Actions Speak Louder Than Words

Several months have passed since the resolution of the Deerfield Public Schools District 109 teachers’ contract in April. In part, the divisive negotiation process seems very far in the past, yet with teachers in Chicago and Lake Forest striking, what occurred this past year in Deerfield comes flooding back into the forefront of my mind.

It reawakens all those feelings of frustration, anger and defensiveness that were in clear view throughout the process through the past fall and winter in Deerfield.

Earlier: 109 Board Nominating Petitions Available Wednesday

As the time has come to begin the process of electing four District 109 Board of Education positions, I believe it is time for each and every one of us to take an active and educated role in the process.

The first opportunity to take action is to actually become a District 109 School Board candidate. There are signatures to receive, a caucus to participate in, and many, many other opportunities to speak to residents, advertise and outline why you would be an excellent candidate for our School Board.

A second active way to become involved is to participate as a member of the District 109 caucus. The District 109 Caucus is a 24-member group that reviews written applications, conducts multiple interviews with candidates and then endorses those candidates the group feels would best represent Deerfield on our District 109 School Board. 

For the rest of us who cannot or do not want to become a candidate or a caucus member, we have an even greater obligation—to educate ourselves on the candidates.

Find out what candidates’ beliefs are regarding the hiring of a new Superintendent, their ideas regarding air conditioning our schools, views on special needs, facilities management, fiscal responsibility, among the many other responsibilities are District 109 School Board is accountable for. 

Finally, after we have all become educated, actively taking the steps to vote for your chosen candidates in April will be the final, critical piece to the puzzle. While the November election affects our country profoundly, the April election Deerfield in a pivotal way—which direction is our District heading and how are we going to get there?

We all have to take an active role in the future of our District. There is no room for ignorance or passiveness in our actions. It is time for us all to become active participants in our community, our District and our schools.  

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