Why is Unit 5 cutting now is a question that is currently being asked in our community. Cities 92.9 caught up with a few candidates for Unit 5 School Board after Saturday’s School Board Candidate Forum and asked them that question. One of the candidates we asked was incumbent Kelly Pyle.
“Because I think it’s part of being fiscally responsible,” Pyle responded. “We know that, that debt is growing and so we have to continue to incrementally make reductions because that debt is going to continue to grow. So yes, we have to continue to make some dents in that structural deficit.”
We also spoke with incumbent Amy Roser who told us, “To cut $12 million in one year would be incredibly drastic and devastating. So if we look at all of the things we have cut so far and the things that Unit 5 has talked about cutting, and take that times two, because we have got to do more, to make all of those cuts in one year would be incredibly drastic. And so the current board has chosen to use a graduated approach that will extend the working cash funds for as long as possible.”
In addition Cities asked challenger Mollie Emery her thoughts on the budget and she said, “I get that this (the referendum) is a very controversial thing. There is a group of voters I feel like, and I’ll talk about (those that have) kids who go to private school, families that don’t even have kids in Unit 5 but live in Unit 5, that reach out that don’t feel the same emotional pull when you talk about cuts and things. So I think that there is a population there that does not want this.”
Emery continued, “Some of the messaging I have seen is well, if you don’t support this you don’t value education. And I think we need to have a way broader look at why people feel this way, why they are voting that way.”
When pressed on whether or not she thought cuts should be made now, Emery responded, “I want to be thoughtful. I think what they are doing is taking the feedback that (Unit 5 Superintendent) Dr. Weikle has gathered and are beginning to make decisions based on that feedback. And I suppose that is where to start.”
The School Board Candidate Forum was a non-partisan event sponsored by the McLean County Republican Party and held at The DoubleTree Hotel and Conference Center. The brunch included a plated breakfast that started at 9:00 and was followed by the program at 9:30. Candidates for area school boards from all areas of the political spectrum attended. Each candidate was given three minutes to speak and then the moderator asked them questions written down and submitted by attendees.
The next election begins this month. This election will present voters with candidates for city and town councils, school boards, and the Unit 5 proposal for a tax increase.
Nationwide Republicans are focused more on school board elections this season than in the past for numerous reasons including Covid-19 restrictions, issues surrounding Critical Race Theory (CRT), issues regarding the National Sex Education Policy and school districts adding Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs.
Candidates that appeared at the forum were;
Unit 5
Amy Roser
Kelly Pyle
Alex Williams
Amee Jada
Steve Mckowiak
Dennis Frank
Brad Wurth
Mark Adams
Mollie Emery
District 87
Cathy Lust
Courtney Turnbull
