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Derek Whitener for Collinsville School Board, Collinsville, IL (2026)

04/05/2023

Unfortunately we lost.

Even though I finished last, it is looking like the 4th seat on the board was determined by only 13 votes. Rachel and I want to share a heartfelt thank you to everyone and I wanted to offer a few wondering thoughts before we sign off from the page for a while.

First off, thank you so much to everyone that participated and helped us during the election. Even things as simple as a like or share of a post goes a long way in such tight races and we appreciate every one here getting involved.

I believe that schools are places where everyone, regardless of their spiritual and religious beliefs, their ethical backgrounds, or even just how they are born, can come together and where no one should be left behind. We must always remember that our kids should come first and that an education is the most precious thing that we as a community can give them.

If any of you out there are saddened by this or any other elections that took place, get involved. The very best way to ensure our community thrives and grows is by participating in it.

Thank you all again so so much. Hopefully you’ll be hearing from Ainsley again soon!!

PS: we’ll be trying our best to get to all the signs around town as quickly as possible. Thank you again to everyone that had one in their yards!

04/04/2023

We made it! After months of work and effort, we are finally here!

Don’t let this pass you by. Typically only 1 in 10 people will vote for School Board and if we are going to win, we need as many people as possible to make the time to come vote! County elections allow your voice to be heard by the officials and members of boards that have direct power over things that happen in your community every day. Let them know what you think by casting your ballot!

I want to ask for your vote one last time and as always, whether it be for me or any of the other great candidates, please come out and vote with us TODAY!!

04/03/2023

Ainsley wants everyone to know that tomorrow is Election Day!

Decisions are made by those that show up so we are asking you to come out with us tomorrow. This is far too important of an election to be decided without your vote!

Here is a list of everything that we have talked about.

#1: It’s not too late to do your research. Check out who is running on your “specimen” ballot. You can even bring it with you to the ballot box as a reminder.
https://apps.co.madison.il.us/CountyClerk/Elections/VoterServices/

#2: You can register at the polls if you aren’t already. All you need is your license with your correct address and a credit/debit card.

#3: Find your polling place online. Enter your information into the link and it’ll tell you where.
https://ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookup.aspx

School Board elections are incredibly close and every vote is meaningful. Make yours count and come vote with us tomorrow!

04/02/2023

There’s always great ways to support the school district! Tonight we’re at the the Renfro RPASO Glo Bingo night. Once a Raptor, always a Raptor!!

03/31/2023

Did you forget to register? That’s okay! In Illinois, you can register and vote SAME DAY at your polling place on Election Day. All you need is your license and a credit or debit card.

Don’t let Election Day sneak up on you. Instead, make a plan to vote this upcoming Tuesday. Take some time this weekend to decide who you are going to vote for, find your polling place, and figure out the best time to go.

We need everyone if we are going to win! Every vote absolutely counts in this election and we are hoping to see all of you there. Be a friend, tell a friend and share the info!

https://ova.elections.il.gov/PollingPlaceLookupResult.aspx

03/28/2023

Your vote counts this election more than ever!

Did you know that roughly only 1 in 10 people vote for School Board? Of the over 30,000 registered voters in the CUSD district, in 2021 only 4,210 votes were cast and an even lower 2,857 votes in 2019!

We’re one week out from Election Day and I’m asking everyone to please tell your friends, families, neighbors, and anyone else with the time to listen that local elections are incredibly important. With so few votes, every person counts and only a handful of voters will decide this election!

Your vote is one of the most important things you can give to someone and I am asking for yours. I believe that the education of our students should be our top most priority and if you do too, please come vote with us on April 4th!

03/24/2023

Hi everyone!

Rachel, Ainsley, and I wanted to say thank you to everyone that has been involved so far in our campaign. Whether it be volunteering to post a sign, reaching out with kind words of encouragement, or even just coming up and talking to us when you see us around town. We’ve been blown away with the support we have received and can’t say thank you enough!

