Meet Ben Bush, Candidate For OLCHS Dist. 229 Board of Education

OAK LAWN, IL — Ben Bush is one of two write-in candidates running for an open seat on the Oak Lawn Community High School Dist. 229 Board of Education in the April 1 election. Early voting starts March 17 at the Oak Lawn Public Library, 9427 S. Raymond Ave.

Your Name

Ben Bush

Email Address

Benjamin.Bush+d229@gmail.com

Campaign social media

FB: facebook.com/Bush4Board

Town/city of residence

Oak Lawn in the D123 and D229 school districts.

Family

Wife: Sharon Aparicio Bush, who is the strongest, most dedicated family head honcho I know.

Son: David, a junior at Oak Lawn Community High School, a dedicated and involved student who is currently on the High Honor Roll and a member of the National Honor Society, and has won numerous medals with Spartan Varsity Boys Bowling.

Daughter: Vivian, who will be an entering freshman at OLCHS next year, has a big personality and an even bigger voice – she loves the theater programs!

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No.

Education

University of Cincinnati

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

Procurement, Foodservice/Retail for over 12 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office

None

The most pressing issues facing our district are lagging student success, and this is what I intend to do about them.

Along with the Superintendent and staff at the high school, the board will be working on a strategic plan to improve student outcomes and create an environment where every Spartan is focused on the future and connected to the community. The plan calls for rigorous academics; creating many pathways to students’ futures; recruiting and retaining the best educators; utilizing research-based curricula and practices; keeping schools safe, up-to-date, and ready for learning; and engaging the community by empowering families and fostering strong ties with the Village of Oak Lawn and our educational partners outside the district.

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

First and foremost, I am focused on one goal: student success. My opponent has repeatedly expressed his interest in higher office, making it clear he is only using the D229 Board as a stepping stone. Additionally, I bring a proper attitude of curiosity, as well as a devotion to best practices. I don’t think I have all the answers, but I’m very good at asking the right questions. I have been endorsed by the Board President, Rob Loehr, and several other members of the board.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I have watched my two children as they were prepared for high school, and struggled through remote learning and the disconnection that created. There are significant gaps between where our students should be academically and where they would ideally be. I feel there are always great opportunities for partnership with Districts 122 and 123 to better prepare students for high school. A good example of such changes is returning percent/letter grading to Oak Lawn Hometown Middle School. Additionally, working to get high achievers further along their academic track – and implementing more effective interventions for learners more challenged to meet grade levels during elementary education – would make OLCHS even more competitive academically. We have three great districts and excellent staff all working together, so I believe building on that is 100% achievable.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job? Why should voters trust you?

I have been endorsed by the Dist. 229 board president, as well as several current members, since they recognize the dedication and vigor I would bring to the board. I have often been recruited to leadership positions based on the insight I bring to issues, from leadership of college organizations to special task forces at employers. This is my first opportunity to give time and effort to a public board position, but I am committed to student success for every class that passes through the high school. I have children at this school, and that gives me even more incentive to do the job right. I am committed to students, rather than what my next position would be. I started attending Board of Education meetings in November, before running for the position, to ensure I would bring value to the Board. Once I decided to run, I continued attending information sessions, board meetings, and other school events to make sure I would be able to hit the ground running if the good people of Oak Lawn chose me to represent them.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

I am driven to implement the goals the District has outlined in their Strategic Vision. If I can help to implement these goals, that’s my definition of success.

What guidance should staff be given for dealing with potential ICE enforcement at schools?

There are already procedures for law enforcement on school premises, and I would not take a position beyond that without extensive consultation with counsel, the Board, and experts. As a district, it’s necessary to continue training and informing staff so they are prepared to respond appropriately based on their legal authority, while maintaining a safe and non-disruptive environment for learning.

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

In my experience as a parent of an OLCHS student, anything related to these topics has only been taught in the educational context of existing ideologies. I respect our teachers and trust their ability to teach difficult topics without bias or indoctrination.

Should cell phones be banned during school? Why or why not?

The school has implemented a very well-received program of limiting device usage through cooperative programs, and teachers are empowered to escalate to forced bans within their classrooms. Any stronger policy, once again, removes the teacher’s ability to run their classroom in a manner that they choose. We have entrusted these teachers with our students’ success, and we do our best to provide them with the resources they need; undermining their judgment isn’t beneficial.

How do you feel about sex education being taught in school? Should an LGBTQ component be included, and why or why not?

We have evidence that sex education is crucial to healthier attitudes and activities. Within reason, educating on certain LGBTQ aspects of sex education is similarly crucial. To omit one portion of our school population is likely to prove harmful. We are preparing our students for success in the wider world beyond graduation, and sex education is vital to responsible behaviors as they move through that world.

Do you think property taxes are too high, too low or just right?

Nobody is ever excited to pay taxes, but great schools return value to taxpayers. Nobody minds paying thousands of dollars for something they think is worth thousands of dollars. Strong public school districts are an indicator of healthy communities, and they have a direct correlation to property values. As a board member, I will do everything in my power to keep our district as lean as it can be without risking Spartan achievement.

When it comes to student achievement, what are schools within this district doing well and what needs to be improved? How can those improvements be made?

Oak Lawn Community High School is an amazing environment, with so many robust offerings across the academic spectrum from art to engineering. Our high school’s array of courses, technology, tools, and staff are well beyond those offered at private schools in the area. OLCHS does have opportunities for improvement to student outcomes. A number of external challenges, such as increasing student diversity, the rise in ESL students – and varying levels of school-preparedness that may accompany that – require us to prepare teachers and staff to meet those students where they are. Setting students on pathways to success is more crucial than ever.

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

Absolutely not.