The Homewood District 153 school board recognized outgoing board member Steve Anderson for his insights, financial finesse and 10 years of commitment to the children of the district.
proudly wears the Cubs jacket he got as a parting gift
from his fellow school board members. Anderson is
thanked for his 10 years of service by Shelly Marks,
board president, and Superintendent Dale Mitchell.
Anderson resigned to take a seat on the District
233 school board. (Photo by Marilyn Thomas/
H-F Chronicle)
The Homewood District 153 school board recognized outgoing board member Steve Anderson for his insights, financial finesse and 10 years of commitment to the children of the district.
Anderson will resign from the board and be sworn in May 1 as a new member of Homewood-Flossmoor High School District 233. He was the highest vote getter in the April 4 seven-person race for District 233.
“I’m so glad to have served,” he said. Outside of his family, “there’s nothing I’m more proud of and get more from than serving here,” he told his fellow board members at his last District 153 meeting on April 17.
“I’m so thankful to the many (board members) who came before me and paved the way,” he said. “I’m thankful we accomplished so much with so little,” as the school board tried to keep the district from a heavy debt as state funding was reduced.
Over his 10 years, Anderson became the go-to board member on school finance. He learned as much as he could, and then took an urgent request for help to taxpayers not once but twice, said Superintendent Dale Mitchell. He credited Anderson with having the courage to stand up and tell residents they needed to pass a school referendum in 2011 and again in 2016.
Anderson’s fellow board members thanked him for listening, for his willingness to share what he’d learned and for bringing new ideas to the table, include STEM programs in science, technology, engineering and math, and a push to start of sports teams for Hart School.
Board member Jim Schmidt, who works full time as the director of the Guidance Department at H-F High, said the loss to the District 153 board will be a gain for District 233. He knows Anderson will continue as “an independent person who doesn’t react emotionally. His decisions are always factually based.”
Anderson said he is ready for the challenges he is likely to face on a high school board. He knows the district has more money available for programs and services than District 153.
The one regret over his 10 years of service is “that we couldn’t do better by our teachers” who are very dedicated but don’t get paid the true monetary value of their work and worth, he said.
Anderson will resign as a District 153 board member just before May 1. The board will then officially announce the vacancy and begin accepting letters of interest and résumés from residents. The board will select a new member within 45 days of the resignation, said Shelly Marks, board president.
