From Representative Aaron Schock to former Representative and Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, Bradley has a history of fostering successful alumni for the world of politics. While the nation is preparing for next week’s political elections, three current students are taking steps to further their political careers by becoming involved with school boards.
Josh Haywood, District 150 School Board Candidate
Sophomore finance major Josh Haywood said he decided to run for the Peoria District 150 School Board about two months ago.
“I have spent the better part of this year talking with friends and family about the possibility of running for public office,” Haywood said. “Some thought I was crazy, but others see the issues that we are facing and realize we need someone with a passion for the educational system in Peoria.”
Haywood is an alumnus of Peoria Richwoods High School, and he said his experiences there will help him to provide invaluable advice as to what policies are best for students.
“I believe that it doesn’t take a seasoned veteran to make a difference, but simply a willingness to learn and a staunch refusal to give up on my community [where] I have grown up and believe so deeply in,” Haywood said.
According to Haywood, there are some overarching issues that he wants to bring to the attention of the board.
“The major issues that I plan to work on [are] balancing the budget, … [focusing] on safety and discipline concerns … [and investing] in our incredible teaching force that we have in Peoria,” he said.
Haywood said he feels a position on the school board would not be the end to his political career.
“I don’t necessarily see serving on the school board as a career choice for me, but as an opportunity to serve the community while I continue my degree in finance at Bradley,” Haywood said. “Ultimately, I hope to start my own not-for-profit business, as well as start my own venture capital investment firm to help small businesses get started.”
According to Haywood, he has a choice of two seats for him to fill for the upcoming April 7 election. One seat is for a four-year term and the other a five-year term; Haywood is unsure of which he will run for yet.
Jason Blumenthal, District 12 School Board Candidate
Junior political science and economics major Jason Blumenthal ran for the Johnsburg Community Unit School District 12 board in 2013.
“I decided upon graduation from Johnsburg High School it was time to shake up things in my small hometown,” Blumenthal, who serves as Bradley’s Student Body President, said.
While Blumenthal received about 760 votes, he was about 20 votes shy from being elected to the board. He said he plans to run for office again this spring.
“I am only a few years removed from the [high] school system and know how a lot of board decisions impacted the education environment at Johnsburg,” Blumenthal said. “I have the experience of working with more than just the administration, but with the people that do the day to day work. The board doesn’t get to see what the teachers do and foster friendships with the teachers to know how the decisions they make impact their ability to do their job.”
Blumenthal said a major goal of his is to expand Advanced Placement credit options.
“People want their kids to have the best education possible and that should be the main goal of every school,” he said. “I just hope to be a part of that process to succeed in making that goal a reality.”
According to Blumenthal, a main reason he is running for the board is he knew students who complained about issues in high school but would not take action.
“Our generation needs to be the people to change the way the government is, otherwise we will pay for our lack of caring,” Blumenthal said.
Blumenthal said his career goal is to become an attorney or to run a small business.
“[These careers] would be a way for me to give back to the community that raised me to be who I am today and that is the part that matters the most,” Blumenthal said. “I love helping people and I would really hope that being elected to school board could be my first step in helping people in my community.”
William Bessler, District 310 School Board Member
Junior political science major William Bessler was elected to the Limestone Community High School District 310 board in April of 2013.
“I decided to run shortly after graduating high school because I saw problems that needed to be fixed,” Bessler said. “Every problem in public policy is an opportunity to find a workable solution, and I wanted to help find those solutions.”
As a member of the board, Bessler said he has argued policy positions and has been able to make strong pushes for certain policies to help them get passed.
“One of the biggest contributions [I have made] so far has been causing other members to recognize there is a different opinion on some items,” Bessler said.
According to Bessler, policies he hopes to get into place before his tenure include weighted grades for enriched classes, graduation requirement changes and increased eligibility requirements for participating in extra-curricular activities.
“In my opinion, no student should be failing a class and be able to participate in those extra activities,” he said.
Bessler said his advice to those running for a school board is to make every attempt to ensure the evidence they use to support their arguments is accurate, to not be afraid to tackle big issues and to avoid personal attacks that are not related to performance.
“Every campaign will make mistakes, but the key is that you learn from them,” Bessler said.
According to Bessler, he will continue his commitment to public service in the future, which most likely involves running for office again.
“All of us have a stake in the future of our democracy, which means we are better together than we are apart,” he said. “I hope that my leadership will bring solutions to the problems we face as a society and help usher in a new wave of American progress and leadership.”
Students can vote for state and local races Tuesday, Nov. 4 at Westminster Presbyterian Church located at 1504 W. Moss Ave. Students who have registered to vote in Peoria, using their on-campus address, can cast their ballots. For students unsure of their voter registration status or listed address, they can locate their polling place at www.elections.il.gov.
