The Lane Local School Council (LSC) election results were released yesterday, as ten incumbents won reelection and two challengers won seats. The Warrior reached out to all candidates for comment; here’s what some of them had to say.

PARENTS

In the race with the most crowded field (eight candidates running for six positions), one challenger, Catherine Ashlaw-Doherty, was able to win a spot, and five of the incumbents won the other spots.

“I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve the Lane Tech High School community in the elected role of Parent Representative,” Ashlaw-Doherty said via email.

Ashlaw-Doherty won the sixth and final spot by five votes over incumbent Matthew Beaudet. Beaudet told The Warrior via email that “it has been an honor to serve.”  

Challenger Claudia Muniz also fell short of a spot on the LSC. She did not have a statement.

Other than Ashlaw-Doherty, the parent representatives on the LSC will look similar to the current term, with five of the incumbents — Benjamin Wong, Emily Haite, Laura Symons, Anne Lokken and Patricia O’Keefe — winning reelection.

“I want to thank everyone who took the time to vote in this unusual election year, with a special shoutout to the community members who were required to physically go to Lane to cast their votes,” Wong said via email. “I am humbled to be able to serve another two years and thankful that the school community has confidence in me to serve the school.  I want to say how much I enjoyed working beside Matthew Beaudet for the past four years.  He was a great asset to the council and will be missed.  I also look forward to working with our newest Parent Rep, Catherine Ashlaw-Doherty. 

“We have had a very eventful four-plus years during my tenure and I know there have been many people who did not agree with every decision or policy we made as a council,” Wong continued. He won reelection with 328 votes, more than any other candidate. “However, what we do is for the best interest of the school and I do not take this position lightly. I look forward to continue the momentum we have built over the past four years while I have been a member of the LSC.” 

Lokken and O’Keefe are also looking forward to continuing their tenures on the LSC.

“I am honored and excited to serve another term on the Lane LSC,” Lokken said via email. “I am looking forward to working with the newly elected and reelected LSC members, parents and administration as we navigate this unusual school year.”

“Thank you to all who voted,” O’Keefe said via email. “I am grateful to serve again as a parent representative on the Lane LSC.   l will continue to ardently listen to all sides of an issue and represent the voice of the parents.”

COMMUNITY MEMBERS

The community member race had two candidates running for two spots, meaning both candidates won reelection. The two incumbents — Maureen George and Ana Borja-Scales — were the two candidates.

“I am honored to be able to continue to be an active participant within the Lane Community,” George said via email. “I look forward to another two years of working with this group.” 

Borja-Scales also was thankful to be reelected.

“I am truly humbled,” Borja-Scales said via email. “These are times of change with deep respect to the past that brought us to where we are today. Dialog is key to bridging gaps. Collectively, Lane Tech students, parents, teachers, admin, staff, alumni and community can serve as a beacon of hope, wisdom and empathy. We’ll forge ahead with zeal!”

STAFF MEMBERS

The three staff positions —  two teachers and one non-teacher staff member — all were uncontested. Although the CPS Board of Education will have to officially appoint the members, only the incumbents ran for these positions.

Both of the teacher candidates — Katharine Gomez and Daniel Law — said they are looking forward to continuing to represent the school.

“I’m grateful to everyone who voted and look forward to representing the interests of our teachers and students!” Gomez said via email.

“Thank you to everyone who voted,” Law said via email. “I will continue to do my best and represent the teachers and students of Lane as well as I can.” 

Dannixa Velez won reelection for the one non-teacher staff representative position.

“I am humbled for the opportunity to continue on as a staff elected LSC member,” Velez said. “Thank you to all that voted for me.  I will continue to listen and be the voice for my colleagues.  I am gracious for another opportunity to help build and excel our school to excellence.”

STUDENTS

The other challenger to win election this cycle was Eric Garica. The most surprising part? Garcia, who had applied to be a candidate when the elections were originally supposed to be held in the spring, was not even planning to still run. But his name wasn’t taken off the ballot and he won by one vote over incumbent William Cashman.

“Although this was unexpected I will do all I can to help the students and fulfill my role I am now in,” Garcia told The Warrior via email. “If there is anything I can do to help you as my fellow students please let me know and I will work hard to see it through.”

Cashman, who was looking to win reelection in his senior year, provided a statement to The Warrior via email.

“I just want to express my congratulations for the new student representative,” Cashman said. “I hope that through this office we can continue to encourage student participation in school affairs.”

The CPS Board of Education needs to officially appoint this position.

The new LSC’s term will run from Jan. 11, 2021 through June 30, 2022. Lane LSC Coordinator Miriam Santana said she believes, but is not 100% sure, that the student representative will serve longer than the usual one-year term.