MARCH 8, 2023
Vol. VII No. 10
vfpress.news
Vocational charter school proposed for Proviso Claudia Medina, D209 board member seeking reelection, pushes plan
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By AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ Staff Reporter
In the middle of a run for re-election to District 209’s school board, Claudia Medina is endorsing the creation a charter high school in hopes of elevating the public education system through healthy competition. “I want to be part of the rebuilding of the district,” Medina said. “How do we make sure that happens? If there is competition, there is accountability.” Medina said she was approached last fall by Patrick Degnan, a native of Chicago and current Oak Park resident. Degnan began his involvement in charter schools in 2001. He has served on the board of six schools, including Chicago International Charter School’s Northtown Academy and St. Basil, Christ the King Jesuit College Prep, and The Montessori School of Englewood. To move ahead the $40 million proposal would need four votes from the Proviso Township High School District 209 Board of Education, along with filling out a charter application, and holding a town meeting before a location could be scouted. If approved, Degnan said the group would purchase a facility in Proviso Township and work to open in August 2024. Opposition from D209 board president Arbdella See CHARTER on page 8
SARA JANZ
Otis Monroe speaking at Village of Broadview Town hall during “RapSheet Day” on March 4.
Over 50 years, Otis Monroe works to empower Black-led transformation Founder of Monroe Foundation fosters Black-led movements By FRANCIA GARCIA HERNANDEZ Staff Reporter
Several dozen people listened to community organizer Otis Monroe explain the relief options available for
individuals with a conviction or arrest record at an information session Saturday held at the Village of Broadview Chambers. It is one of many initiatives by The Monroe Foundation, a not-forprofit organization he founded 32 years ago to support Black movements. “We believe Black movements should be transformative and when a movement is transformative you can see it, you can hear it, you can feel it,” Mon-
roe said in an interview. “And people begin to believe that there’s hope for change…” At Saturday’s event, residents from Maywood, Hillside, Broadview, Melrose Park and Bellwood with a conviction or arrest record received legal counseling to identify whether their records qualify to be sealed, expunged or to seek another relief option. It is an important See MONROE on page 4