Both the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 and the Evanston Township High School District 202 Boards of Education have seats up for grabs in the upcoming election this April. The District 65 and District 202 boards each comprise seven members who serve four-year terms. This year, two incumbents and three challengers are contending for three positions.
Content warning: this article discusses anti-Black hate crimes and hate symbols. A Northwestern sociology professor, a real estate broker and former preschool director, an issues director for the Illinois Federation of Teachers and nine others share a common goal: to step into the most recent vacancy on the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education..
Anya Tanyavutti stepped down as a member of the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 Board of Education at its Monday meeting. The board also swore in Tracy Olasimbo, Family Engagement Coordinator at Evanston Public Library. Olasimbo will replace Marquise Weatherspoon, a former board vice president who resigned in August. Tanyavutti served on the Board of Education.
Marquise Weatherspoon has resigned from the Evanston/Skokie School District 65 board as of Monday. Weatherspoon joined the board in 2021 for a two-year term, filling the vacancy left by Rebeca Mendoza. In April 2022, she was elected vice president, succeeding Elisabeth “Biz” Lindsay-Ryan. While on the board, she co-chaired the Special Education Parent Advisory Council.
No hate crime charges were included following the conclusion of the Evanston Police Department's investigation of three nooses hung at Haven Middle School on May 13.