Incumbents seek reelection for LCHS School Board
Gleason, Gordon, Ryan, Fitzpatrick seek reelection for LCHS School Board

[March 31, 2023]  In the past few years that we have served as your LCHS Board of Education members, we have navigated through COVID-19 and its mandates, implemented a 1:1 technology program, and returned our LCHS athletes back to the Central State 8 Conference, increasing their time in class and decreasing the travel time for our athletes and Railer Nation.

Academically, in the last four years, we have more than doubled the number of dual credit courses offered at LCHS, while our graduation rates have increased to 92%, the highest in recent history for LCHS. While increasing our academic success, we have worked hard to lower the student-teacher ratio and added two mental health counselors to aid our students as they navigate the “new normal” post-pandemic.

Financially, we have been responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars, keeping the tax rate for our community the same while maintaining the highest financial rating, a 4.0, that the Illinois State Board of Education awards school districts. LCHS is currently in the best financial position of this century.

You have seen the physical alterations as well to the LCHS building and grounds, as we have created highly-visible, efficient, and safe spaces for our students, staff and community to enjoy together, truly putting the word Community squarely in the middle of our mission as well as the title of the school.

Our building is used by community members and organizations year-round, and we knew it would be a priority to improve more areas of the building than we can name to keep it accessible to all, as we strive to educate students while still assisting them in realizing their full potential as responsible, productive, contributing members of society.

Our mission remains the same - support our students as they grow academically, emotionally, and socially while maintaining a safe, fiscally responsible space for them to do so that is open to the community.

We are proud of the work we have accomplished so far, but there is so much more yet to do.

We seek your support of our continued mission at the polls on April 4th (or before at the Logan County Courthouse in the Logan County Clerk’s Office).

Please read the ballot carefully as only three 4-year terms are open. A 2-year term is open but has no official candidate. That position will be filled by the seated board later this spring.

Sincerely,
Susan Gleason, Mark Gordon, Joe Ryan, Andy Fitzpatrick, LCHS graduates
“Once a Railer, Always a Railer”

[Text from file received]