Contentious school board race takes center stage at Morton candidate forum

Yahoo

13-03-2025

MORTON, Ill. (WMBD) — Candidates for the Morton Board of Education laid out different visions for the district during a heated 'Meet the Candidates' forum.
Voters heard from candidates running for the Morton Park District, Library Board, and Village Trustee, but the school board race was saved for last, and for good reason.
Incumbents Jerry Rudd and Diane Krall are running as a united front with Wes Ohnesorge, and Krystiana Purty against Ashley Fischer, whom they accuse of being sympathetic to 'woke ideologies'. Lawn signs across town list all four names together, signaling a coordinated effort.
'My goal is to help shape policies that reflect the values of hard work, respect and personal responsibility, values I believe are essential for every child's success,' said Purdy, a homemaker.
'We have a wonderful school district, and we have to keep getting better at the very most important things,' said Krall.
Rudd emphasized parental rights as a key priority. while defending his record.
'I do feel that the school board has done an excellent job making decisions and taking care of our kids, keeping the school district headed in right direction,' said Rudd. 'Some of what we encountered over the past four years are mask mandates, control of curriculum, and most recently, Vision 2030. We want parents to have the freedom to make important choices.'
Fischer raised concerns about unchecked bullying in schools. She wants to implement a mandatory reporting system.
'I'm committed to taking real action to address bullying in the schools and the end culture of retaliation. Our students deserve a safe environment where they can focus on what matters, thriving academically, emotionally and socially,' she said.
But Krall pushed back, saying that's simply not true.
'I disagree with that statement that we have a culture of retaliation in our district. That is a lie. We have a culture of trust,' she said.
Ohnesorge, a facilities manager, wants to create a co-op program to give students more viable career options that don't necessarily require a college degree.
'These trades and skills are very practical. They teach many life lessons along the way. There are many organizations in our community that would benefit from these co-ops as well,' he said.
He will also continue to push for more mental health resources at school.
'The mental of our students has to continue to be a high priority, as we continue to see the anxiety and depression in youth increase at an alarming rate,' said Ohnesorge.
Fischer, a pediatrician, agreed.
'I really believe that my extensive experience in treating all aspects of pediatric mental health, including social and emotional, will be instrumental components in helping the administration address the current mental health crisis,' she said.
The Consolidated Election is April 1.
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