I didn’t get into this for political reasons or because I thought the district was broken. I have wanted to run for the board ever since I was in school. I remember my senior year when my teachers and friends rallied together to get out the vote and wanting to help any way I could. I loved my time in school and it gave me opportunities that I didn’t appreciate at the time but now that I have a daughter, I can only hope for those same opportunities for her.

I am running for the kids that I meet when I go to see my wife or my mom at the grade schools in the district. I run for the friends I have in the community that are like me and have started putting down roots. I am running for my daughter and hope that she gets the same chances and opportunities I was given when going to school here. I want to help the district grow and continue to evolve with the times to best educate and support the proud, diverse community of students that I believe we are lucky to have.

We’re less than two weeks away from the election and some ballots have already been cast. All I can ask is if you are someone like me, someone who thinks that the district isn’t broken but just hopes for something more and better for our kids, grandkids, families, neighbors, and friends, please share the word. Share our info and page to those who aren’t sure who is running or when you are asked who to vote for that shares their ideals. I am always open for questions and concerns, no matter the topic. Thank you so much for being here, thank you for any and all the support you have given, and don’t forget to come vote with us Tuesday April 4th!

03/21/2023

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about who is on the ballot. We want to encourage everyone to check out their “specimen” ballot online at the Madison County Clerk’s website. All you need is your name and birthday! You’ll see what elections are happening in your area, the candidates running, and you can even print it out and bring it with you to the ballot box as a reminder of who you would like to vote for.

Print your ballot, do some research, and talk to your family and friends! It’s so easy even Ainsley can do it! And don’t forget to come vote with us on Tuesday April 4th.

https://apps.co.madison.il.us/CountyClerk/Elections/VoterServices/

03/15/2023

Register to vote before the April 4th election! You can do it online at the link below and all you need is your ID and the last four of your social. You’ll be registered and be sent your card with your precinct info.

03/11/2023

Our magnets are in and we’re ready to pass them out! If you see us around town, come ask for one!

Also Ainsley wanted to tell you to come out and vote with us on April 4th!

03/07/2023

Meet Derek!

As our postcards are being delivered, I want to introduce myself to those who may not know me or my family and share some of my hopes and goals.

I believe as a community we should strive to help students become the best versions of themselves. Our kids deserve the best education and support that we can provide and that starts with the quality of our schools.

Today I believe there are too many opinions and fears of what is happening in our classrooms and not enough concern to the issues students actually face. Our students are getting further and further behind as we push forward since Covid and we need a plan to bring them back to standards we would be proud of.

Our school buildings in some cases are in need of repairs and updates to allow educators to teach students in this century. We should be competing with other districts for the best teachers and resources and I believe we already posses the means to tackle most of these issues.

This is more than the classes we teach but also the services we provide. We are lucky to have the Vocational Center and should not only work to improve our weaknesses but push to expand our strengths. Our students deserve to have every opportunity available to them, such as education in trades and careers beyond high school.

I believe these things as someone who was raised, went to school, and growing his family here (Go Kahoks!). I grew up in a union household, married into a union family, and am proudly a husband to a union educator in the district. I believe having the best teachers is paramount in educating our students. I want what is best not only for my own daughter but every child in our community.

I was taught by the public schools here in Collinsville and lucky enough to attend and graduate from SIUE after. I am a Financial Analyst at the USS steel mill in Granite City. I want to give back as much as this town and community has given to me and my family.

Thank you to all who are maybe just visiting the page to learn more and to everyone who is helping to pass this along. Be a friend, tell a friend! I’m always up for a question, concern, or even a different opinion. All I ask is whether it be for me, or any of the other great candidates running for School Board, come out with us on April 4th and vote!

03/05/2023

Did anyone happen to see our newest sign?

Derek Whitener for Collinsville School Board

04/05/2023

04/04/2023

04/03/2023

04/02/2023

03/31/2023

03/28/2023

03/24/2023

03/21/2023

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03/07/2023

03/05/2023

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