U-46 seats new school board members

Elgin Area School District U-46 seated newly elected school board members Monday night and bid farewell to board member Cody Holt.

Incumbents returning to the board are Donna Smith and Veronica Noland, who were sworn in along with former Citizens' Advisory Council Chairwoman Melissa Owens. Smith was elected to resume her role as board president.

Smith acknowledged the service of Holt, a 2010 Larkin High School graduate - among the youngest candidates to run for and be elected to the school board in April 2015 to a two-year term.

"It's an extension of our students getting involved and you should be commended for doing that at that age," she said. "It shows our students an example of what they can accomplish and how they can be involved."

Holt, 25, of Elgin, said his goals are the same today as when he was elected. " ... To be a voice for reform, fiscal responsibility, and prosperity by adhering strictly to the principles of individual liberty.

"As a former student of the district and actively engaged citizen there is nothing that compares to representing your fellow citizens on a governing body," he said. "It is still my opinion that many things in this district need to change and that it should not be business as usual. I am still shocked at the massive amount of power and influence that organized labor has in the governing and negotiating power of our school district."

Holt closed his statement with an appeal to the governor and state lawmakers to pass a balanced budget with reforms.

School board members also sent off student adviser Eric Loera, who after graduating from Streamwood High School later this month will be attending the University of Illinois at Springfield this fall and majoring in public administration on a full scholarship.

"Over the course of this short year, I have learned so much from this position," said Loera, who served as president of Latinos Unidos, National Honors Society vice president, and vice chair of the Youth at Hanover Township Committee. "It has been a privilege to have served alongside (board members). It is important that as a district we continue to celebrate our diversity. We can learn so much from one another when we build bridges not walls."

He was replaced by Casey Pearce, a soon-to-be senior at Bartlett High School enrolled in the Science, Engineering and High Technology Academy. She serves on the CEO Student Advisory Council and is a member of the National Honor Society and track team. She also performs with the Schaumburg Youth Orchestra and Bartlett Orchestra.