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Christian Sorensen's avatar

I agree with that, I just will draw a big bright line on getting close to "we elected 7 people to do a job, they didn't do that job well, let's be frustrated that this other person in a different elected job didn't do it for them"

You are certainly not the first person to get close to that line, this isn't my first time through this counterargument. Part of the motivation for running - I know how much all of those name brand politicians care, I know what it looks like when local school board members build the relationships that lead to success, I can do this for my kids and the district I grew up in. And boy do we effing need it.

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Tom Hayden's avatar

Agree but like, the Evanston/Skokie Mayors sending an email to D65 over the Bessie Rhodes 7th and 8th grade thing moved the needle. I have no idea why - they have no statutory authority - but it worked. Probably because it embarrassed them.

I don't think they need to step into every issue, but if parents are protesting and having multiple marches - it might worth taking a look at and levering their power, even if it's just a tersely worded letter of concern.

As you know, power is a weird thing and hard to write about. I have power via this blog so I definitely get a sense of the caution you have to use when wielding it. Hard to write about.

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Christian Sorensen's avatar

I agree and have a track record of bringing these community issues to the electeds I work for, because that's part. I can say that Rep. Gabel cares a ton and is waiting for someone on that board to do their part, but also looking for opportunities to help. I just don't think it is realistic to think the other electeds can, could, or should solve what is inherently the school board's primary function: strategic vision and oversight of execution of that vision.

The board we elected didn't do their jobs, doesn't matter the reasons. The board has power. The board members haven't used it, even if you want to give them the best of intentions. Outside electeds can do pressure, sure, but let's not get into Harley Clarke, the branch libraries, or any other crisis we have gotten into. The Mayor letter worked here, but it doesn't always.

And all of that is to still say I do not have the experience where Tuesday plays into this either for or against. Our current D65 is post Blago or post Rauner, much better analogies for your future podcast.

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Noa's avatar

Do you think NU would help dig the district out? If there was a responsible board plan for it? I read years ago that Yale and Princeton contribute quite a bit to their local school districts. I don’t know much about this stuff works.

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