This bio is part of Tiger Times Online’s coverage of the 2025 school board election. The election will take place on April 1. For more information, click here.
For a full Q&A with William Duffy, click here.
William Duffy is one of seven candidates running for three seats on District 7’s School Board from inside the largest Edwardsville Township in the 2025 Consolidated Madison County elections.
Duffy has been a substitute teacher in District 7 for over a decade and was also a longtime member of the National Guard. He says he’s gotten to know the students and the teachers in the district and can provide that experience to the board.
“Substitutes see a lot of different things. I’ve got a unique perspective,” he said. “The school board’s perspective is primarily what they’re told, not first-hand experience. My perspective as a substitute teacher gives me first-hand knowledge.”
If elected, Duffy says he wants to “make sure that our communication with the community is very direct, forthright, timely.” Because he’s a parent, taxpayer and neighbor, he says it’s important to listen to all perspectives.
“The way to handle [contention] is just honest, civil, respectful discussion, debate, compromise, finding common ground, keeping in mind our main priorities: an effective, efficient and excellent school district, using our tax dollars effectively, listening to one another,” he said.
His view on changing the school start times and class schedules — which was the most prevalent issue among polled EHS students — is that it should be further reviewed at the middle school level – which is at eight periods – before incorporating it at the high school.
“From my perspective, the six period a day worked fine. Students who want an extra class, they have zero hour,” he said. “The community has to be given why this is a good idea. What is the science? Studies? Experiences of other districts? Catching people off guard because they’re scrolling through Facebook, I’m concerned about that.”
Overall, Duffy said he’s “proud to be a substitute teacher, a member of this community” and that he wants to see District 7’s “excellence continue and grow.”