Why Suburban School Board Races Were Hotly Contested In 2021 Municipal Elections

Unlike most years, suburban school board races were heated and packed with newcomers in Tuesday’s elections.

By Stephanie Kim
Why Suburban School Board Races Were Hotly Contested In 2021 Municipal Elections
In this Friday, March 13, 2020, file photo, a man votes during early voting in Cleveland. Voters in the Chicago suburbs headed to the polls Tuesday, April 6, 2021, to cast their ballot in municipal elections. Tony Dejak / AP Photo
Why Suburban School Board Races Were Hotly Contested In 2021 Municipal Elections
In this Friday, March 13, 2020, file photo, a man votes during early voting in Cleveland. Voters in the Chicago suburbs headed to the polls Tuesday, April 6, 2021, to cast their ballot in municipal elections. Tony Dejak / AP Photo

Why Suburban School Board Races Were Hotly Contested In 2021 Municipal Elections

Unlike most years, suburban school board races were heated and packed with newcomers in Tuesday’s elections.

By Stephanie Kim
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School board races aren’t partisan and typically aren’t hotly contested. But this year, the COVID-19 pandemic made reopening schools a top campaign issue for candidates vying for a seat on school boards in the Chicago suburbs and beyond.

Reset takes a closer look at these heated races in Tuesday’s municipal elections and why school board positions are important in the broader education landscape.

GUEST: Karen Ann Cullotta, Chicago Tribune reporter