Baum seeks another term on D202 board

Jonathan Baum announced today that he’s filed petitions to seek a second term on the Evanston Township High School board.

Baum was the top vote-getter in the 2011 election with 3,366 votes in a five-way race for three seats.

Here’s a statement Baum issued in announcing his candidacy:

Today I filed nominating papers for re-election to the District 202 Board of Education in the April 7, 2015 election. I am running on my record. Four years ago I articulated three goals for my work on the District 202 Board, and I am proud to say that we have made significant progress on all of them:

• Create a seamless educational experience for the students of Districts 65 and 202:  We now have the first-ever Joint Board Goal on student achievement from pre-K through 12th grade, the first-ever requirement for the two superintendents to report jointly each year on the academic progress of all our students, and the first-ever joint calendar development process.
• Focus on the individual ETHS student:  Our District Goal for student achievement now goes beyond demographic and ability level groups to call for “increasing each student’s academic trajectory;” we have enhanced the course offerings and supports for students at all ability levels; and we have the beginnings of an advisory system to help our students take advantage of all the opportunities that are available at ETHS.
• Increase transparency and accountability:  All board committees are now run by board members, not administrators, and subject to Open Meetings Act requirements; our board policy has been changed to encourage communication by members of the public on board matters directly to board members, rather than through administrators; our board meetings are now broadcast live on TV and internet; and district programs are increasingly subject to rigorous, public evaluation.

I am running for re-election because much work remains to be done in advancing each of these goals, as well as in tackling other significant challenges facing District 202. In addition to my District 202 Board service, I bring to this task my unique experience as both a former member of the District 65 Board of Education and as a parent of three children at ETHS for each of the last four years.

I am honored that four distinguished individuals, who together represent three generations of service to the youth of our community, have agreed to serve as the Honorary Co-Chairs of my campaign: Former District 202 Board President Margaret Lurie, former District 65 Board member Hecky Powell, parent activist Kristin James, and former District 202 Board Student Representative Russell Fillmore-Brady.

I am also proud to have the support of U.S. Representative Jan Schakowsky, Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin, Evanston Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, and Evanston City Council members Coleen Burrus, Jane Grover, Delores Holmes, Ann Rainey, Mark Tendam, Don Wilson, and Melissa Wynne.