As candidates seeking seats on the Lockport Township District 205 Board explained their platforms at a community forum Tuesday, political tensions quickly came to the forefront.

Ten candidates, including elected and appointed board members, former teachers and district parents, shared the east campus auditorium stage in Lockport and expressed diverse visions for the district of roughly 4,000 students. The LTHS 205 Foundation organized and moderated the forum.

Improving test scores, renovating the high school’s central campus and limiting taxpayer strife were top issues for many of them.

Candidates running for four 4-year terms are incumbent Lou Ann Johnson, recently appointed member Candace Gerritson, James “Jay” Roti, Thomas “Tommy” Hill, Scott Nyssen, Wendy Streit, Paul Lencioni, Michael Deane, Theresa “Tammy” Hayes and Eric Nush.

Those running for two two-year terms are incumbent Ann Lopez-Caneva, Ron Farina, James A. Shake, Michaelene O’Halloran and Lance Thies, who was recently appointed to the board.

Recent successes of school board candidates supported by conservative groups paved the way for 2025 candidates expressing hard line views on taxes, COVID-19 era policies and parental involvement in schools.

Hayes, who did not attend Tuesday’s forum, was previously endorsed by conservative organization We The Parents Illinois in her unsuccessful bid for the Will County District 92 Board in Homer Glen and Lockport.

In her biography submitted to the LTHS 205 Foundation, Hayes said she led an uncensored movement to provide leadership to a team of ordinary citizens looking to have their voices heard, and said “the key to inspiring lifelong learners is the building blocks of our traditional core subjects.”

Roti, the Will County Republican Central Committee vice chairman, told the Daily Southtown in December he was a member of We The Parents last year but said he is running independent of the organization in 2025.

Roti joined Hayes in seeking a seat on the Homer Glen Village Board this year, but both were removed from the ballot due to filing for the school board seats. Under state law, village trustee and school board member are considered incompatible offices, the Homer Glen electoral board ruled.

Roti drew unfavorable comparisons between District 205 and neighboring districts, including Lincoln-Way High School District 210. He said Lockport’s proficiency scores are lower than Lincoln-Way’s despite spending more money per student.

“When you are presented with a budget, we need to do these types of comparisons to make sure that we are spending our money in the right area,” Roti said. “There is a disconnect there. It needs to be looked at and it needs to be changed.”

According to Illinois State Board of Education 2024 data, 37% of District 205 students are proficient in English/language arts and 38% are proficient in math. In New Lenox’s District 210, about 52% are proficient in English/language arts and about 51% are proficient in math. District 205 spends about $18,000 per student while District 210 spends $15,000.

Farina pushed back against Roti’s characterization, saying the differences in achievement are influenced by demographic differences between District 205 and 210. Farina said he has 17 years of experience as a math teacher and wrestling coach at Carl Sandburg High School and is the math and business division chair.

In District 205, 29% of the students are low income, compared to 8% of Lincoln-Way students, according to ISBE data.

“We’re not comparing apples to apples,” Farina said. “I feel the most important thing is how do we support the kids that need the most help?”

Farina also commented on political tensions intersecting with school board governance.

“Society and education have evolved significantly over the years. Political influence in education has created growing division,” Farina said. “My goal is to bridge the gap by advocating for all stakeholders who make decisions that are in the best interest of who’s most important — the students.”

His introduction came after those of Shake and Deane, who expressed their own fears of how school board candidates’ views might negatively affect students. Shake is seeking a 2-year term and Deane seeks a 4-year seat.

Shake said he resents the school board’s handling of COVID-19, calling its shutdown aimed at preventing the virus’ spread an “absolute disgrace.”

:”We have to make our own independent decisions when it comes to our kids and our kids’ education,” Shake said.

Deane said he is concerned about curriculum, and wants to ensure students are taught history that promotes patriotism and American values.

“Right now we have students who come out — they don’t even know what a soldier is. They don’t even know the flag,” Deane said.

Deane, Shake and Roti also said they hope to lower property taxes for homeowners after the south suburbs experienced historical increases.

But several candidates, including Candace Gerritsen, pointed out Lockport 205 has one of the lowest tax rates of 17 area high school districts.

“One initiative would be to have the rate remain without stifling growth, innovation or student success,” Gerritsen said.

She said working to achieve the district’s key goals in curriculum and support services, facilities and finance, climate and culture, human resources, technology and communications would be a top priority if she is elected.

In terms of managing finances, Eric Nush said he works for Homer Elementary District 33c, where he manages a portion of their $60 million budget. He said his approach is to “look and see what do we actually need, what’s necessary for the students and the staff” and that he is “able to justify and explain every single cent.”

The importance of attracting and retaining good teachers amid a national teacher shortage was another priority expressed by many candidates, with the forum moderator asking about collective bargaining techniques.

Lopez-Caneva highlighted her experience in contract negotiation with Lockport 205’s teacher’s union and said her goal is to finalize contracts by the end of the school year to avoid creating extra stress for teachers as they start the school year.

“Throughout the time they are meeting with the union, the board gives direction to the superintendent to negotiate the best contract, while at the same time being fiscally responsible … having the best teachers to bring students success,” she said.

ostevens@chicagotribune.com