School Board Candidates Forum 4/2/09

[C.O.S.L.A.]

C.O.S.L.A. (Community Organizing for School Leadership Accountability) held its second public Waukegan Board of Education Candidates' Forum on April 2, 2009. After consideration of the answers given by the six candidates who are running for the 4 open seats, members of the C.O.S.L.A steering committee who were present have decided to endorse the slate of Mike Rodriguez, Steven Orusa and Tony Elam. A consensus could not be reached on which of the three long-time incumbents, namely June Maguire, Anita Hanna and Bill Anderson should be endorsed for the fourth open seat.

The steering committee encourages all Waukegan voters to educate themselves about the positions of each of the candidates; those who wish to view the video recording of the forum may do so by visiting the youtube links posted above.

The issues facing our school district and our community are as important as ever - and the voting booth is where accountability happens. Exercise your right and let your voice be heard by voting on April 7, 2009.

[NorthsideKaren]

I am so disappointed in the school board election! Not to mention the low voter turnout. Guess most of Waukegan is happy with the schools? hock:

[Penguin40]

NorthsideKaren Wrote:Guess most of Waukegan is happy with the schools? hock:

Or moving out and the schools don't mean anything to them anymore.

[kellyann1293]

Penguin40 Wrote:

NorthsideKaren Wrote:Guess most of Waukegan is happy with the schools? hock:

Or moving out and the schools don't mean anything to them anymore.

Even if someone plans on moving out of the district, the schools here should still matter. There are over 16,000 students in our district. We can educate them now, and give them the best possible chance at a prosperous future, or we can doom them to a life of subsistence wages and missed opportunities. In addition, since ours is an economically disadvantaged district, most of the revenue comes from state and federal tax dollars. Unless you leave the country, you'll be paying for these schools.

[peregrin]

There seemed to be a shocking lack of interest in the school board elections this year. When the students in our schools don't have text books the voters should be enraged. Instead it seems the status quo is just fine.

[kellyann1293]

Perhaps people were just burned out on elections and political campaigns after the heated presidential race. Not an excuse, certainly - but lots of folks feel like it doesn't matter who is in office, nothing's going to change. And until more people get involved, they're probably right.

[peregrin]

kellyann1293 Wrote:Perhaps people were just burned out on elections and political campaigns after the heated presidential race. Not an excuse, certainly - but lots of folks feel like it doesn't matter who is in office, nothing's going to change. And until more people get involved, they're probably right.

You make a good point. I guess I could agree if we hadn't just unseated an incumbent mayor.

[kellyann1293]

Yea, but it was a pathetically low turnout. I know several people who cast a vote in the mayoral race but couldn't care less about the school board race. :cry:

[Blackdiamond]

I don't have any grandchildren in School, but I voted the way the majority wanted it to go.

[peregrin]

Blackdiamond Wrote:I don't have any grandchildren in School, but I voted the way the majority wanted it to go.

The majority? You mean you voted for the incumbents?

May I ask why?