The Riverside-Brookfield Landmark sent questionnaires to each person running for public office in 2023. The Landmark’s questions are in bold and the candidate’s responses are below.
Name: Marlowe Djuric Kachlic, PharmD, BCACP
Age: 43
Previous Political Experience: none
Previous/Current Community Involvement:
- 2020-2021 – District 96 Strategic Planning Committee (parent representative)
- 2021-current – District 96 Family and Community Partnership Committee
- 2022-current – Hollywood PTA – Corresponding Secretary
Occupation:
- Clinical Pharmacist/Clinical Assistant Professor
- Director of Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experiences
- Residency Program Director – UIC PGY1 Community-Based Pharmacy Residency Program
- University of Illinois at Chicago – College of Pharmacy
Education:
- BS Chemistry (minors: Biology, Spanish), Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN (1997-2001)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD), University of Illinois at Chicago – College of Pharmacy, Chicago, IL (2001-2005)
1. Why are you running for the District 96 school board?
I have lived in Brookfield since 2008 – my husband and I bought our house several years before starting our family, but we knew we wanted to live here because of the excellent schools. We now have 2 boys, both in school in District 96 and couldn’t be happier with the support, attention, and guidance we have received for their individual needs. It’s been wonderful to see their growth, and we know we are lucky with the teachers that have contributed to that. I feel that serving on the District 96 school board is a way to give back, and help ensure that the teachers and staff have all they need to that every student in the district can thrive.
2. What experience and perspectives would you bring to the position and how would they be valuable as an elected official?
I was fortunate to be asked to participate in the District 96 Strategic Planning Committee in 2020. Through that experience that I got an inside look at not only what people like me (parents in the district) wanted, but also how invested the teachers and staff are to the future of the district and their perspective on the needs of their students. Being involved in this planning of the direction district really helped me see what is important to leadership, teachers, and parents alike.
Following the strategic planning, I was asked to be a part of the Family and Community Partnerships Committee. Through this committee, I was able to help with this past Fall’s Satisfaction, Pride, Cultural Awareness, and Engagement Survey as well as delve into the results and plan for ways to improve engagement in the district.
3. What do you believe are some of the greatest challenges facing the District 96?
Right now, I know the district is working hard to increase engagement. The pandemic affected this, but now that the world has “opened up” more, the schools and PTAs are struggling to get more folks involved. Shifting to first ensure all students and all families feel included and part of the district will hopefully help with engagement down the road.
