Kankakee County to see contested school board races

Editor’s Note: Questionnaires featuring the candidates in contested school board races will be published before the election.

With several contested school board races on the ballot, Kankakee County will almost certainly see some new faces making decisions on local educational matters following the April 1 consolidated election.

Of the many school boards with seats up for election, five will feature contested races.

KANKAKEE

In Kankakee School District 111, seven candidates will be vying for four seats.

Incumbents Jess C. Gathing Jr., Darrell Williams and Tracy Verret are seeking re-election. Challengers for the seat include Susan Lopez, Dajon Casiel, Reginald Bell and Kathy Yancy Smith.

An unexpired two-year term will also be up for grabs for a write-in candidate. This board seat race came about as a result of the recent death of board member Deb Johnston.

Paperwork to run as a write-in candidate is due to the Kankakee County Clerk’s office by the end of January.

ST. ANNE

In St. Anne Unit District 24, which in its first year as a school district, three candidates will be vying for one four-year term.

Candidates include incumbent Louie Farber and challengers Samanthia Baines and Mark A. Hodge.

A candidate is also sought to fill an unexpired two-year term, though no names were filed to appear on the ballot.

St. Anne previously had two separate districts and boards for its elementary school and high school.

Voters approved a consolidation which began in the current 2024-25 school year.

BOURBONNAIS

In Bourbonnais Elementary School District 53, six candidates will be vying for four seats.

Candidates seeking a four-year term include four incumbents: Stephan Moulton, Erika Young, Besty Keller and Jamie Freedlund, and two challengers: Kevin Haberzetle and Fredda Rodewald.

BBCHS

Bradley-Bourbonnais Community High School District 307 will see its fair share of competition, as six candidates will be vying for three open seats.

Candidates seeking a four-year term include three incumbents: Jim Patterson, Ann L. Brezinski and Sally Martell, and three challengers: Chris Borchardt, Mark Parson and David Schumer.

MANTENO

In Manteno Community Unit School District 5, three candidates are vying for two open seats.

Incumbents Jim Hanley and Joshua Stauffenberg are seeking re-election while challenger Mary C. Crow will be seeking election to a four-year term on the board.

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