Shawn Kennedy, LTHS Board Candidate

LA GRANGE, IL – Shawn Kennedy is one of five candidates for four seats on the Lyons Township High School board.

Here are his responses to the Patch questionnaire:

Name:

Shawn Kennedy

Town of residence:

Indian Head Park

Age:

53 next March

Campaign contact email:

shawnkennedy4ihp@gmail.com

Family:

Spouse Julie Morgan, Step son Zachary Morgan, Son Colin Kennedy & Son Cameron Kennedy

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

Julie is a Physician Assistant at the Edwards Hines, Jr. Veterans Affairs Hospital

Education:

LTHS Graduate 1990

Occupation:

Independent Licensed Financial Advisor

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

Village Trustee in the Village of Indian Head park 2020-2023, During that time I was also the Committee Chair of Public works Department, Committee Chair of the Fence & Shed committee, Committee Chair of the Tree & Landscaping committee. Today I still serve on both the Economic Development and Trees & landscaping committees.

For two years I have been acting as a Mentor in the LTHS Incubator Entrepreneurial program. I am also on my second year within the Lyons Township Community Advisory Council (LTCAC), where I am now the Chair.

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

The single most pressing issue facing the school board is transparency

Follow the rules that are outlined in the Illinois Open meetings Act (OMA) and be as transparent as possible.

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

My expertise with 25 years of experience in budget analysis, financial planning, investment planning, tax planning coupled with 5 years of multiple board and committee appointments.

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

During my time as a trustee in Indian Head Park our board delt with two very large and divisive issues. Those issues were how the village would handle the legalization of cannabis and COVID-19. In both cases I think we did the best we could with the information we had at the time. Since then, COVID has obviously been less of an issue in our society due in part to the fact our community worked together and followed the advice from our Federal and State medical officials. As for cannabis, in 2024 Illinois had generated over $490 million in tax revenue for the year. I think the board made correct decisions in both cases.

How would you rate the performance of the current school board? Explain.

Overall, excellent. Recently, LT received for the first time in school history an Exemplary rating from the Illinois State Board of Education, their highest rating possible. This puts LT in the top 10% for all 1,292 High Schools in Illinois, and zero student groups underperforming.

Are the district's property taxes too high, too low or just about right? Explain.

I do not believe there is only one answer for this question, I think that if every taxpaying resident in the district had a chance to answer, too high, too low and just about right would be represented. In the end it is our tax dollars that are used to recruit top talent in all phases of staffing that leads us to accolades like the Exemplary rating I mentioned earlier.

What is your view of students' performance on standardized tests? What can be done to improve scores?

I fear an answer here may be premature. My justification for this is with the potential of the dismantling of the US Board of Education, thus eliminating future funding LT receives, our priority should be to figure out how will fill those potentially lost funds for our students on 504’s and IEP’s. These are the students that would suffer the most with that decision should it become a reality.

How can the district narrow the gap in performance between low- and high-income students?

This is the definition of DEI. No student should receive less resources than other students especially due to their household income. This includes in the home. Do all our students have working WiFi at home? Do all students have a parent at home during the evening for support’ helping with assignments, or helping to study for tests and quizzes? Can the district help narrow the gaps for these families and students, I think it should be open to doing just that.

The high school is looking at tens of millions in building projects. Is the board on the right track with its plan?

We have a unique school district, if you look at other high schools in our area, we are the only one I am aware of that has two separate campuses for one four-year high school. This means our overhead when it comes to facilities is close to two times our neighbors. Yet we still have one of the top-rated schools in the state. One of those facilities is 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.

Should the board put a property tax hike on the ballot to pay for building projects?

Before any talk of a tax increase is suggested I would like to look at leveraging resources we have, for instance, should the property located in Willow Springs be sold, with the caveat that all stake holders are happy. Including but not limited to the residents of WS, Pleasant Dale Elementary school, The Village of Willow Springs, Pleasant Dale Park District and of course LT. I’d like to see if we could install solar panels on both schools. Over time the money spent on the electricity would be recouped by no longer having an electric bill or at least a greatly reduced one. This means that current outflow of cash stays in future boards hands for additional building projects. Spending money wisely on infrastructure that can save money later is in my opinion something that should be investigated.

Which other sources of money could the board tap into for such projects?

Based on my earlier comments regarding the Federal Government threatening the closing of the Department of Education and how funding my be removed it would be premature of me to speculate where to get funds for these projects when we may very well need them for helping our students that are due to lose resources.

What is your view of the board's past effort to sell its land in Willow Springs to an industrial developer?

My view is, in the end every stakeholder feels upset for one reason or another. I have spoken to members of The Village of WS, Pleasant Dale Park District representatives, WS residents and LT Board members. I, personally feel a fresh start is the best way to approach a potential sale by getting all stake holders together to discuss what is the best outcome they hope for and see if all parties can come to an agreement. LT wants the capital for improvements, residents, the Park District and Pleasant Dale Elementary school do not want industrial, and the Village wants tax revenue. I think a buyer can be found that satisfies everyone’s wishes.

Should the board have let other public bodies and residents know about its effort to go with an industrial buyer, rather than keep it under wraps for the better part of a year? Why or why not?

Not being privy to what was discussed by whom and when regarding all aspects of the sale, all I can say if elected I would absolutely push for 100% transparency for start to finish of a potential sale.

Was the attorney general right to find the board in violation of the Open Meetings Act to discuss selling the land to an industrial developer? Why or why not?

I will leave that up to the AG, it is not my place to tell them how to do their job. If they feel it was warranted, then they alone should decide.

The board has released the recordings of meetings that the attorney general identified as violating the open meetings law. Should the board post them on its website? Why or why not?

If they are available to the public, I am not sure I see a need. All faculty members salaries are available to the public, I am sure none of them post it on their own social media platforms.

Is the high school teaching critical race theory, Marxism or any other ideologies? If so, what should be done about it?

No, I do not believe LT is teaching any of those topics. Having two sons that graduated last year and one still at LT, I have never seen a book, homework assignment or had a conversation with my children that they were enrolling in a class that teaches them. I do think LT does and should continue to teach all of these and any other ideologies when it comes to history. Discussing who Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels were and what they are known for is something all students should learn about.

How is the district doing in getting good and bad news to the community?

My time as a Village Trustee we faced the same issues. Some wanted the old fashion newsletter in their mailboxes, and some wanted it emailed while others thought posting on social media was the best option. I think if they continue to use all those resources available to them, they should disseminate the information to all community members.

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

No, not currently. My youngest is still at LT and I plan to fulfill my entire term.

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

If elected my approach would be focused on doing what is the best for the community, community members school, staff and most importantly the students for the entire four-year term. I would also serve with the focus that no decision made by this board will have a negative impact on any part of the community, community members school, staff and most importantly the students in years to come. I think it is imperative that any board always does it best by doing good today without negative impacts in the future. District 204 was here 84 years before me, and I think it will be here more than 84 years after me.

1. LYONS TWP HIGH SCH | School Snapshot