Campaign battle lines being drawn in Proviso School District 209
The 2008 elections are still fresh in our minds, and some may already be planning for 2010 - but we must remember that the 2009 municipal elections are close at hand.
In Cook County, the most exciting elections may take place in … Proviso School District 209.
The past few years have seen nothing short of a soap opera in District 209. The Forest Park Review editorial board recently summed up their view of the school district with this hard-hitting editorial, lamenting the statistic that only “13 percent of students attending Proviso East high school have an “adequate understanding of math, science and reading.”
The failures in District 209 are many and longstanding. Too many parents aren’t paying enough attention. Students aren’t held accountable. Teachers don’t have the support they need, and money is routinely flushed down the toilet. There’s a revolving door leading to the superintendent’s office. And dozens of school employees are on the payroll because of patronage, nepotism and cronyism.
That is a back-breaking list. Yet, the root of these problems - the district’s most desperate circumstance - has little to do with education and everything to do with politics. School board members selfishly serve their own interests in the hopes of winning favor with township heavyweights. Connected vendors line their pockets with cash and board members are added to payrolls and clout lists.
But wait - there’s more…here are some additional highlights from District 209:
- The law firm of Odelson & Sterk (yes, the same Burt Oldelson who serves as Todd Stroger’s parlamentarian) names Proviso School Board President Chris Welch in a lawsuit alleging defamation from a local blog, the Proviso Insider.
- The school board catches heat for approving school board funds to help pay for Welch’s legal bills in this lawsuit - according to this story, the price tag is more than $57,000.
- The school board has also taken flak for hiring a high-priced lobbyist and a politically-connected public relations firm, which is a campaign contributor to Welch’s campaign.
All of the above could lead to a contentious election in Proviso 209 this spring.
As the Forest Park Review writes in it’s “wish list” editorial last week:
Proviso Township District 209 will see four of its school board seats up for election in April, and given the list of incumbents facing re-election, this race is critical. The names of a few potential challengers are being bandied about as the filing deadline approaches, but who these candidates might be isn’t as important as their motivation for running. May District 209 students and taxpayers be blessed with a ballot full of sincere and honest individuals who will put education before all else.
Stay tuned … this is about to get interesting.
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One Comment on Campaign battle lines being drawn in Proviso School District 209
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West Suburban Political Player Charged with Tax Fraud : Reform Cook County on
Fri, 9th Jan 2009 3:09 pm
[...] is the political party of current Proviso School District 209 Board President Chris Welch. As we mentioned previously, the race for District 209 is going to be a hot one this spring. [...]
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