School boards in Beach Park, Zion have more vacancies than candidates ahead of election; ‘I hope that it’s not because people don’t care’

Ideally, Denise Lear would be wrapping up her tenure on the Zion Elementary School District 6 school board this spring.

The 70-year-old Zion resident said she still cares deeply about making sure students receive a quality education, adding she was encouraged to run again by former board member Al Rogers and Dawn Johnson of Waukegan before they passed away last year.

But there’s another reason Lear is running again — a lack of people willing to replace her.

Only Lear and fellow District 6 board incumbent Robert Surano filed to run with the Lake County Clerk’s Office, meaning there are two ballot options with three vacancies open after board President Ruth Davis didn’t file to run again.

“School board members take a lot of flack and no pay,” Lear said. “I think when people find out that this is an elected official, but you do not get paid and you cannot move, that discourages a lot of people.”

Nearby Beach Park School District 3 has two candidates on the ballot with four open seats after board President Marcia White and Andrea Usry, who was appointed in August to fill a vacancy, were the only candidates to file with the Lake County Clerk’s Office.

Current board Vice President Andy Luther and other appointees Steve Lenzi and Anne Fuson have not filed for full terms, making it likely the board will be making more appointments ahead of next school year.

Usry, a retired Lake County sheriff’s deputy, said the opening of a new prekindergarten program is one issue facing the next board.

“Part of what prompted me to run is I missed the engagement with the school,” Usry said. “I’m also raising my second family, I have a 4- and a 5-year-old here, and I want the best for them as well.”

Last year saw the resignation of Superintendent Craig Doster after a push from teachers and residents, and the district recently announced it has hired Denise Wilcox as a permanent replacement, effective July 1, after she served as interim superintendent.

Usry said she was not sure why there are not more candidates running for school board. Nearby Winthrop Harbor School District 1 and Antioch School District 34 have seven and 13 candidates, respectively.

“We really need good people that are invested in our youth,” Usry said. “I don’t know if it’s not advertised enough, I don’t know if people just aren’t aware, because I don’t think it’s because people don’t care. I hope that it’s not because people don’t care.”

Lear said one issue the next board will take on is ensuring that every student has safe transportation to school. She said her “heart is in” the work, and that it is important to make sure that anyone appointed to seats is all in as well because people don’t always do as well, “if somebody makes you do something.”

Usry said she is “very invested” in making sure, “all youth have the opportunity to have the best education possible.” She said anyone interested in serving on the board can learn more about expectations and how to be a write-in candidate or apply for an appointment by visiting District 3′s website.

The last day to file a declaration to run as a write-in candidate is Feb. 2.

“These are going to be the kids that are taking care of us when we’re in nursing homes,” Usry said. “These are the kids that are going to be taking over our businesses, and hopefully will be doctors and lawyers. I want the best for them.

“I know that we live in a community that’s challenged financially, and I’m very much vested in trying to give these kids every opportunity that they deserve to succeed,” she said.