I am running for re-election to the District 90 Board of Education because I love our schools and I am proud of our schools. I am proud of our amazing teachers. I am proud of our committed administrators and engaged parents. I am proud of our excellent support staff. I am proud of our students who show up every day and try their best.
I am proud all three of our schools received the “exemplary” designation this past year. For those who know me, you are likely aware that I am not one who is overly caught up in these designations. I have always known that we have exemplary things happening in our schools, especially around teaching and learning, as well as our efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive community. However, it is notable that all three of our schools received this designation and gives us much to celebrate.
Of course, exemplary doesn’t mean perfect. I am running for re-election because I want to continue the work. We have many kids who are thriving in D90, but there are areas where we can do better in meeting the needs of our students.
I have three kids who have very different academic and social emotional needs. My oldest received special education services while in D90 and currently attends Triton. My middle child is a sophomore at OPRF and is more of a typical high-achieving student. My youngest is in eighth grade at Roosevelt. While she finds success in school, she has dealt with significant mental health challenges over the last three years.
Being the parent of kids with very different needs means I can understand the cross-section of experiences of our families and students in our district. I am running for re-election because my voice and perspective remain valuable and relevant as we look to pursue our district’s mission: to inspire and empower all learners to achieve their personal best.
I am running for re-election because experience matters. The next iteration of D90’s board of education will hire our new superintendent and oversee the next strategic planning process. During this time of transition, it is critical to have someone who understands the history of how we got to where we are, so we can be thoughtful about where we want to go.
I am excited about the future of D90 and the opportunities that exist to build on our strong foundation. Even though this year’s race is uncontested, I hope you will consider voting for me and encouraging others to do the same. While voting can seem less important when a race is uncontested, it is a way to show support for the type of leadership you, as a community member, would like to see representing River Forest.
It has been an honor to serve River Forest over the last six years and I look forward to the next four years.
Please feel free to reach out: avalosford90@gmail.com