As North Chicago moves toward returning to an elected school board starting in April, after more than 14 years of governance by the Independent Authority appointed by the state, people seeking three available positions can soon circulate petitions.
State Rep. Rita Mayfield, D-Gurnee, has advice for those office seekers. Vice President of Waukegan Community Unit School District 60’s Board of Education before joining the state legislature in 2010, she said polite listening skills are imperative.In
“You must have thick skin,” Mayfield said. “People don’t always express themselves in a nice way. You have to remember they are thinking about their children and we’re making decisions about their children.”
Mayfield was among members of the Independent Authority and other community leaders gathered Wednesday at the Neal Math and Science Academy middle school in North Chicago to learn what is being done to prepare voters for the election.
While Independent Authority Chair Dora King is leading the effort to register voters and educate the community about what members of the board will do, potential candidates for office can begin circulating petitions next month to run in the April 1 election.
Lake County Clerk Anthony Vega said in a text Wednesday, candidates for office in the 2025 election can start gathering signatures on their petitions Aug. 20. They must submit them to his office between Nov. 12 and 18.
Governed by an appointed board since 2010 when the Illinois State Board of Education took control of District 187 because of its severe financial problems, King said three members will be elected on April 1.
Until April 2027, King said the Board will consist of three elected members and four appointed ones. Then, four additional people will be elected returning the district to control by a board chosen by the voters. She will not be running in either election.
“I’ve been doing this for 12 years,” King said. “It’s time for younger people to step into leadership roles. We have to be ready for it.”
Laura Martinez, a field representative for the Illinois Association of School Boards said at the meeting candidates must be 18, a United States citizen, a registered voter and a resident of the district for a year. A good board member needs much more.
Just as Mayfield said thick skin is necessary at times when working with families, Martinez said maintaining a respectful relationship with colleagues is vital for the people they are actually serving—the children.
“You must have conversations with the public and other board members in a dignified way,” Martinez said. “You have to be a good listener. Keep an open mind and pay attention to what your fellow members are saying.”
Along with being the superintendent’s boss, Martinez said board members “set the tone for the district.” Decisions should reflect the values of the community and be well-reasoned.
“Your decisions impact the students, the community and the future of the community,” Martinez said. “Put your own interests aside and look at what is best for the community.”
Both Mayfield and Regional Superintendent of Schools Michael Karner said the job of a school board member is putting the students foremost in their minds. Doing so leads to good decisions.
“Be a good steward of the public’s money but always keep students first,” Karner said “That is the first priority of being a good school board member.”
“You have to have a passion for providing the best education for our children,” Mayfield added. “You must be willing to listen.”
King and her colleagues on the Independent Authority plan to hold a variety of meetings with potential candidates and community members starting in September and culminating March 18 with a League Of Women Voters candidate forum.
A briefing on rules and perspectives of school board candidacy and membership takes place Sept. 11 followed by current elected school board members offering their perspectives on the job Oct. 2. A basic school board course takes place Dec. 3.
Since the state took control of the district in 2010, Hornsby Kneeland, the chair of the District 187 Financial Oversight Panel, said the district has returned to financial stability. Superintendent John Price said there has been strong academic progress as well.
