2025 Election: DeKalb School District 428 Board

Voters elected four newcomers to the DeKalb school board, including three to serve full terms. Nicholas Atwood, Jose Jaques and Kristin Bailey were the top vote-getters, earning seats if unofficial election results hold.

Voters this week in DeKalb County determined who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries. See the results here.

This spring, DeKalb County voters get to decide who will make the important decisions regarding their communities, schools, townships, fire departments, parks and libraries.

School board virtual forum Part 2: Three of 10 DeKalb School District 428 board hopefuls vying for three full terms recently shared their platforms with Shaw Local News Network. Read more here

Letters to the Editor for the Daily Chronicle: Vote Erin Grych for DeKalb School District 428 Board

Erin Grych on top issues facing the DeKalb school district: Potential loss of federal funding and lawsuits if not compliant in getting rid of DEI, Supporting Title IX, and ending radical sexualization of our children

Should students be able to use AI in schoolwork? Twangie Smith: Our students are expected to complete their required school assignments using the skill and knowledge they are gaining. Those skills and their competence must be shown/proven

Video: Seven of 10 candidates seeking three full-term seats on the DeKalb School District 428 school board recently spoke with Daily Chronicle news staff about their campaigns and top issues facing the district. Watch the full forum here.

Election: While the majority of candidates voiced strong support for programming and initiatives centered around diversity, equity and inclusion, one DeKalb School District 428 board hopeful said she’s concerned about potential lost federal funding. Read more:

Listen: DeKalb School District 428 candidates vying for three open full-term seats on the board debate the issues ahead of the April 1 election. Seven of the 10 candidates were present for the candidate forum

Derek Shaw: We have to pay teachers more and recruit more paraeducators to assist in the classroom milieu.

Brandon Elion on if students should be able to use AI in their schoolwork: AI should be used as an assisted resource, not a main one. Students should still be required to cite sources for fact checking

Howard Solomon: Because of the foresight of previous boards, District 428 has a dual language program. I suggest that graduates of that program be given job offers as classroom assistants immediately on graduation

The budget currently allocates funds for capital outlay projects, which would include maintenance and repairs to existing facilities. To the extent possible, I believe the Board should proceed incrementally in identifying and prioritizing needed repairs and facility upgrades.

Jose Jaques: I believe the top three issues the district faces are classroom size, student behavior and discipline and fiscal transparency.