WTHS School Board Meeting, July 21 2020

"I kindly implore you to face what Grayslake, Mundelein, many other districts across this state and country have grappled with. Your teachers will tell you, and medical science concur, a return to the classroom will not be or feel safe. You will not improve students’ mental health, engagement, or ability to succeed because they will not be or feel safe"

Blake Thomas: 2021 candidate for Warren Township High School District 121 board

Q. How do you view your role in confronting the pandemic: provide leadership even if unpopular, give a voice to constituents -- even ones with whom you disagree, or defer to state authorities?

A. All three of those, frankly in exactly that order. Leaders must be prepared to make choices in the best interest of the community irrespective of their popularity and, in turn, ultimately accept the consequences of those decisions, which may well mean losing an election. They should certainly be thoughtful and receptive to voices in the community, but must be clear minded in choosing a path for the good of students, teachers and the community rather than their own approval rating.

Most District 121 school board candidates praise pandemic response, plan

"This is as near to the definition of mismanagement that I can cite"

Warren Township D121 voters to decide four board seats, whether to increase limiting rate

"First-time candidate Blake Thomas first started considering joining the school board around 2015, when former District 121 Board of Education member Liz Biondi said she did not want the district to hire a gay superintendent [...] One of his primary issues with how the district is functioning is that the district began to allow students, teachers and staff back into school too early."