Thursday, October 1, 2026
Scott Richardson, a lifelong Freeport resident and current Freeport Public Schools school board vice president, hopes to continue passionately serving his community by being re-elected as a board trustee on May 19. Richardson, 55, is one of two incumbent trustee candidates, along with Dina Skeffrey.
Richardson, who works for the Freeport Electric Department as an oiler technician, has been widely involved with Freeport schools. He says he has attended every current Freeport public school, outside of the New Visions Museum School, and the now closed Cleveland Avenue School.
Richardson has co-founded and been the president of the Freeport Red Ravens Sports and Academic Club Incorporated, which he says is the largest 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Freeport. He was elected to serve as a school board trustee in 2023, and says that he’s proud of the work he’s helped contribute on the board so far.
“One thing I’m especially proud of is that we’ve been able to hold the line on taxes while still keeping our schools running the way they should,” Richardson stated. “That’s not easy and we know families are feeling pressure, so we take that seriously. I’m also proud that even with some challenges in district leadership, we’ve stayed steady and made sure the day-to-day operations never skipped a beat.”
Richardson also acknowledges that there is more to be done to strengthen and review policies and procedures that he says have not been properly updated for about 20 years, causing “delays and confusion in how the district runs.” He also hopes, if re-elected, to strengthen what he calls the district’s “academic culture.”
“We believe in our children and we know the parents in Freeport are sending us their very best every single day,” Richardson said. “That means we have a responsibility to give them a high quality education and push them to reach their full potential. …If I am elected to continue serving, I will keep asking the tough questions and pushing us to do better every day because that is what our students and families expect from us.”
Richardson and his current colleagues on the school board have been often critiqued by district employees and parents regarding what has been described as a lack of transparency from the board. While Richardson says he takes those comments and concerns seriously, he believes “this board has been more transparent than any I have ever seen.”
“There are parts of our work that we are not allowed to do in public by law, and that is not our choice,” he explains. “We are working to do a better job helping the community understand that. At the same time, there are groups in our community that are pushing a different story and trying to create doubt about what we are doing. …My focus is to keep doing the work the right way, stay within the law and keep showing up honestly so people can see for themselves how we are leading.”
Richardson expressed that while he has passionately served as the board vice president and finance committee chair, he has no set personal goals of becoming president or vice president again, and will serve in whatever way needed.
When asked about the public feud between the school board and Freeport Teachers Association President Patricia Langan, who in the past has publicly called out Richardson for what she felt was rude behavior and comments made about her during board meetings and town halls, he tied his thoughts on the matter to his desire to improve the district’s academic and professional climate.
“I want to be clear, there is no fractured relationship on my part,” he asserted. “I can disagree strongly and still treat people with respect. If there has been any strain I am always open to fixing that. At the same time, I will not move off the idea that our children come first. My comments (about Langan) were honest and meant to be transparent. The simple point was that we cannot talk about personnel matters in public unless we have permission from the person involved and that is required by law.”
Richardson believes that he provides valuable insight and experience as a board member, and hopes to continue the work he started.
“I know how the work gets done and I stay focused on doing it the right way,” he said. “I am not here for attention or titles. I am here to serve and to help keep this district moving in the right direction for our students and community.”
This is a profile and not an endorsement of any candidates. The Freeport school board trustee’s election and budget confirmation will be on May 19. Freeport residents can register to vote Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Freeport Public Schools administration building.
