Linda Bottom for LCHS School Board

[April 04, 2023]  For the past two and a half years, I have been attending LCHS School Board meetings, sometimes joined by a small group of parents and grandparents from the Lincoln community. I also have two children who have both attended LCHS for four years. I am a candidate for the LCHS school board and desire to work for parents, students, as well as the community.

The US News and World Report said the graduation rate at LCHS is 81% which is well below the state median. Did any students graduate without knowing fundamentals of reading and math? I’ve had some parents explain to me their child was not able to read, yet they were moved on to the next grade. The fundamentals of reading, writing and math skills need to addressed even in high school with students who did not get the basics along the way. We need to bring back standardized testing to make sure our students can read and write at the appropriate grade level before they are moved to the next grade.

The current board hired two mental health counselors that I would contend were needed due to the mental health issues caused by their Covid policies forced upon the students. Masking in particular caused students in the high school to fear each other as well as the very air they breathed. It‘s difficult to learn and think while wearing a mask, not being able to breathe freely and inhaling toxins that should have been exhaled. It is important to know there were many schools around the state of Illinois whose school boards did not choose the Covid requirements for their students.

Academically, LCHS ranks in the bottom half of Illinois with test scores. LCHS ranks 410 out of 673 schools, according to the US News and World Report. I think we can do much better than that and would like to see us in the top 10-20% of schools in Illinois.

The current board members stated they have been responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars and kept the tax rate the same, while at the same time renovating much of the school; but they did not mention they received millions of dollars of federal grant money for enforcing strict Covid rules on the students. I feel it is misleading to say they kept the tax rate the same, but not mention the large surplus of money they received from the Covid federal grant money.

I would like to see LCHS and the school board be very transparent with the parents and the community. The school board is elected to represent the parents and the community and be their voice to the school. If you elect me as a school board member, I will value your input as to the curriculum your child is learning, issues with bullying and any concern you may have.

Parent-teacher conferences must be brought back as they are essential for parents to meet the teachers, discuss their child, and be involved. There should be an openness to allow parents to fully see the curriculum of the students. I am also opposed to any sexual/gender grooming in school.

Do you want to see transparency and have a voice with your child’s school or our community’s school? I want to be your voice. I would like to hear your concerns. If I am elected, I will endeavor to do this. This is our school. Let’s make it a place of high academic standards, morality, and a place that prepares our students for the challenges of adulthood.

Sincerely,
Linda Bottom