District 233 candidate Aredell “AJ” Roundtree is surrounded by family and friends who are teachers.
“Five of my best friends are teachers, and I somehow missed the bus,” he jokes, although he has an endorsement as a chief school business official.
Roundtree’s career is in marketing. He is running on a slogan “Equity, Excellence and Empowerment.” It covers a slew of special topics he says he’ll emphasize if elected to the Homewood-Flossmoor High School school board, such as fiscal responsibility, mental health and wellness, college and career readiness, safety and security.
It distresses the H-F alumnus that outside forces don’t give H-F high marks.
“That just doesn’t sit right because I know H-F is a great school, and I know that achievement is a top priority, and it sets high standards. It bothers me because I know what a great community Homewood-Flossmoor is and what a great school H-F is,” Roundtree said.
He pledges that “every student has equal access to the resources needed to get them ready for the next step in their life. Whether college, career or trades.” He wants to empower teachers and offer additional professional development opportunities. He pledges to keep salaries competitive so H-F “can retain quality educators and staff and attract quality educators and staff” and let them know they are valued and supported.
When thinking about students’ social-emotional wellness, Roundtree will advocate for additional psychologists and counselors, early intervention programs and implementing regular mental health check-ins with opportunities to access support.
Roundtree also pledges to empower the community “that they feel they have a voice. That they can communicate and feel their concerns will be heard. Community engagement allows for different perspectives.” Roundtree gave of his time as a community member when District 153 was in a principal’s search, and he gave input when H-F was searching for its next superintendent.