Early elections under way for DPS school board candidates

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Early voting started late February, and with just a few weeks away from the Consolidated Election, candidates are taking time to introduce themselves -- and their ideas -- to voters.

Macon County Republican Women hosted a forum Tuesday night for candidates for Decatur City Council and Decatur Public School's Education Board to answer questions from citizens gearing up to vote.

Six candidates are running for four seats on the school board that will up for election in April. One incumbent, Jason Dion, is choosing to run for re-election; Alana Banks, Kevin Collins, and Al Scheider are not running for re-election. Also on the ballot are Karen Lauritzen, Tony Albertina, Kevin Hale, Christina Tyus, and Devon Joyner. Out of the six candidates, Lauritzen, Albertina, and Hale attended the forum.

The attending candidates spoke on issues they felt were plaguing the district from success, like low test scores, lack of teachers, and misuse of resources.

All candidates agreed that a large piece of the puzzle would be fixing the teacher crisis DPS is currently experiencing. Hale explained that teachers are leaving due to lack of support from the district. "You want to know why teachers are leaving the city broke? Because we're unsupported and being worked to the max."

Lauritzen explained that teachers are also being allocated students who do not have teachers for their own classes. "There are 20 students being spread into four different classrooms, where each of those teachers make $150 to babysit those children to the tune of $600 a day. That is what's happening in our districts."

Hale is a big proponent of using buildings the district already has to create a more viable alternative schooling options. "The bottom line is this: it is an underused space. Let's use it for a purpose that's going to uplift children that have the greatest need." Hale believes that allocating resources for alternative schooling will help students who are struggling, flourish.

Lauritzen said that one of her goals would be to improve test scores, as well as math and reading levels throughout the district. "3% of our students here in Decatur are proficient in math, and 9% are proficient in reading." Lauritzen explained. "That is not okay. It is absolutely not okay."

The Board will also be responsible for hiring a new Superintendent, with Dr. Clark's retirement in 2026 growing closer by the day. Albertina said he would not take the responsibility lightly. "We need to have serious conversations on the process we're going to take to get a Superintendent. It's crucial. It'll lead the district in the complete wrong direction if we don't get the right person in there."

Early voting is currently under way at the 151 W. Wood Street location in Decatur. The hours for early voting can be found below.

Dates	Hours
Monday -Friday March 10th – March 14th	8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday March 17th – March 21st	8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Monday – Friday March 24th – March 28th	8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Saturday March 29th	9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Monday March 31st	8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday (Election Day) April 1st	6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m