Linda Bottom for LCHS School Board
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[April 03, 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.
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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. [to
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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
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