A07, Proviso Insider attacks board member Theresa Kelly [D209]

Proviso Insider has a video (above) attacking Proviso Township High Schools board member Theresa Kelly for extravagant travel as a board member.

While I disagree with the impression left by the video, Proviso Insider deserves credit for using the Internet in an innovative way in a local school board election.

Forest Park Review (Josh Adams) wrote a news story on the larger issue. The article which was based on documents as well as interviews found stuff that looked questionable, but nothing illegal.

To the extent that this kind of spending is a problem, the Forest Park Review article shows that the problem involves staff and various board members.

However, the article doesn't do a very good job of differentiating appropriate from inappropriate spending.

Here's my understanding of the situation:

• "Best practices" calls for board members to attend at least one training per year.
• District 209 board members, including Kelly, attend two or less trainings per year.
• The board of education is supposed to oversee training, including travel expenses.
• Chris Welch raised the issue of Kelly's travel expenses in past elections, but hasn't done anything about as president of the board of education.