Candidate for 2 year Board Member
EDITOR'S NOTE:
Ms West was the only candidate who submitted her resume and letter of interest for appointment to replace former Board Secretary Melvin Stevenson who resigned in November, 2014. Board members Jimo Kasali, Deloris Green and Mary Howard blocked her for consideration, and in violation of established Board policy refused her a proper interview. Since the Board did not appoint a replacement candidate in the time allowed by law, the appointment went to Vanessa Kinder the Executive Director of South Cook Regional Education. As a result Ms West was passed over in favor of former Board Member Maxine Towers, wife of the former Mayor Lewis Towers. Towers was officially appointed in January.
Latonya West and her husband Vernon moved the family to Sauk Village in 2006. They have six children with two former graduates and two currently attending Rickover Jr. High School. Latonya has been an advocate for Sauk Village advancement since 2006. She has actively participated throughout the community on initiatives directly affecting education, growth and the well-being of Sauk Village residents.
Latonya
graduated from Governors State University with a Bachelor Degree in Social Work
and a Master’s Degree in Health Science with emphases in Addiction Studies,
Behavioral Health, Child Welfare and Community Program Design. While employed at Kennedy King College she
assisted with the advisement of students, providing
financial aid counseling and support to students
experiencing family, personal and economic crises. Latonya has over
ten years of experience in financial planning, management, implementing
learning and social skill development.
Latonya
has been involved in numerous educational and community driven projects
including Sauk Village Business Revenue initiative and the petition drive to
place the Lake Michigan Water initiative on the ballot. She has also worked on
Mayoral, State Representative and federal electoral campaigns. Latonya
continues to collaborate with teachers regarding
the educational needs of our children and to stay updated on things that can
improve the educational experiences of students attending district 168.
Latonya
is focused on enhancing student’s academic achievement and increasing district
168 yearly student progress specifications for testing to receive full federal
educational opportunities. Working
towards raising the academic levels of all students, obtaining more funding for
after school programs, endorsing a stronger curriculum implementation plan and
increasing parental involvement in educational affairs in order to get our
students on the academic level needed to exceed new state standards.
“It is so
important that our students exceed state assessment expectation levels during
Jr. High especially coming out of 8th grade. Students need to be better prepared to take
the SAT/ACT exams. High SAT/ACT scores
is the key to getting into good colleges. If elected I will work hard and
diligently to do all that I can within board policy, state and federal laws to
assist board members in achieving academic goals and success for all students.
Building on the diversity of our children the soon to be leaders with
additional programs that will enhance both the competitive and creativity
levels of our students. I will also dedicate
my term to bridging the gap between the community and education. It is so
important that our voices be heard and our children’s achievements receive
recognition. A Good Education is Priceless! Be
a part of the decision making and support the best interest of the children.”
Latonya is currently seeking election to the
position of School Board Member (2 year
Term) for Community Consolidated School District 168 at the Election on April
7 2015. “Vote for
Latonya West” Punch # 101
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ReplyDeleteSounds like she has a well designed plan to address the needs of our children.
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