Letter to the Editor: Support New Trier Caucus Endorsed School Board Candidates

Letter submitted by Bruce Lyon and Beth Blom.

Dear Editor,

If you have lived in New Trier Township for any significant amount of time or had
children attend the high school, you may know about the New Trier School Board
Caucus. This body has been in existence for almost 60 years. It convenes every
other year for the exclusive purpose of identifying, vetting and endorsing the most
qualified candidates for the New Trier School Board. It is a long-standing tradition in our community and represents one key reason for the success and recognition that our school has received for decades.

The caucus formula for accomplishing its mission is to seek candidates from anyone
in the township, gather information on each potential candidate, extensively interview each candidate and then carefully deliberate as a body about each of the candidate’s strengths and weaknesses. Through this process the caucus has endorsed candidates for New Trier School Board for almost 60 years. The caucus is independent and is above the partisanship or party affiliations of many other groups. Any resident, registered voter is eligible and all six school districts are proportionally represented by its large group of 46 delegates. Names of all the delegates are published ensuring transparency. Similar to a jury, the collective wisdom of 46 community members deliberating using their collective knowledge and experiences produces the highest quality candidates. Any candidate who has been endorsed by the caucus is highly educated on the issues facing New Trier, very balanced and open-minded in their approach, and extremely committed to the success of the school and the community. Insights about caucus candidates are uncovered through the caucus process that could not be discovered elsewhere.

This year, three candidates passed the muster of the New Trier School Board Caucus for endorsement – Lori Goldstein, Tim Scherman and Peter Fischer. These three highly qualified individuals have all the traits of great board members. We believe they can help take our school to the next level. We also know that by presenting themselves to the community during the caucus process, they have demonstrated a willingness to learn from us through our questions, and that they have passed the deepest scrutiny possible of their peers.

Three other candidates are running for the New Trier School board that did not choose to be vetted through the caucus process. We are certain that they are aware of the process as two of them have held office on other caucuses. We do not know why they chose to avoid the caucus. We were not able to ascertain whether they were single issue candidates, candidates with knowledge of the issues facing New Trier or whether they would be open minded in the decision making process.

We were able to learn about the experience, knowledge, balance, independence and
open mindedness of those who came before the caucus. After our vetting process
we have great confidence that Goldstein, Scherman and Fischer will be outstanding
members of the New Trier School Board and encourage you to vote for them on April 5th.

Bruce Lyon
New Trier Caucus Chair
2012-2013

Beth Blom
New Trier Caucus Chair
2010-2011