In 2005, some of the most prominent elected officials from the Bloomington-Normal area went to the head of the class during American Education Week, which began Nov. 13.

Area Politicians Head Back to School for American Education Week

Bloomington-Normal area elected officials are turning their attention to public education, heading back to school during American Education Week, which begins November 12.

This year’s American Education Week theme is “Great Public Schools: A Basic Right and Our Responsibility,” according to Vickie Mahrt, president of the Unit Five Education Association (UFEA).

Participating politicians include Bloomington city council members, Mayor Steve Stockton, aldermen Mike Matejka, Jim Finnegan, Karen Schmidt and John Hanson; Normal Councilmen Jason Chambers, Jeff Fritzen, Parker Lawlis and Sonja Reece; State Senator Bill Brady and State Representatives Dan Brady and Keith Sommer. The office holders will teach students in Unit 5 classrooms as part of the annual celebration of public education.

“I’m a strong supporter of public education. We need to step up and ensure it’s funded adequately and we need to support all those who work in public education,” said Rep. Dan Brady

“Public education has been the leading force in our country’s emergence as an international leader,” said Senator Bill Brady.

According to Mahrt, the district’s biggest challenge is increasing enrollment which has made providing students with adequate facilities and programs a constant struggle.

“Only one municipality in our district has implemented impact fees to help provide classroom space for students living in new residential developments. To make informed decisions, office-holders need to experience, first-hand, the conditions in our schools,” Mahrt said.

“We want to build strong connections between these community leaders and the children and adults who teach and learn in our schools. Because our elected officials make decisions that affect public education, they have real power to make a positive difference in the lives of teachers and students,” she added.

2006 SCHEDULE

Monday
Sonja Reece (at Prairieland with Nate Ford)
Keith Sommer (at Towanda with Jason Nourie and KJHS with Dawn O'Dell)

Tuesday
Steve Stockton (t PJHS with Beth Topping)
Jeff Fritzen (at Grove with Margaret Watson)
John Puzauskas (at Fairview with Henry Walker)

Wednesday
Jay Reece (at Hoose with Karrah Jensen)
Jason Chambers (at Oakdale with Kathy Fitzgerald)

Thursday
Scott Lay (at KJHS with Mary Watterson)
Marty O'Connor (at PJHS)
John Hanson (at Brigham with Anne Bare)

Friday
Mike Matejka (at NCWHS with Toni Berardi)
Sen Bill Brady (at NCHS with Jason Drengwitz)
Steven Purcell (at PJHS with Dave McMorris)
Rep Dan Brady (at Northpoint with Chad Jennings)

2006 PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE:

State Senator Bill Brady
State Representative Keith Sommer
State Representative Dan Brady
Bloomington Mayor Steve Stockton
Bloomington Alderman John Hanson
Bloomington Alderman Steven Purcell
Bloomington Alderman Mike Matejka
Normal Councilwoman Sonja Reece
Normal Councilman Jeff Fritzen
Unit 5 Board member John Puzauskas
Unit 5 Board member Jay Reece
Unit 5 Board member Scott Lay
Unit 5 Board member Marty O'Connor