Warren Twp. Dist. 121 opts for veterans again

Three incumbents and a newcomer were elected Tuesday to the Warren Township High School board.

With all 49 precincts counted, unofficial results show incumbent Charles Crowley Jr. led the pack with 3,623 votes. There were six candidates for four open 4-year seats on the Gurnee-based Warren District 121 board.

Following Crowley were board President John Anderson with 3,329 votes, newcomer Jeanette Thommes with 3,254 votes and incumbent Larry Stried with 3,232. Out of the running were Douglas Dietrich with 3,063 votes and Michael Munda 2,833.

Crowley, Anderson and Stried will be starting their second, 4-year terms together.

"I think the fact the three incumbents got re-elected says something," Crowley said. "It says we're doing our job."

Thommes said she believes she won her first run for public office through being visible at Woodland Elementary District 50 in Gurnee and at District 121. Her campaign issues included more openness in finances and decision-making at Warren.

"It's the school board's job to make the administration accountable," Thommes said.

Thommes also touted the idea of forming partnershops with the elementary school districts that feed into District 121, such as Woodland.Issues that arose during the campaign included having more openness among school board members, finances and controlling expenditures. Another issue that came up was the idea that District 121 might need a third campus.

Anderson was among the incumbents who touted his experience during the race. The board president said he's educated about the issues and that District 121 has improved during his tenure.