North Cook News

Nicole Grimes admits her run for the Stevenson High School District 125 board has not been easy.

“I can tell you the unions have been very involved in the process,” Grimes told the North Cook News about all the harassment that has reportedly come her way since she launched her campaign as one of six candidates vying for three seats.

“They held interviews, which is kind of a conflict of interest because their contracts are approved by the board and clearly that’s a conflict to be endorsing anybody,” Grimes said. “I would say that’s certainly a conflict of interest.”

Stevenson High School District 125 board elections are this week. | Stock Photo

Still, none of that has been enough for Grimes to take her eyes off of what she sees as the prize.

“I am running because the SHS board is urgently in need of fresh and diverse perspectives,” she told the Daily Herald. “All students and taxpayers will benefit from the free exchange of new ideas. For years it has felt as though Stevenson operates as its own independent entity with little input from stakeholders. Then, amid its largest crisis ever, the board would not engage its stakeholders nor gather input while almost every other peer high school spent their summer engaging their communities to develop pandemic response solutions.”

To date, Grimes said she would give school board members no higher than a grade of B- for the way they have handled the COVID-19 crisis, arguing they have been slow to respond to the needs of the students.

“They failed to start planning from the beginning and have been playing catch-up ever since,” Grimes said. “Starting in the summer, community members requested on countless occasions to have visibility and input into the decision-making process but we were denied at every turn.”

Grimes said she believes having all her children come up in District 125, including one still attending, gives her a unique experience not all others can relate to.

“I believe this experience qualifies me to be a voice for our community,” Grimes said. “If elected, I will work to ensure the board operates as it should, with transparency and as true representatives that serve in trust for the community.”

An accountant by trade, the 49-year Grimes resides in Lincolnshire with her family.