Lake County Gazette

Lake Forest resident Amy Marsch says if she is elected to the District 115 board, she will put students first.

Marsch has lived in Lake Forest for 15 years. She is a former teacher.

"I was a former teacher in West Lake Forest," Marsch said during the League of Women Voters forum. "After my oldest was born, I went on to teach preschool at First Presbyterian Church Preschool."

Marsch said she is running because she believes there needs to be a representative on this board as a bridge between the two neighboring districts.

"It is time for all of us to work together for the betterment of the kids," Marsch said.

Marsch said as a member of the board, she wants to prioritize the children.

"We all need to work together, put aside our differences and lead by example," Marsch said. "These children are not the same that walked out of that building last March."

Marsch said students need the board's support. She said the school district does not need to spend money to make improvements to help students.

Marsch also said the best way to address the students' social and emotional needs is to listen to them.

"They have a voice, they deserve to be listened to," Marsch said. "Our job is to represent them."

Marsch said the board has a responsibility to the taxpayers of the community.

"I do not believe in raising the property taxes when they are already so high," Marsch said. "I can also tell you that, as an educator, of someone who's been on both sides of the classroom door, you do not need to spend the money to better your children's education."

Marsch said there are a lot of things that can can be done to make the children's education better.

"You need to have transparency so that people know what their options are," Marsch said.