Seven hopefuls are running for election to the Evanston/Skokie District 65 School Board, citing a need to fix the district’s finances.
The seven candidates are running for four open seats on the school board, including acting president Hecky Powell’s position. Board members for D65, which oversees Evanston’s elementary and middle schools, will be elected at large in the citywide April 5 election.
As of Tuesday afternoon, three people filed for board elections for District 202, which manages Evanston Township High School. The three candidates — Missy Fleming, Margaret Lurie and Martha Barns — could not be reached for comment.
D65 incumbent Mary Rita Luecke said she chose to run for re-election to the board so she could finish projects that will improve the district’s financial state. This would allow the board to focus on other issues, she said.
“We are currently developing an approach that will bring long-term financial stability to the district,” she said. “If that goes in place, we can turn energies into student achievement.”
Luecke, as well as current board members Bob Eder and Mary Erickson, will face competition from first-time candidates, who said a fresh look may fix monetary problems. Dick Peach, a board member for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce, said if elected, his 30 years in business would benefit the board.
“A business approach to this is far better at this point,” he said. “Let’s get things in line. That’s what any business would do.”
Candidate Sharon Sheehan said she would like increased communication with the community. By allowing more dialogue between the administration, the board and the community, officials can improve policies for the schools, she said.
“I would like there to be an honest dialogue about what the community values in education and how they want their schools to operate,” she said. “(We can) develop a vision out of that dialogue.”
Another challenger, Jill Willis-Brown, said that as a black woman, she can add diversity on the board.
“Many of my friends and colleagues thought it was time for another voice,” she said. “We need to have some fresh thoughts about things.”
Many candidates raised concerns about the achievement gap between white and minority students. Willis-Brown said this gap is one of the main issues that needs to be addressed.
Powell, who is not seeking re-election, said he wants to devote more time to his restaurant, Hecky’s Barbeque, 1902 Green Bay Road.
“People come in here all the time to discuss school board issues,” he said. “I don’t mind, but it takes a lot of time out of my day and my business. I’ve given the community enough over the past four years.”
Current board members Jonathan Baum, Julie Chernoff and Marianne Kountoures are still serving their terms on the board.
Incumbents Eder and Erickson and challenger Jerome Summers could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Reach Kate Ward at [email protected].
