HATE is a Dangerous Word: Let’s Focus on the Issues and New Leadership in District 15

There has been a great deal of interest in this year’s school board election in District 15, and with good reason. Parents are upset with the decisions that our school board has made, taxpayers are upset with the decisions that our school board has made; the entire community is upset with the decisions that our school board has made. Our community demonstrated their disappointment in our current school board, and highlighted the complete lack of engagement in regards to this serious question, by the overwhelming turnout and defeat of the board proposed $130 million building bond referendum this past November.

To make matters worse, the incumbents and their political supporters have perpetually used the word ‘HATE’ in their mailings, two mailings to be exact…. this is most certainly not a sign of solid leadership. HATE is a word that creates fear, and absolutely does not belong in a school board campaign.

All four of the Engage D15 candidates I am running with are community-involved parents and hardworking taxpayers of our school district, who want better than what we have received from our current school board ‘leadership’ - learn a little more about them below:

Did you know that a current school board candidate and member of the Engage D15 team was one of the leaders of the “Vote No” campaign that led to the defeat of last November’s referendum, proposed by our current school board members running for reelection? Her name is Barb Kain and she is determined to continue to represent the interests of our community by being an advocate for the entire community as a member of your incoming school board.

Did you know that a current school board candidate and member of the Engage D15 team was one of the leaders in ensuring that the community’s voice was heard when the issue of late start/early release was presented by current school board members? Her name is Lisa Szczupaj, and she represented our parents, children, and community members in arbitration with the school district to ensure our community had a voice. She is one of the main reasons we have early dismissal on Fridays as opposed to late start on Wednesdays, which would have disrupted schedules for our children and our working parents if not for her efforts on our behalf.

Did you know that a current school board candidate and member of the Engage D15 team ran for school board two years ago, and missed being elected by less than 100 votes? His name is Frank Annerino, and it was so important that he be a part of the solution to address the many issues in District 15, that he put his name in the mix again to ensure that our community and school district move forward in a positive way that respects all of our taxpayers.

Did you know that a current school board candidate and member of the Engage D15 team has made it his career to work in education to help students achieve success? His name is Anthony Wang, and he holds a Master’s in education, and will ensure that you and your neighbor’s tax dollars are used in the most effective way possible while continuing to help our students achieve great success in their education.

And myself, I am very involved in this community as a 22-year resident; I too have a strong goal to see us all finally represented on our school board. My vow is to be available, and in our community engaging with our parents and taxpayers, to understand their challenges and desires when it comes to the education provided for the District 15 community. I am acutely aware that the level of education we provide here has lasting impacts on each and every one of us.

Other important facts about the Engage D15 team to know as you head to the polls:

• We are comprised of community members and parents who all live in different areas of our school district, this is on purpose. One lives in the northeast (myself, Mike Smolka), one in the northwest portion (Frank Annerino), one is from north of downtown (Barb Kain), another from south of downtown (Lisa Szczupaj) and the last lives in Winston Park (Anthony Wang).
• We are made up of members from different political parties. Two of us identify as Republican (Frank Annerino and Anthony Wang), two as Democrat (Barb Kain and Lisa Szczupaj), and one as an Independent (myself, Mike Smolka). This makes the suggestion that we are backed by any political party-baseless and nonsensical. A lame attempt at polarizing voters – but we know our residents are smarter than this political game playing.
• We are all parents and homeowners, and therefore have an interest in ensuring that the children of our community get the best possible education, while also ensuring that our tax dollars are used in the most effective and prudent way possible.

While other candidates running have focused on rhetoric, and the word HATE in their communication materials, the Engage D15 has engaged with the community by hosting coffees, meet and greets, attending forums, hosting town halls, and making ourselves available-to ensure that the community has an opportunity to have a voice they currently do not have through the current school board - to discuss the issues that are important to them. The other candidates have been, unavailable.

When you head to the polls on Tuesday, remember that defeating the referendum in November was only one step, those behind it are attempting to stay on the board and based on their history, they are not interested in representing you, the good and hardworking taxpayers of our school district.

To ensure transparency in the decisions made by our school board, the effective and efficient use of our tax dollars, and engaging all members of our community - it is a truly important step two, to vote for Frank Annerino, Mike Smolka, Anthony Wang, Lisa Szczupaj, and Barb Kain. Click on each of our names to view our most recent contributions regarding solutions to some of the issues our school district is facing. This has been part of our entire narrative since we all decided to run together.

Here is a link to a sample ballot, which you can bring to your polling place if you so choose to. http://engaged15.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Sample-Ballot.pdf. Click here for a Letter to the Editor that really sums it all up.

Thank you,

Mike Smolka