Frank Evans, Lyons Township High School Candidate

LA GRANGE, IL — Frank Evans is one of seven candidates for three seats on the Lyons Township High School board. Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Frank Evans

Town of residence:

La Grange

Age:

53

Campaign contact email:

frank@evans4lt.com

Campaign website:

evans4ltboard.com

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education:

University of Illinois Chicago

Occupation:

Managing Associate, CBA Pension

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

None.

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

Guiding the school back to pre-pandemic levels of excellence, allowing transparency and developing community engagement. As a board member, that will be my priority.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I have been self-employed my entire adult life. First as a floor trader at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, then as a financial advisor since 2002. I understand budgeting and finance along with the responsibilities of a business owner--such as meeting payroll and operating expenses.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I became a member of the CME at 23 with borrowed money, changed careers at 32 with a young family depending on me, and have grown a successful practice helping families throughout our community for 21 years. I'm confident I can handle the responsibilities of the LTHS school board.

What can the school do to counteract dropping standardized test scores?

Make homework, testing and attendance matter again. I understand changes needed to be made during the pandemic, but a return to accountability for both students and staff will result in prepared students and higher test scores.

Do you generally support the work of the school district's administration? Why or why not?

I understand that this is not an easy job and expect that the administration is sincerely trying their best. So, I do generally support the work of the school district's administration. I do think though, that the board has room to improve community relations by being transparent with the public regarding important decisions like the Pleasantdale land sale and masking of the students.

How do you view Lyons Township High School's handling of the sale of its Willow Springs land? Has the school district been open enough with the public about the process? Why or why not?

It has been mishandled- unnecessarily. The public was not engaged as the current board was negotiating with potential buyers- resulting in an upset and angry community. Rightly so.

What is your view of critical race theory? Is it being taught in the local schools? If so, what evidence do you have of that?

I feel that every student regardless of race or socio-economic status should have support and access to every resource available to help them learn and succeed. We cannot go back in time and fix the mistakes of the past- we can only move forward. I am not privy to the curriculum yet so I cannot say with confidence that CRT is or isn't being taught locally.

What is your view of sex education in local schools? Should an LGBT component be included? Why or why not?

Sex education should be taught in schools. LGBT is a part of that. But, I think that students should have the ability to opt-out if they choose.

Will you take questions from the media if you are elected?

Yes.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Just keep moving forward.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I am a business owner and father of three. My wife is an educator and our youngest is a junior at LTHS. Much has changed in our community since we first moved to LaGrange in 1999 and became parents, but one thing never does: we all want the best for our kids. I want to help our school get back to the basics of education and focus on the academic tools that will prepare our children for life after LTHS.

We need to restore our school rating to a 10, provide a safe learning environment for all students and become accountable for all social, fiscal, and educational directives.