The Flossmoor School District 161 Board of Education will remain the same except for one seat after the April 1 election.
Ashley Giddens received more votes than any other candidate and is the only new member elected to the board. She said her focus in the role will be on student improvement in math and reading scores, and increasing high school readiness.
“I am excited,” Giddens said as the results came in. “I’m looking forward to working with the superintendent and helping him build our district so it can be stronger.”
Carolyn Theard-Griggs retained her seat. She has been on the District 161 board since 2017 and is the current president.
“I’m super thrilled,” Theard-Griggs said on Tuesday night. “I am excited about continuing the good work we have started. We worked really hard to get SD 161 in a good place.”
Theard-Griggs complimented the teachers, administrators, students and their families for their contributions and expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve on the board for four more years.
Cameron Nelson is another incumbent who will keep his seat. He serves as the board vice president and is a finance committee member. He has been on the board since 2017.
“I think all the candidates were well qualified and would be great for District 161,” Nelson said. “I have a lot of optimism and confidence for the future of this school district. I think we’re in a good place.”
Theartris Childress III was appointed to fill a vacancy on the board in October of 2023. He kept his seat and was elected to serve his first full term on April 1. Childress has been very involved in setting goals and helping District 161 board members plan for the future as part of the learning and instruction committee.