LOYAL. LOCAL. COMPLETE.
Publisher’s note: Answers to the following questionnaire were submitted by Paris-Union School District 95 Board of Education candidate Faith Milam and are largely unedited, outside of minor stylistic changes to ensure compliance with AP Style guidelines. Any views or opinions expressed in this piece do not reflect the opinions of The Prairie Press or its editorial team.
Briefly explain who you are and provide some background information on yourself (age, hometown, occupation, etc.).
My name is Faith Milam, I am 25 years old and I was raised right here in Paris, Ill. I currently reside with my husband, Kenny and our two young daughters. I received my bachelor’s degree in youth ministries and my master’s degree in pastoral counseling, both from Indiana Wesleyan University.
I am currently employed as a student caseworker at the Regional Office of Education #11 and as a part-time youth pastor at First Christian Church.
Briefly recap or describe your own education experience as a student (and as an educator if applicable).
I have a deep passion for education, with much of it credited to my upbringing in the District 95 school system. I was always an honor roll student through my time in high school and into college, taking my education seriously and being reminded of its value often. Some of my best mentors and role models growing up were my teachers. I always had a high regard for my education, as my mom was a teacher and a principal during my childhood. In addition, I have three years of experience working in the educational field.
I previously worked for District 95 as a district prevention counselor, but left the district in the spring of 2024. By the time our kids have graduated high school, they’ve spent around 20,000 hours at school. I believe it is important to do all we can to ensure those hours are in a district that is well-supported. I am proud to be a part of that in my profession and I am excited for the possibility of being a part of that if I am elected to the school board.
In your opinion, what is the most pressing issue (or issues) facing your school district? Please limit your answer to three issues/topics at most.
I believe the most pressing issues that our school district is currently facing is financial distress and a lack of transparency and accountability. However, I think there are many other issues that our school district could improve upon as well, such as more and better support for our students, teachers and staff members.
If elected, what immediate action would you propose to address the issue(s) mentioned above? What long-term plans would you propose to address the issue(s)?
If I am elected to the school board, my immediate action plans would include improving the systems of communication to the people within and outside of the district in order to have a better sense of accountability and transparency to ensure district staff, community members and taxpayers know what is going on and feel that their voices are heard and listened to.
My long-term plans would include making changes to the systems in place to best serve the students of District 95.
It is clear that changes are desperately needed. I believe transparency, accountability and more and better support can only enhance the educational experience for students. At the end of the day, the financial distress that the district is currently in is to no fault of the students, and it is important to make sure they aren’t feeling any of the effects of the poor financial decisions that have been made.
I believe having a few new people who have fresh ideas and perspectives would highly benefit the school board in this effort.
What parts of your experience as a professional or volunteer do you believe would suit you well on the school board?
I believe I am well suited for the school board first and foremost because of my personal investment in the school district with having my two daughters being educated in District 95. That gives me a deeper level of care and concern than those without students in the district. My role as an educator gives me some unique insight and perspective to decisions that are made by the school board.
I am aware of the decisions that school boards are responsible for, and that is not something I will take lightly. I know what it’s like to be responsible for educating, caring for and empowering this generation of students, day in and day out. Because of my profession, I am skilled at listening to people, hearing their concerns, and knowing how to act on those concerns. I am also not afraid to admit when I don’t know something, to ask for help and to ask the hard questions that it seems aren’t being asked right now.
In your opinion, what is the value and/or importance of the public education system?
The value and importance of the public education system is priceless. If I didn’t believe in the public education system, I simply would not be running for this position.
I believe it is such an important and vital system that I would like to volunteer my time in order to make it the best place for our students to be. I am committed to making our public education system stronger because I believe strong schools equal strong communities.
So many communities rally around their schools, such as when a team wins a championship, having school spirit, and donating to the schools for their various needs. I want our community to be proud of the schools we have within our reach and be proud to support these systems of education, not ones they have negative feelings about.
If given the authority to do so, what would you change about the public education experience?
We aren’t different in our need to make changes to the public education experience. I am sure if you go around to any local school, staff, parents and students alike would name aspects of their experience they would like to change.
I think the changes that are important for us here in Paris right now are turning the ship around, if you will. Because of the financial distress and misuse of funds, there is a level of distrust and an overall negative view that I think many in our community possess right now. I think the school board needs to focus on fixing that. Parents entrust their children to the public education experience for often more hours a day than parents see their child awake. We need to make sure we aren’t losing sight of that heavy responsibility.
What are the strengths of the public education system?
There are many strengths to the District 95 public education system. Even still, I am proud to send my daughters to this school district, because of the level of care and concern they receive from their teachers and the quality of education I know the district is committed to upholding, even in times of distress. I would say another major strength is the number of people who care for this district. It is clear that many care for this district, that is seen in just the number of new candidates that are running for this position. That is an evident strength for the public education system as a whole.
What other information do you want readers of The Prairie Press and members of your community to know about you?
I care about the people who my children will recall for the rest of their lives who were responsible for educating them. I care about the level of support, compassion and resources that our students and district should receive. I care about the financial endeavors of the district and making sure it gets turned around in the right direction.
I care about ensuring accountability is a regular practice. I care about being a face that is seen within the district, not just a name that is known. I care about the voices of the people who entrust District 95 to give their child a quality education and I will strive to be the best representation possible.
For these reasons, I hope you’ll consider me for your vote. Strong schools equal strong communities. Have faith.
(The above surveys were provided to candidates running for school board election inside of Edgar County by request of the individual candidate. All candidates have the option and opportunity to submit their responses. The views expressed are solely that of the candidate. Candidates can inquire about surveys by contacting info@prairiepress.net)