John Martin is running for the Evanston Township High School District 202 school board. 

A senior manager at a tax software company, Martin unsuccessfully sought a seat on the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 school board in 2023.

This year, however, with four candidates and four seats up for grabs, Martin is practically guaranteed to win. He said he hopes to shape the district’s future by focusing on academic preparedness and financial stability. 

Martin spoke with The Daily about his views on equity, the district’s financial future and the experiences that will inform his work.

This interview has been lightly edited and condensed for clarity.

The Daily: What inspired you to run for the school board?

Martin: I find tremendous value in community involvement. Almost selfishly, I think public service is good for the soul — it’s gratifying to be part of something larger than yourself. 

The Daily: As you look ahead to your term, what are your top priorities for the school board?

Martin: There are two main priorities I’m focused on. The biggest one is addressing the gap in preparedness for incoming freshmen. There are a significant number of students entering high school unprepared, and I want to work with District 65 to identify why this is happening and find ways to better prepare these students. 

The second priority is the potential loss of federal funding. Although we’re not going to accept (President Donald Trump’s recent executive order banning federal funds from sponsoring diversity, equity and inclusion programs), we have to prepare for the financial impact. That $4.5 million out of our $118 million budget isn’t insubstantial. We need to figure out how to manage this loss and ensure we stay financially stable.

The Daily: Recently, racial equity — whether in academics, attendance or discipline — has been a major point of contention for the district. How would you approach this issue?

Martin: This is a tremendously important issue, and I think the board should continue focusing on the best approach to reduce racial disparities. We’re seeing strong academic performance across all racial groups, but the achievement gap isn’t shrinking.

As a white man, I don’t think I should be leading the district’s anti-racism efforts, but I also don’t think everything is so binary. 

The “with us or against us” approach has caused harm, not just in our community but across the country. The Republicans’ sweeping victories in last November’s election weren’t what many in this community hoped for, but now we have to deal with the results. Instead of shouting at people to “get with the program,” we need to create a program people actually want to get with.

The Daily: Nationwide, school boards are increasingly politicized and drawn into “culture wars.” How should District 202 manage this challenge?

Martin: The way I see it, the school board’s focus should be entirely on the students — providing them with the best education we can, holding them to high standards and maintaining rigorous academic expectations.

The way politics has seeped into some school boards is detrimental to the students. It shifts the focus away from what really matters. I believe political discussions should take place at city hall, not in school board meetings.

I’ve watched some boards, including District 65’s, rapidly expand their role (in political discussions), and that’s caused significant damage. However, what’s encouraging about District 202 is that they haven’t fallen into those same traps.

The Daily: How would your professional background, personal experiences and identity — especially as the only man on the board — shape your relationships with fellow members and your contribution to the board’s work?

Martin: From a professional standpoint, I work in accounting and finance, so I think my experience will be valuable, particularly in ensuring the board’s financial stability. Right now, the district is doing well, so it’s about offering a fresh perspective and hopefully providing some helpful insights.

As for my personal identity, I work with more women than men in my day job, so that’s something I’m very comfortable with. I think being the only man on the school board will be exciting. 

Email: jackbaker2028@u.northwestern.edu 

X: @jdowb2005

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