Meet LTHS School Board Candidate Veronica Tylka-Shaw

LOCKPORT, IL — The upcoming election is less than two weeks away, and early voting has already started. In Lockport, one of the contested local races is the race for the District 205 Board of Education. There are three open positions on the Lockport Township High School board of education in the upcoming April 2 election. Veronica Tylka-Shaw is one of four candidates running for a position.

Tylka-Shaw lives in Lockport with her husband, Jason, and two children. She is a 23-year resident of Lockport and an LTHS graduate. She has a doctorate in education from the University of St. Francis and works as a Spanish teacher and Dean of Students.

"Knowing we wanted our children to have a wonderful educational experience, in particular our son with Down syndrome, we remained in the Lockport area due to the strengths of the high school and elementary districts," Tylka-Shaw said. "I am also an educator and Dean of students. These roles give me the practical experience and knowledge to work with a superintendent to create school policy and assist in making major decisions to better the learning environment for all students."

Tylka-Shaw, who currently serves on the school board, believes the most pressing issue facing the district is school safety.

"We live in a day in age where we need to prepare for everything and anything that could happen during the school day, as well as after-school at events. It is important for the Board of Education to take charge and create policy that will ensure safety and create an environment where students can learn," she said.

There are three open positions on the District 205 Board of Education in the April 2 election. The other candidates are incumbents Michael Lewandowski and Richard Ives, and newcomer Angela Adolf.

If you are a candidate in the upcoming April 2 election, you can email andrea.earnest@patch.com for a candidate questionnaire.