Randy Cook’s tenure on the Francis Howell School Board has been marked by a strong conservative agenda, closely aligned with the principles of the Francis Howell Families PAC. Since his election in 2022, Cook has played a pivotal role in the board’s conservative majority, advocating for policies that reflect traditional values and a rejection of what he perceives as politically motivated content in the classroom.

One of the most significant and controversial actions during Cook’s time on the board was the decision to revoke the district’s anti-racism resolution in July 2023. This resolution, originally adopted in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, was seen by Cook and his allies as unnecessary and overly political, leading to its removal despite strong opposition from segments of the community.

Cook was also a driving force behind the board’s December 2023 vote to eliminate elective courses on Black history and Black literature from the district’s high schools. He justified this decision by criticizing the courses for being taught through a “social justice framework,” which he argued promoted activism rather than objective education. Cook made his stance clear, stating, “I do not object to teaching Black history and Black literature; but I do object to teaching Black history and Black literature through a social justice framework.

The decision to cut these courses sparked significant public outcry, leading to protests and heated debates within the community. In response to the backlash, the board eventually reinstated the Black history and literature courses, but only after removing the “Social Justice Standards” that Cook and others had objected to. This compromise allowed the courses to continue but without the elements that the board’s conservative majority found objectionable.

Cook’s efforts on the board have been defined by these and other similar actions, which have positioned him as a polarizing figure within the district. His leadership reflects a broader effort to reshape the educational environment in Francis Howell according to a conservative vision—one that critics argue diminishes the diversity of perspectives and undermines efforts to address systemic issues within the educational system.