Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune
Thu, May 11, 2023 at 1:12 PM CDT·2 min read
The new Lockport Township High School District 205 Board was seated Wednesday including two members who were supported by the conservative parent group We The Parents Illinois.
Martin Boersma and Sandra Chimon Rogers were seated as Richard Ives and Michael Lewandowski left the board. Ives did not run for reelection and Lewandowski lost his reelection bid. Board member Veronica Shaw was reelected.
Boersma and Chimon Rogers were backed by We The Parents Illinois, which during the 2023 election endorsed challengers to several school and library board incumbents in races in Homer Glen, Lockport and Crest Hill.
We the Parents says on its website it started as a small group of parents who got together “in response to a loss of control in our children’s education.” The group states it stands for fiscal responsibly, restoring high academic standards, providing safe learning environments and protecting the classroom from woke and political ideology.
Chimon Rogers approached her seat at the board table with a bag that had tiles of elements from the periodic table and Boersma approached his seat with a backpack.
Neither Boersma nor Chimon Rogers sought to be on the board’s Curriculum Committee or the Finance and Facility Committee, or to be delegates for the Illinois Association of School Boards.
Chimon Rogers said she felt overwhelmed and excited.
“It sounds like it’ll be a lot of work but it’s for the greater good,” Chimon Rogers said.
Boersma said he looks forward to working with the board and community for what is best for students.
“I feel good. I feel comfortable. I think the board will work well together,” Boersma said.
After all seven board members read the oath of office in unison, the group voted for Ann Lopez-Caneva to continue as board president. Chimon Rogers nominated Shaw to be vice president and Shaw nominated Chimon Rogers to be secretary, which the board approved.
Superintendent Robert McBride said he’s excited about the new board because the members have different ethnic, racial and professional backgrounds that represent the community.
“This board represents the total diversity of our district,” McBride said. “New things are exciting.”
