Home > About the Caucus
MISSION AND FUNCTIONS
The Lake Bluff School Caucus was established in 1956 by the League of Women Voters and has been helping to provide qualified and dedicated school board members for the past 50 years.
Our mission is described as follows:
- The Lake Bluff School Caucus is a nonpartisan association devoted to nominating the best candidates possible for the school boards of District 65 and District 115. In this way, the Caucus can help to provide the highest-quality school system.
- The Caucus strictly maintains its nonpartisan status and its equal representation of all areas of the school district.
- The Caucus encourages the broadest possible citizen participation in selecting school board candidates and in maintaining its own membership.
- The Caucus continually refines its criteria for quality school board members to reflect current needs of the district.
Our functions are:
- To determine criteria for school board candidates for the Elementary School District 65 and High School District 115 School Boards
- To seek and interview candidates on a nonpartisan basis
- To publicize our candidates through newspaper, brochure, and campaign materials
- To raise funds for Caucus operations
PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES
The Lake Bluff School Caucus is an unincorporated association devoted to obtaining the best public school systems by exercising the greatest care in nominating highly qualified persons of sound and independent judgment for positions on the school boards.
In view of the acknowledged contribution the Caucus has made in the past to the orderly, nonpartisan, and effective nomination of the school board members, it is both an honor and a civic duty to serve on the Caucus.
Members of the Caucus serve as individual citizens, representing the best interests of the school districts as a whole, and do not in any partisan sense act as representatives of any particular geographic area or organization.
It is the policy of the Caucus to actively encourage the broadest citizen participation in its affairs, including the submission of names of possible school board candidates, recommendations for improvement of the Caucus, and other activities.
To merit the respect and support of the community and to encourage individuals of the highest caliber to accept candidacy for the school boards, the Caucus must maintain its complete independence and constantly improve its service.
Although the Caucus system does not preclude the nomination of opposition candidates, it is hoped that faithful adherence to these principles and policies will result in wide community support.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Q: What is the Lake Bluff School Caucus?
A: It is an independent and nonpartisan organization of community volunteers who work as a team to find the best-qualified nominees for election to the school boards of Elementary District 65 and High School District 115.
Q: If only Caucus-nominated candidates appear on the ballot, how can it be a fair election?
A: The key is the careful mix of Caucus delegates and the fact that the Caucus is nonpartisan (not connected to any political party) and unbiased. Caucus delegates must come from all parts of the school district – east, west, north, and south Lake Bluff, as well as north and south Knollwood and the Sanctuary subdivision. They must consider the needs of the whole school district, not just one particular group. They must also consider the mix of people already on the school board – ideally, it should have a balance of people with financial, business, legal, and other backgrounds, and should consist of both users and nonusers of school district services (that is, people with and without children in the schools).
Q: Why use a Caucus system? Why can’t just anyone run for the school board?
A: The benefits of a caucus system are that it uses defined criteria to assess the qualifications of a candidate, spares candidates the need to campaign for themselves, and helps avoid politicization of the school board election. The Caucus functions as a microcosm of the community and takes on the responsibility of choosing the best-qualified candidates. It also ensures that all areas of the community are represented on the school board. And anyone can run – if they are not nominated by the Caucus, there is a process for them to run independently.
Q: What makes a good school board candidate?
A: A good candidate is intelligent and willing to work hard. He or she should be open-minded and not come into the job with one issue that he or she is primarily concerned about. The candidate should be able to discuss issues calmly and rationally even when there is disagreement. He or she must be able to communicate well with other board members and the public.
Q: Who makes up the Caucus?
A: Caucus members, or delegates, are area residents who are registered voters and who represent all geographic areas within the boundaries of School District 65. The Caucus consists of one delegate per 100 households.
Q: How long do delegates serve?
A: Each term is two years.
Q: How can I become a delegate?
A: It’s easy to volunteer. The school district is divided into six caucus areas (see the Caucus map); each area is assigned a certain number of delegate positions based on the number of households in that area. If the area you live in is in need of a delegate, you can be placed on the Caucus right away. Otherwise, you can become a delegate when a position opens at the end of its term.
Q: How many meetings will I have to go to?
A: The Caucus meets every three or four months. If you choose to be an officer or chair a committee, you’ll go to meetings a little more often.
Q: How can I be a good Caucus delegate?
A: Go to all Caucus meetings if at all possible. Be aware of what the school board is doing, what issues they are facing, what important decisions they have made. Go to school board meetings at least a few times a year. This is the best way to learn about how the board works and will be helpful when you have to interview an incumbent for another term. Be open-minded during Caucus discussions, but also be willing to speak your mind. Be willing to help out with Caucus fund-raisers, which are held every two years or so.
Q: How can I get more information?
A: To get information or to volunteer, e-mail the Caucus secretary at secretary@lbschoolcaucus.org.
BYLAWS
Download the Lake Bluff School Caucus Bylaws. 
JOIN US!
Serving on the Caucus gives each volunteer the opportunity to have real input into the makeup of the school boards and to learn more about how the boards operate. The Caucus:
- meets a few times each year
- determines criteria for candidates for the school boards
- solicits and interviews candidates when openings occur
- sponsors occasional fund-raisers to cover the costs of mailings and fliers to inform the public about the candidates and about the Caucus
- maintains its membership to represent all areas of the school district equally
We urge you to support your School Caucus! When you hear of a Caucus fundraiser, participate in it. Or become a delegate of the Caucus yourself. E-mail us at secretary@lbschoolcaucus.org for more information or to volunteer.