Want schools open

Nine candidates are running for three open seats for High School District 211 board on the April 6 ballot. Each is a qualified, committed member of our community who wishes to serve, but four of these candidates stand out: Jessica Hinkle, Kristen Steel, Robi Vollkommer and Denise Wilson. Voters residing in the district would do well to elect any combination of them.

These four candidates support the need to immediately open all five schools up for 100% in-person learning in place of online classes which has been extremely detrimental to our students' academic performance, social development and mental health. Together they point out that even before last year's move to online learning during the pandemic, only 57% of District 211 student left high school ready for college. The candidates also support redirecting more attention and resources toward preparing non-college bound students for careers in the trades and vocations. With the district running a $33 million budget surplus, all four candidates rightly support some form of taxpayer relief to residents of one of Illinois' most heavily-taxed regions.

Fostering greater equity is a new topic in our schools. These four candidates agree with the push for more equity, however not for controversial reasons based on race or ethnic background that merely serve to divide students, parents and our communities. One example of inequity is disparate graduation rates among the five high schools. They range from 92% at Palatine High School to 98% at Fremd. Schools should rightly focus on equity but with the emphasis shifting to improving academics and graduation rates.

Reopening schools for 100% in-person learning, focusing on improving academics in all five high schools as the key to addressing equity issues and relief for taxpayers in our district: three solid reasons why voters should vote for Jessica Hinkle, Kristen Steel, Robi Vollkommer and Denise Wilson to the District 211 school board.

Kurt Bahnmaier

Palatine