CHICAGO – The Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) has presented Chris Lowe of Batavia School District 101 with the 2023 Thomas Lay Burroughs Award, recognizing him as Illinois' outstanding school board member. Lowe served for eight years as Batavia District 101 School Board's first-ever Black member and championed inclusivity, community engagement, and courageous dialogue to identify and work to close student achievement gaps.
The Burroughs Award, instituted by ISBE in 1991 in memory of the late ISBE Chair Thomas Lay Burroughs, commends outstanding local leadership. The award recognizes school board members from around the state who demonstrate achievements, such as enhancing student learning, narrowing achievement gaps, promoting educational excellence, broadening educational opportunities for underserved students, and successfully addressing crises or major challenges resulting in more equitable outcomes for students. ISBE Board Chair Dr. Steven Isoye presented Lowe with the award Sunday at the
2023 Joint Annual Conference (also known as Triple I), hosted by the Illinois Association of School Boards, Illinois Association of School Business Officials, and Illinois Association of School Administrators in Chicago.
“Great school leaders can claim that they left their school community a better place than they found it, but only the best can say that they empowered those around them to continue that work for generations to come. Chris Lowe is one of the best," said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Tony Sanders. “Chris Lowe's unwavering leadership and collaborative pursuit of equity have had a deep, measurable impact on the Batavia community and serve as an inspiration to all school leaders around Illinois."
“Before this award, Chris Lowe was already known for his extraordinary local school board leadership. Chris Lowe has made a huge impact on Batavia School District 101," said Dr. Isoye. “School board members volunteer countless unpaid hours to their school communities and play a vital role in supporting and guiding the superintendents, administrators, teachers, and staff in their districts. Mr. Lowe was selected for this award because he has modeled inclusive, collaborative leadership and been a champion for equity."
Amber Jirsa, the 2023 North Suburbs Regional Teacher of the Year from Batavia High School, nominated Lowe for the Burroughs Award. In her nomination, Jirsa detailed his efforts to cultivate a sense of belonging for everyone in the school community. Together, Jirsa and Lowe established teacher, student, and community committees focused on equity to guide and support the district's efforts to create a more inclusive environment.
In his time on the board, Lowe co-founded the Batavia Community Diversity Initiative (BCDI) and expanded access to anti-racist educational materials via the BCDI's Freedom Library. Lowe partnered with the Batavia Historical Society and Batavia Depot Museum to celebrate Black History and to amplify and grow an exhibit, “Community, Culture and Conversations: African American Heritage in Batavia," which empowers Black students and community members to connect with their rich heritage. Lowe secured grant funding to support education initiatives; start healing dialogues and community engagement efforts pertaining to racial equity and social justice, including Community Conversations; and hold monthly meetings to address critical topics, such as political participation and achievement gaps within the community.
“The impact of Chris's efforts is undeniable," said Jirsa. “These achievements stand as testament to Chris's dedication to creating equitable outcomes for our students. His determination in the face of challenges demonstrates his resilience and unwavering commitment to the cause. Chris Lowe's leadership has been transformative for our community. His ability to inspire change, facilitate dialogue, and create pathways for equitable outcomes is unparalleled. I attribute so much of my success to Chris's guidance and support. Every school board needs a Chris Lowe."
Lowe served on the school board for eight years. Since his term concluded in April 2023, three additional members of color have joined the board and the district has hired its first superintendent of color.
District 101, located in Batavia, serves about 5,200 students, with 23 percent identifying as students of color and 17 percent qualifying as low-income.
