we are putting forth is worth the budget that a client has to spend. Requirements versus nice to have is a very important distinction. These are skills I will utilize as a Board Member as well.

During the Daily Herald interview I mentioned that fundamentally I don't believe that better buildings equal better education with the basics of clean, climate controlled, and maintained met. I stand by that. That being said, there has to be a point where an investment in our buildings is necessary and that is where the district is planning to engage the community on the facilities projects at our middle schools.

A cursory review (just as a citizen today) of our proposed budget for this school year shows me in laymen's terms that we have $199,585,744 coming in, $190,726,209 going out. With the remaining $8,859,535, $7,200,000 is put aside for maintenance of buildings (the Sherman Durgis policy adopted a few years back). That means there is only $1.8 Million left this year, added to our remaining fund balance of last year we have $63,469,307.

This middle school projects prosed have been indicated to have a minimum cost of $40 Million with proposal of well above $100 Million. These are incredibly important decisions will require careful strategic planning that have the potential to impact every resident in District 200.

Not only am I passionate about education/academic excellence, minority representation, with a long history of community involvement, I also have the professional background required for the job at hand. I am the best candidate for the Board of Education and hope you will honor me with your vote.

There is a cost to standing up for what you believe in and calling out systems and processes that don’t work for our whole community.

Make it count. Vote for me, Anjali Bharadwa, lucky #7 by tomorrow for the Board of Education.

RESULTS ARE IN!!! Shoppers at Mariano’s are 2.5x more likely to stop and talk to you while you are campaigning then Jewel. ☺️

Thanks to all the folks who took the time to talk to me. I especially loved the ones who rolled down their windows to tell me they voted for me. 🗳️

Don’t forget to vote by Tuesday April 4th!!!

Spring Break is wrapping up and I hope you all had a chance to enjoy some time off. We took our family for a quick trip to Nevada and visited the Hoover Dam and Fire Canyon. There were educational opportunities around every turn.

At Fire Canyon we learned the history of how thousands of years ago it was covered with water and of the indigenous people who lived there.

Looking at the impressive engineering of the Hoover Dam bypass project, the first concrete-steel composite deck arch bridge built in the United States, I am reminded how important educating our kids today enable us to bring the advancements of tomorrow.

I am passionate and committed to providing all children with the best education District 200 can offer.

CONSOLIDATED ELECTIONS - Never heard of them before? No fear, neither had I until recently so I won't judge you. I still run into educated involved community members that have no idea what all the signs are about. The truth is only 16.57% of registered voters showed up to 2021 consolidated election yet as it turns out these are the elections that can most greatly impact your day to day life. I understand the feeling of not knowing enough to make decisions on candidates so also note that you don't have to vote for all races. If you truly don't know who to vote for and don't have time to look into it, you can leave that section blank and don't need to vote for as many candidates as there are spots but make sure not to vote for too many. Here is what is on the ballot so you can be prepared as you go and vote. If you have any questions, let me know, I am happy to help!

BOARD OF EDUCATION - The board sets goals and policies for the schools that your kids attend. They are in charge of the budget and the Super Intendent (Jeff Schuler). The Board makes decisions that can impact things both big and small like approving budgets for playgrounds, new buildings, and even the new math program your kid is working with. If there ever was a need to redistrict in D200, the Board is going to play a big role here.

The unexpired term is because of a Board Member moving away before their term was up which is why there is 1 spot for a 2 year term and there are three 4 year term spots open.

FOR MAYOR - (uncontested) - The mayor sets the city's priorities, crafts the city's budget and chooses who gets to run its parks, schools, trains and police. The mayor is the chief executive while the City Council is the legislative body

FOR COUNCILMAN AT LARGE - This is the City Council and a board of 7 members. Think of things you see happening in downtown Wheaton, how much you pay for your water bill, does your street have a sidewalk or bike path, etc.

FOR PARK COMMISSIONER (uncontested) - The Park District! What our parks and activities look like. There is also an unexpired term here.

FOR REGIONAL BOARD OF SCHOOL TRUSTEES -
The Regional Board of School Trustees is an elected board comprised of seven members. This elected board hears petitions for annexations, detachments and changes in school boundaries.

FOR COLLEGE TRUSTEE - similar to the K-12 public schools but for the College of DuPage.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT - Prior to starting DEI 200 - Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Council for CUSD 200, besides volunteering in the classroom within my work schedule and advocating for more inclusive curriculum at Madison, I started a local chapter of Kids for Peace whose mission is to build a worldwide community of kind, compassionate and empowered young people. Giving back to the community has always been a priority of mine and I was happy to volunteer countless hours to do so.

REFUGEES - We taught our young people about what it means to be a refugee. We connected with a group that was on the ground helping so Wheaton kids could get first hand accounts. We raised money and sent supplies like sleeping bags to help keep kids keep warm in Syria through Bride2Refugees.

PEACE PACKS - We created Peace Packs full of school supplies and age appropriate contents for children at Chikumboso Women and orphans in Zambia. (pictured below)

PEACE NOTES - We created notes of encouragement and passed them around Town Square in Wheaton to encourage kindness.

SCHOOL IN MEXICO - We fundraised through a Penny War at Edison Middle School to help fund building a school in Mexico. We taught Edison children during their Advisory period about the conditions in which the kids went to school to help them understand why they should want to help them.

KINDERGARETEN IN UGANDA - Using the Penny War model again we raised funds for a classroom who didn't have the supplies they needed to receive a proper education.

Although my focused then shifted to DEI200, I am proud to say that my kids carried on the lessons.

