Meet Summit Hill D161 Board Of Ed Candidate: John Lettiere

FRANKFORT, IL — John Lettiere is one of eight candidates running for four open positions on the Summit Hill District 161 Board of Education. Lettiere has a Master's degree in Secondary Education and works as a teacher.

Lettiere recently filled out the Patch candidate survey, and his answers can be found below:

If you are a candidate for the April election, and would like to answer our Patch candidate questionnaire, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com.

Name: John Lettiere

Age (as of Election Day): 39

Town/city of residence: Mokena

School district: Summit Hill School District #161

Family: Spouse: Liz Lettiere - 32 - Married for 7 years

Daughter: Evangeline - 7 - Arbury Hills
Daughter: Penelope - 3 - Ivy League Montessori Pre-K

Education: Master of Secondary Education

Occupation: Certified Educator - 11 years

Campaign website: Campaign page can be found here.

Previous or current elected or appointed office: N/A

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The single most pressing issue facing our board is the downward trend in student achievement data.

I intend to research why there has been a pattern of decline in student achievement and form a committee to devise a plan to turn this data around.

I can only speak [for] myself. As a father of two in the district and an educator myself, I can say I am in this for all the right reasons. I want to grow in this capacity to make myself the best father, educator, and community member I can be.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

As it is currently made up, the board has done a disservice to the community with its inability to lead and unify its stakeholders during its most trying times, such as regression in achievement data, teacher contract disputes, and Covid-19. Instead, the board has become a lighting rod for dissention and division, and that is a failure to the students and taxpayers of Summit Hill District #161.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

Other than improving student data and making Summit Hill #161 an attractive community for families to come, other issues that define my campaign platform are transparency and accountability.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My 11 years of classroom experience gives me a lot of insight into the academic issues a board member will face. I have also worked in the private sector as a manager so I understand some of the business side as well.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I am reflective and collaborative - two traits that allow me to build relationships and work constructively with others.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

The accomplishment that would make my term in office a success would be to see student scores and achievement data return to the level it was when I moved into Summit Hill School District #161 eight years ago.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

I have limited experience with fiscal policy, but I can say that transparency needs to be at the forefront when making policy that involves the spending or handling of taxpayer dollars.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

No comment

Do you think the current board has done enough to support racial equality, and if not, what specifically should be done to do so?

I think it is always important to make sure we are addressing ways to support and improve racial equality within schools.

What are your thoughts on the district’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Are you in favor of remote learning, in-person learning or a hybrid of the two? Do you support a mask mandate for students and school staff, or mandatory coronavirus testing for both students and staff?

I thought our district was not aggressive enough getting our schools open, even after data started to come in that students and schools could operate safely as non super-spreaders as they were first feared to be. Most Summit Hill students finished the first semester with only 13 days of in-person learning. I am in favor of people having a choice of how they educate their children; I feel schools need to provide a full, 5-day option in addition to any other learning options that are available. I do support mask mandates because that is an easy ask of most people to help mitigate any spread of germs in common areas. I am neither for nor against mandatory testing, but I have seen districts make testing readily available rather than mandatory, and that has been effective.

When the vaccine is available to them, do you support mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations for students and staff?

I believe people should retain the right to choose whether or not they want to vaccinate themselves against the virus.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

No

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Never stop challenging yourself to be the best you"