At the June 7 meeting of the District 65 School Board, Marquise Weatherspoon was sworn in as the newest member of the Board. She will fill the vacancy left by Rebeca Mendoza who resigned her position effective April 28, 2021.
“The Board observed a thorough, timely process in seeking candidates to fill the vacancy. An application was open from May 3 – May 21, 2021 which resulted in the receipt of seven completed applications from a diverse group of community members. The Board interviewed applicants on June 1, 2021,” said the District in a prepared statement.
“We are so fortunate to have the opportunity to welcome to the Board a leader with a wealth of fiscal and advocacy knowledge and lived experience in D65 and Evanston/Skokie at large as both an alumni and parent,” said Anya Tanyavutti, Board President in a prepared statement. “Ms. Weatherspoon’s depth of and variety of knowledge are an excellent complement to this governing body and the priorities ahead for D65 to address the gap in opportunity to achieve for racially/ethnically marginalized students and students with IEPs as well as resolution of the structural deficit.”
“Ms. Weatherspoon is a third generation Evanston native, a product of School District 65, and a single mother with four children that have been, or are currently students in the District. She holds a degree in Business Accounting and currently has a career in sales and customer service. She also serves as President of Advocates for Action, treasurer of Chute PTA, and as a minister at Christ Temple Missionary Baptist Church,” said the District.
“This appointment is a privilege for me and my family echoes my excitement in joining this great leadership team. I promise my community that I will bring my lived experiences, love for all children, my grit and determination to my work on this Board,” said Ms. Weatherspoon. “I am committed to cultivating an equitable, safe, and inclusive environment for all of the students, faculty members and families of the diverse Evanston/Skokie School District 65 system. It was this dedication and the support of my community that afforded me this opportunity. Prayerfully, it will be what will guide me through and help me to build successful outcomes for our children. History is watching and I am eternally grateful for the future that is dependent on me.”
Ms. Weatherspoon was one of the eight candidates who ran for one of the four seats on the District 65 School Board in the April election. She was the fifth top vote getter, so did not win a seat on the Board in the election. A candidate’s profile of Ms. Weatherspoon is available here.
Ms. Weatherspoon’s term will run through the April 2023 election.