Evanston Township High School board candidate Jonathan Baum, of 2754 Broadway Ave., is director of pro bono services at Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP in Chicago.
Family
Baum and his wife Bonnie have four children. Jessica, an ETHS sophomore; Abby and Sam, ETHS freshmen, and Eli, a sixth grader at Roycemore.
Education
Law degree from the University of Chicago. Bachelor’s degree from Harvard University.
In his own words
Opening statement at Feb. 10 candidate forum at Haven Middle School.
I’m Jonathan Baum. Thank you Central Street Neighbors and the Haven PTA for hosting us tonight, and to all of you for coming.
I’m running for the District 202 school board because ETHS faces great challenges, and I believe that I can help in meeting those challenges.
The biggest challenges, as I see them, are these:
First, we need to challenge every student, support every student, and guide every student to help them achieve their full academic potential.
Second, we need to maintaing the fiscal health of the district in tough economic times, actively scrutinizing every program position to make sure we get the maximum bang for our buck.
Third, we need to coordinate more closely with District 65, to make sure that we provide a seamless educational experience for all of our children.
And finally, we need to make the District 202 board more responsive to constituents, more transparent in its decisionmaking, and more rigorous in its oversight of district populations.
I believe that I bring a unique combination of perspectives to this task.
First of all, I’m steeped in this community, as an ETHS alum and long-time activist in community organizations.
Second, I am the parent of three current ETHS students, and a middle-schooler, so I am in touch with what’s happening now at ETHS and have a profound stake in its success.
Third, as a civil rights lawyer, I have dedicated my professional life to advancing fairness and equality of opportunity.
And finally, I see things from a K-12 perspective, not a 9-12 perspective, because as a member of the District 65 Board of Education I tackled the tough academic and fiscal issues that both of our districts face.
That’s what I bring to the table. I look forward to hearing your questions, and I would hope for your support.
Campaign website
Other resources
Profile on PTA Council website
Art Newman interview with Jonathan Baum (video)
Why I support Jonathan Baum
I write to express my unqualified support for Jonathan Baum’s candidacy for the District 202 school board. Having served with Jonathan for four years on the District 65 school board, I can attest that there is no one who works harder as a board member or takes that role more seriously. He understands the proper balance between the role of the board and the role of the administration. He has a proven record of demanding public discussion of public issues, setting measurable goals for the administration, thoroughly evaluating district programs and of building an evaluation component into every new plan or program.
He prepared thoroughly for every board and committee meeting including participating in the yearlong revision of the D65 policy manual, analyzing budgets and guiding the Program/Policy Committee through many complicated issues.
He recognizes that ETHS is the jewel of this community and that this community is obligated to provide the highest quality education to EVERY student at ETHS. He will insist that ALL students are challenged AND supported throughout their high school careers.
More than other attempts to influence the direction of the board, this election is YOUR opportunity to shape the membership of the board. If you believe that the direction of the high school is important to the future of this community, I urge you to vote and to cast your vote for Jonathan Baum.
Respectfully,
Mary Rita Luecke¬
Former D65 Board Member and Board President