Illinois Valley Times

Serena Community Unit School District #2 Board of Education candidate James "Jay" Walsh recently discussed his concerns regarding Gov. J.B. Pritzker's (D) donations to local candidates in an interview with the Illinois Valley Times.

"Political rhetoric has been a part of this country as long as it has been in existence," Walsh said. "Do I agree with it? Not exactly. However, those are the facts. That being said, Gov. Pritzker should be able to support whomever he wants, just as you or I have the right to support or not support candidates or politicians, or certain political parties. However, the amount of it that does occur in Illinois is staggering and is a large contributing factor to one of the most corrupt and financially defunct states in our United States. I really hope that it changes here very soon. However, corruption and misguided leadership are like a cancer that infects, spreads, and ultimately extinguishes the host, which unfortunately, in this case, is the good, hardworking people of Illinois."

Walsh, who has three daughters attending school in the district, added that while he had long avoided entering political races for fear of backlash and attacks from opponents, he feels that now is an important time for him to work for the common good which, for him, is the state of the school district and the wellbeing of current and future students.

"Our district is in need of assistance and positive guidance which has been missing for much too long," he said. "Students need to be prepared to be leaders of the future, and not be dependents from the past. Personally, I have experienced a great showing of support from the current school administration, faculty, staff, and the all-around community in general. I really believe that the vast majority of persons in our community are looking for some real positive change, and they believe that people like myself can bring that to the table."

Regardless of his race's outcome, Walsh said that he will continue to support and make positive changes for both the district and the larger community.

"I sincerely hope that I am elected to begin the process of making a difference and turning this district around," he said.

In an Illinois Valley Times article published on Feb. 28, Walsh said that he's running for the board seat because he wants "to make it better for the next generations coming through there and get them better prepared for the next step, whether that be college or trades or whatever, just in life in general.” He added that, while many people have been asking him to run for office for five to ten years, he and his family "were somewhat new to the community and still didn't know a lot of the people."

The Serena Community Unit School District (CUSD) #2 educates more than 600 students across four schools. Other candidates in the April 4 school board race include Joseph H. Cantin, Justin DeBolt, Gary McNelis, and Neal Rosengren.