Three seats on District 87’s school board are up for grabs, with candidates Mark Wylie, Veleda Harvey, Cathy Lust and Courtney Turnbull vying for votes in the April 4 consolidated election.
James Almeda has not sought re-election, leaving three open spots.
The district is accepting applications to fill a fourth vacancy created by Fitzgerald Samedy’s resignation in December. That seat will go to an appointee for a two-year term.
First-time candidates Cathy Lust and Courtney Turnbull are both former employees of District 87. Wylie and Harvey are running to maintain their current seats.
Veleda Harvey
Veleda Harvey is a Bloomington native and District 87 alum. She moved back home from California with her three children -- who attended District 87 schools -- and is currently a paralegal at the law firm of Pioletti, Pioletti & Nichols. Harvey was appointed to the school board in June 2022, filling Tammy Houtzel’s seat. Houtzel resigned after moving out of the district.
“Being on the school board gives me a different perspective on the issues," Harvey said. "I think still being very present as a parent gives me the perspective of knowing what needs to be addressed.”
The positive culture on the school board motivated Harvey to run for another term.
“We work well as a board, as a team," she said. "We have similar vision for our district. Ultimately, we all want the best for our children; no one has an agenda or ulterior motives.”
Cathy Lust
Cathy Lust is a parent, Bloomington High School graduate and retired school psychologist. Most of her career was in District 87.
“I don’t have a specific agenda other than to continue the work that’s being done, making sure that supports are being provided for the students and staff,” she said.
Lust worked as a substitute teacher when students returned to hybrid instruction during the pandemic.
“Since I was in the building, I just saw the care everybody was taking trying to be cautious and just wanting everybody to be safe and feeling good about being in school," she said. "Watching the board navigating all that went along with that, I started wanting to be a part of that group.”
Courtney Turnbull
Courtney Turnbull came to Bloomington-Normal from the Chicago suburbs to attend Illinois State University and decided to stay. She and her husband have three children, one currently enrolled in District 87, and two in college. Turnbull now works in internal event planning and student engagement at Illinois Wesleyan University.
“When I changed positions, I just really felt the need to give back to District 87 and to give back to the community,” she said.
Turnbull is involved with the girls’ tennis team and has volunteered with the Boosters and PTO.
“I love District 87," she said. "I want people to see what a great school district it is and help them continue to be a great school district.”
Mark Wylie
Incumbent board president Mark Wylie has served two consecutive four-year terms. Born and raised in Bloomington, Wylie and his five children attended District 87 schools.
“My parents set the tone for me," he said. "My parents were both very active in the community."
Wylie served on the Boy Scouts of America council, and volunteers for Kiwanis and his church. He served on the facilities committee prior to becoming board president, which oversaw improvements such as adding a fine arts building to Bloomington High School, and upgrading the football field with durable turf for multi-purpose use.
Being a foster parent is partly what inspired Wylie to join the school board.
“Seeing how important education could be for kids who maybe have had it a little bit tougher than our own children woke me up in some ways," he said. "We need people who are willing to serve."
New superintendent
A major accomplishment of the current board has been to select superintendent David Mouser, whose four-year contract was approved in December 2021.
Wylie, as president, oversaw the transition when superintendent Barry Reilly retired after 12 years in that role.
“That sets the tone for the whole district,” he said.
Mouser was already in the district’s top job when Harvey was appointed to the school board.
“He was very patient, very understanding, very sympathetic to me as a new school board member," she said. "I really appreciated that. He always has an open door policy if I have any questions, small or large.”
Recruitment and retention
School districts nationwide face teacher and staff shortages. All candidates listed recruitment and retention as a high priority in the next term.
Turnbull said job satisfaction is the "best advertisement" for District 87 schools.
“We support our teachers, we support our staff, we support our students. I would love for that to be the reputation that District 87 has,” she said, adding the district has work to do toward that goal.
“I have been outside of the school for two years," she said. "I was there during COVID. So, I know teacher job satisfaction. If our faculty and staff feel supported, then that goes a long way. I think that’s where we struggle.”
Wylie said bolstering relationships with area universities will help fill vacancies, while Harvey suggested looking outside McLean County.
“The answer, for me is always thinking outside the box," she said. "What does it look like a teacher to want to migrate to District 87 from southern Illinois, or the Chicago area, or even California? What would a teacher look for if they wanted to find somewhere else where there’s a great community where they can engage with students and make a difference?”
Setting healthy boundaries
Turnbull says student behavior and accountability is a challenge she noticed while working at District 87.
“It's setting healthy boundaries for students but also being sensitive and respectful of the past couple years’ trauma and disrupted learning," she said. "If you have a learning environment that runs smoother, I think that will just benefit everybody.”
Parent engagement
One of Harvey’s goals is to update the school’s curriculum.
“It doesn’t have to still be the curriculum it was 10, 20, even 30 years ago," she said. "Being conscious of the fact that we have to stay within the parameters of a budget. We have to think smarter because we are smaller."
All the candidates believe parents should work with teachers, the board and the administration to stay involved in their children’s educations.
“I believe if anybody wants to look at curriculums, they can do that,” said Lust. “If they make arrangements to observe in classrooms, they can do that – schedule meetings with whoever they need to. I just have always felt like the district was always open to that.”
Wylie encourages parents to go through proper channels and avoid jumping to conclusions about what goes on in the classroom.
“First thing’s first, talk to the teacher about it,” he said. “Look at the book. Do not assume one way or the other what is being taught without doing your own homework. If they happen to have a difference of opinion, that is their right. Work with the teachers, but be respectful, too.”
Early voting is underway. The election is April 4. WGLT will host a candidates' forum on March 22 at the Bone Student Center on Illinois State University's campus.