TUTORING IN CUSD200 - My Junior, Avani Bharadwa, has created an internal tutoring program for CUSD200 where she coordinates South Student from the Key Club to go to multiple elementary schools to help students that have fallen behind.

Please say hello to Rani’s Kids for Peace in Wheaton, Illinois, USA! These kind students put the Peace Pledge into action by respecting people in each and every land! They created 200 Peace Packs for new friends at the Chikumbuso Women and Orphans Project in Zambia. Additionally, they donated 11 sleeping bags to Bridge2Refugees to help refugees in harsh conditions stay warm at night. Thank you, Rani’s Kids for Peace, for uplifting our world through love and action!!

DIVERSITY- The 37% of black and brown people of this community need a spot at the table and deserve to be heard NOW and not just with lip service that District 200 supports our diverse community. It does not mean requiring people of color to be mentored or to show up with the personality that is acceptable to previous and current board members. We can not allow systems to be kept in place that have historically kept us out. We are far overdue for some representation on our board.

What does progress in Equity look like for D200? Our districts equity task force was dismantled in 2021. Originally under Dave Long and this year under Susan Booton and Rob Hanlon, the boards equity and proactive practices committee has not provided an update since April 2022, and has no additional meetings scheduled on the district website. Yet our achievement/opportunity gap remains at 40 to 26%, far worse then the state levels as seen in our report card.

I was a member of 4 Equity Task Forces between the library and our district. The district task force, with a few exceptions, did not include members of our community that we are trying to help. We spent a fair amount of time bringing members of the task force up to speed on what it means to be a minority. The goals of the equity plan and objectives of the task force were not seen through.

As a board member, I would like to bring diverse voices together to collect real community feedback. I would look for accountability from our district to make sure that we follow through on objectives like proactive practices that have been discussed but in the cases of racism that have been brought to the district that I’m aware of, not been used. I’d like to stop telling marginalized communities what they need and give them the opportunity to lead the way.

Being able to have pleasant conversations with both sides is an asset. We are still one community and they will still be your neighbors when the election is over. I have demonstrated all of the qualities needed to be a successful board member.

Let us not forget what the Board of Education is all about. As this election intensifies in our last few weeks, the goal of serving our children and our community for educational success must stay front of mind.

Source - Illinois Association of Schol Boards

SYMBOLISM in the CHICAGO TRIBUNE! I was not expecting to wake up to a half page picture in the tribune (cover story and cont on pg 17) of my blurred face but this is the importance of the School Board election in Wheaton. This picture is pretty symbolic of our race, candidates giving me the side eye while trying to ignore my candidacy at the same time.

The article did not endorse any candidates but talked about districts across the suburbs as Political Battlegrounds.

“School boards across the country, have drawn the ire and become the targets of conservatives and far right groups as they argue education has been overtaken by teachers unions and liberal agendas”

“As the lone candidate of color in the race, Anjali Bharadwa, whose parents emigrated from India said she’s been disturbed by attitudes among the conservative slate toward the districts, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, whether it’s dubious claims about critical race theory in the math curriculum or opposition toward implicit bias training for teachers. 

‘Those are the things that I am pushing back against,’ she said.”

My husband isn’t on social media and has been traveling most of this month so you don’t see me post about him much but I am so grateful for his support and for delivering my signs in the sun, rain, and snow today! Over 60 deliveries in 1 day!

He gets very particular about sign visibility so if you find too many in your yard please forgive my super supportive spouse.

YARD SIGNS ARE IN!!! 🎉. We will be delivering tomorrow. Please comment below or fill out the form on my website www.anjforeducation.com if you want one. Thank you to all of you who donated to make this happen.

Today Edison Middle School is reverting back to 2 cohorts and assigned seating for lunch on top of already assigned seats on the bus. Based on their COVID Dashboard during their first week they had 1 student test positive and 2 students quarantined. I am supportive of enhanced lunch measures but I am extremely disappointed in the approach that this school takes.

Middle school children are going through huge changes and relationships are extremely vital at this age. Edison Administrators know this as they even talked about it during the advisory portion of curriculum night as seen in the picture below. Yet at the same time, instead of finally allowing their students to sit with their friends at lunch and play with them at recess after labor day as promised, they have taken the exact opposite approach.

Not only is it taking a mental toll on our kids, frankly it is not smart. Friends get together indoors unmasked when not at school. By assigning seats we are doubling their exposure with people they would not be around infact eliminating any safety benefits and increasing their risks.

Instead a simple solution would be to ask the students to pick their seats, let them know they will be here for the next quarter for contract tracing purposes, then write them down. It isn't that hard, allows for students to have those important relationships, and keeps our children safer.

For me, I take this issue extremely personally. I am the parent of a shy minority 8th grade girl and went through many changes in the last year which leaves children feeling even more self-conscious than before. She ate lunch in silence and had no one to interact with at recess for the entire year based on splits and assignments. I watched my daughter's attitude about school change. When I reached out to the school about my concerns multiple times, they told me she would be fine without even speaking with her. I tried to find to solutions that they shut down or ignored my concern all the while claiming publicly they care about children's social and emotional well-being. Edison Administrators have taken an academically successful child and has made her hate school by depriving her of all her relationships when she is there. We need to do better for our children.

Welcome back to full time school to all the CUSD200 families and special welcome to all our new Kindergarteners starting today! I love seeing all the first day of school photos. This year I have 10th, 8th, and 2nd and can't believe how fast they have grown. How did your kids first day of school go?