Candance Chow submitted her resignation from the District 65 School Board yesterday, Feb. 10. She served on the Board for almost seven years; her current term was to expire in 2021. During her tenure she served as President of the School Board, Chair of the Board’s Finance Committee, and held other positions.
Ms. Chow served as the point person for the Board in connection with developing the District’s five-year strategic plan that was unanimously adopted by the Board in March 2015. She oversaw extensive efforts to reach out to faculty, teachers, staff, parents, students, and members of the community, including those whose voices were typically not heard; and more than 3,000 people gave input for the plan in forums, committees, interviews and a survey.
The 53-page strategic plan contains five goals to improve high quality teaching and learning, to build a thriving workforce, to enhance family and community engagement, to provide a safe and supportive school climate, and to maintain financial sustainability. Many of the strategies identified in the plan have been implemented under the District’s equity umbrella.
Ms. Chow was President of the School Board when the community approved the School District 65’s $14.5 million referendum by an almost unheard of 80% to 20% vote on April 4, 2017. Many attributed the success to the dedicated efforts of a core group of approximately 35 to 40 people, hundreds of volunteers, grass roots efforts to educate the community, and the community’s deep commitment to children, education, and the public schools.
Ms. Chow told the RoundTable shortly after the referendum that her role and that of other Board members and then-Superintendent Paul Goren was to provide people with information to show the situation the District was in, why the money was needed, and how the District planned to use it.
“I think I went to over 100 events, ranging from large forums at the schools, forums at senior centers, churches and places of faith, neighborhood events, and coffees in people’s homes,” said Ms. Chow.
After the referendum she ensured that policies were put in place to ensure that the District would use the funds to balance its budgets for the next five years as promised in the referendum.
In her letter resigning from the Board, Ms. Chow said, “It has been a true honor to serve the children, families, staff and community of District 65 for the past seven years. I have worked as hard as I know how to contribute to improving the lives of children in our communities. And, I have been truly blessed to sit and stand alongside many amazing educators, administrators, supporters, and board colleagues throughout this journey.
“As the District begins a new chapter with Dr. Horton’s leadership, I wish everyone the very best and trust that principled, thoughtful, and student-centered decision making will guide you forward. I will continue to advocate for children and families, in particular those who have been historically underserved, and remain dedicated to the district’s success as a parent and community member.”
“On behalf of the School Board, I would like to thank Candance for her seven years of service on the District 65 Board,” said Suni Kartha, Board President, in a statement posted on the District’s website. “She has been a vocal advocate for children and families and a dedicated public servant.”
It is anticipated that Ms. Chow will be honored for her service at a Board meeting in March.
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Community Members May Apply to Fill Vacant Position on the District 65 School Board
To fill the vacancy, the District 65 School Board will seek applicants from across the District 65 community. In order to be eligible to serve, a School Board member must be a citizen of the United States, at least 18 years of age, a registered voter, and a resident of the State of Illinois and Evanston/Skokie School District 65 for at least one year.
The term of the appointed Board member will run until the April 2021 election. For more information about the process, please visit www.district65.net/boardvacancy or contact Adeela Qureshi at (847) 859-8111.
Application documents must be submitted by Wednesday, February 26, 2020, at 5 p.m.
The applicant selected will be announced at the March 23 Board meeting.
Ms. Adeela Quereshi District 65 School Board Secretary C/O D65 Administration Office 1500 McDaniel Avenue Evanston, IL 60201