A League of Women Voters forum Saturday, March 1, gave voters in District 233 a chance to hear directly from candidates for the Homewood-Flossmoor High School school board.
Candidates Lenita Gipson, Ariana Leonard, Aredell “AJ” Roundtree and Camille O’Quin were on the dais to answer questions for 90 minutes. Candidate Tamekia Smith had a work obligation and could not attend. They covered topics that included censorship in curriculum and library materials, the effects from the COVID pandemic, H-F’s rankings and how to improve those, and how H-F should adjust to changes being called for by President Trump that would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
Each of the candidates talked about strengths of H-F and its importance to the community. They’ve heard from residents who point to all H-F provides for students, and the candidates believe that the current school board has done an excellent job managing its finances.
When asked about how H-F could work more closely with Homewood District 153 and Flossmoor District 161, each candidate called for greater engagement to make certain the curricula are aligned. O’Quin suggested H-F host an invite day for eighth graders “to open dialog to bridge that gap” before they are freshmen, and Roundtree thought a shadow day would give eighth graders a chance to experience a day in the life of a current H-F student.
Leonard said the long-term effects of the pandemic are still being felt, especially in social/emotional needs. At the same time, it showed how resilient students are as they adjusted to new methods of learning. That also shined a light on how teachers can make changes to classroom learning, she said.
In addressing the needs after COVID, Roundtree said he is “in full support of any sort of avenue that allows students to move forward,” and Gipson stressed that each student is unique and needs to be met “where they are and where they need additional resources to get back “to a level of learning” before the pandemic.
None of the candidates agreed with censoring materials at H-F.
Gipson said “We’re blessed to be living in Illinois” where open access to materials is the norm. Should questions arise, the administration should listen to concerns from families and learn “what the disconnect is.”
Leonard said, “I would really trust our professionals who are writing curriculum and working in the library and trust they can make decisions that are right for our kids. We need to trust the people that we have working in our schools.” Leonard added that staff, students and parents “will make the right decisions for themselves.”
The four candidates applauded H-F administration for its stand on DEI. Gipson said she would use the school’s “Profile of a Viking” that outlines measures to success as District 233’s North Star. Roundtree said he supports diversity in the faculty, noting “I think H-F is on the right path for that.”
Leonard said the board’s job is to “work with the superintendent” who will hire the right people. She believes we can learn from each other and different perspectives add to one’s understanding. O’Quin said H-F’s strength has been its diversity that allows everyone in the room to have a voice.
A question on the biggest challenges H-F faces in the future drew varied responses.
O’Quin said she’s concerned about the impact of federal changes will have on funding and programming. She would reach out to the community for “open dialog and conversation and communication.”
Gipson said she’d like to see H-F’s ranking from the Illinois State Board of Education improved. Her emphasis will be on STEM (science, technology, engineering and math), and she believes the new science wing will improve learning.
Leonard, an H-F graduate, said H-F today has “so much technology, AI, social/emotional going on with these kids.” Those pose challenges both in and outside the classroom. She, too, is anxious about federal changes as they filter down to H-F. She also wants H-F’s faculty ranks to remain strong. It can be a challenge as fewer people choose teaching as a profession, she said.
Roundtree knows federal changes are coming, adding “getting ahead of it is going to be key.” H-F is reducing its reserves from 10 months to six months cash on hand. He wonders if it should boost the reserve fund to cover any reductions from the federal government.
