Lori Lakota Resigns From School Board Amid Controversy

MINOOKA, IL - A controversial member of the Minooka High School District 111 Board has resigned amid allegations that she made racist comments earlier this year suggesting that she did not want her children taught by a minority teacher. Lori Alexa-Lakota posted a statement on her Facebook page on Tuesday blaming other people for her decision to quit and suggesting that the controversy is taking a toll on her health.

Last week at a school board meeting attended by hundreds of high school students, many people were angry about the recent departure of high school principal Ronald Kiesewetter. A number of people believe that he left partly because of remarks that Lakota has made.

A follow-up article in the Joliet Herald-News revealed that Lakota has in the past reached out to Fox News television personality Tucker Carlson on Twitter asking for his advice in selecting academic textbooks for Minooka School District 111, among other things.

"I have resigned my position as a member of the District 111 Board of Education," Lakota informed everyone on social media Tuesday afternoon. "The false accusations leveled against me have created a tenuous situation within the board in which the truth is censored to comply with laws that protect the guilty.

"Unfortunately, under the current situation of silence and censorship, my effectiveness as a voice for the community that elected me will be diminished," she stated. "Under the physical, mental and emotional strain of dealing with these false accusations for over a week, my health has deteriorated and my physician has strongly recommended that I remove myself from this situation ..."

The Minooka School District 111 also issued its own statement and school officials immediately took steps to part ways with Lakota. Her photo and her bio material have already been removed from the school board website.

"There have been rumors and allegations that board member Lori Lakota stated in a board meeting that she would not want her child to be taught by a black teacher," the District announced. "Those board members present at the meeting in question would like to reiterate that this statement was never made.

"Nevertheless, for reasons of her own, Mrs. Lakota has submitted her resignation to the board of education ... We wish Mrs. Lakota well in her future endeavors."
Now that Lakota has quit, the Minooka High School school board urged others in the district to consider applying for her seat. People interested should submit a letter of interest to the board secretary, Colleen Ward, by June 10. Her email is cward@mchs.net.