Ebony “Nicki” Smith, an over 40-year resident of Bellwood, missed out on attending Proviso High School Township District 209 but hopes to work alongside its board of education to create a district that lives up to what she sees as the greatness of the Proviso community.
Smith was born and raised in Bellwood and graduated from Roosevelt Middle School. However, while her older brothers attended Proviso high schools, one going to East and the other to West, due to her siblings’ negative experiences her parents opted to send her to Walter Christian Academy in Melrose Park.
“That is part of the reason why I am doing this, they didn’t have great experiences at the schools,” Smith said. “The same stuff we [the district] are experiencing now is some of the same things they experienced. The extensive fighting, the curriculum not being as challenging.”
Now, having returned home to put down roots in the very same community she credits for her upbringing, she hopes to put her skills to work in building a school district parents are proud to send their children too.
“I am doing this for my daughter and other students who live in the community,” Smith said. “I am sick and tired of these things being an issue.”
Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Hampton University, a historically Black college, as well as a master’s in public policy from National Louis University.
“I firmly believe that education is the key to success,” she said. “Throughout my life I have seen first-hand how education has played a critical role in my life in helping me achieve my goals and for far too long the school statistics in this area have been alarming.”
Students deserve better, she said.
If elected to the board, Smith’s plan includes implementing better policies for students and administration as well as board members.
“There have been instances where we have a policy but the board members aren’t following the policy so in turn, nobody follows the policy,” Smith said.
Evaluations of current policies, contracts, procedures and programs are also needed, Smith said. If policies and programs are found to be not in the benefit of student achievement and not cost-effective, it needs to be addressed and those funds need to be repurposed accordingly.
This could also help the district steer away from conversations that propose tax increases on residents, she said.
Also on her list of priorities is safety concerns, which she said are often brought up by district families.
As part of the Proviso 209 United slate, Smith said she is confident she will be able to bring decorum and professionalism to the board regardless of who wins the election. A concern she says she hears often from community members is the “disrespect” often on display by certain board members.
“It is not about us, it is about putting students first, putting those needs first and moving the district forward,” Smith said.
That also includes working alongside newly appointed Superintendent Krish Mohip, who she said she believes is doing a great job in his new role.
“I would support him every step of the way, continue to support his efforts but also hold him accountable to the goals set by the school board,” Smith said.
Before casting their ballots in the board of education election, Smith hopes the community knows how strong her commitment and conviction for a strong, quality education for every child, which she plans to harvest alongside her professional skills.
“I also have the background and skill sets to implement better policies, renegotiate contracts and repurpose funds,” Smith said. “I am an active parent and can bring new ideas, fresh perspectives and diversity of thought and I think that is what our board needs. And most importantly professionalism and decorum with a willingness to work with everyone, all the stakeholders. No one person can do this by themselves.”