4 Hopefuls Prevail In Lyons Township High Election: Unofficial Returns

LA GRANGE, IL – An incumbent and three other candidates prevailed for the four seats on the Lyons Township High School board in Tuesday's election.

With 100 percent of precincts reporting, here are the unofficial results:

• Christine Kozelka Campbell: 6,836 votes (22%)
• Shawn Kennedy: 6,516 votes (21%)
• Gioia Giannotti Frye: 6,200 votes (20%)
• Elias Lopez : 5,918 votes (19%)
• Arlene Cabana: 5,503 votes (18%)

The spread between the candidates was not large. Cabana, who finished last, was just 4 percentage points behind the top vote-getter, Campbell.

The candidates were incumbent Frye and challengers Cabana, Campbell, Lopez and Kennedy.

Incumbents Jill Grech, the board's president, and Michael Thomas decided against running again. And member Paula Struwing was removed from the ballot after the county's electoral board ruled in favor of an objection to her petition.

The seven-member school board has seen a lot of turnover in the last few years. Frye and Struwing were appointed last year.

Perhaps the school board's biggest issue in recent times was its secrecy through most of 2022 and early 2023 over the effort to sell land in Willow Springs to an industrial developer.

Officials warned the board to expect a backlash because the land was next to an elementary school and houses.

Once the board's plan was revealed in January 2023, an uproar ensued. The attorney general later found that closed-session meetings held about the land deal violated state law.

After Tuesday's election, only two members who took part in the secrecy are expected to remain on the board. Member Kari Dillon and Jill Beda Daniels' terms expire in 2027.

In early 2023, the Pleasantdale District 107 board opposed the sale of the 70 acres for industrial development. That's because Pleasantdale Elementary is next to the site. (The high school board abandoned the effort in March 2023.)

At the time, the Pleasantdale board president was Cabana.

In Patch's questionnaire, Cabana, a lawyer, said she and Pleasantdale residents did not oppose development within Willow Springs zoning regulations, which bar industrial uses.

"The board took an oath to do what is in the best interest of its students and having a transportation hub right next to where our youngest learners spend their days — exposing them to daily vehicle/truck emissions — is absolutely not in their best interest," Cabana said.

She also said the high school board should have informed residents and area public bodies about the plan to sell to an industrial buyer.

Candidates Frye and Lopez also criticized the board for its lack of openness on the Willow Springs land issue.

In their questionnaires, Campbell and Kennedy wouldn't say one way or another.

The candidates generally support the school board's plan to continue spending millions on building improvements at the two campuses.

"(T)he board is on the right track with capital projects to improve ADA accessibility, safety, modernize aging infrastructure & provide an up-to-date learning environment, all of which are critical for students to learn & thrive," Campbell, who founded a gymnastics academy, said in her questionnaire. "For our district to attract & retain excellent teachers & staff, these upgrades are required."

Cabana agreed the school board was on the right track with its improvements.

"However, with that said, the plans should accurately reflect wants versus needs, and prioritize projects, for the most part, to reflect needs over wants," she said. "The current proposed projects should also be evaluated to prioritize those that are needed most over others."

Frye, co-owner of an architectural firm, said building modernization has a big impact on student learning, health and safety.

"Recognizing this, the current administration and board developed a thoughtful, community-informed facility improvement plan, approaching the task with care and responsibility," she said.

Kennedy, a financial adviser and former Indian Head Park trustee, noted North Campus was 137 years old.

"Not doing everything possible to maintain an excellent school environment could be catastrophic if we are not diligent on continuing to improve both facilities," he said.

Lopez, president of the La Grange District 105 board, said the high school has plenty of money that can be used for different projects. A "fresh set of eyes with some experience on another board" can help, he said.