Editor’s note: Glenbard District 87 is comprised of four high schools: Glenbard East (Lombard), Glenbard North (Carol Stream), Glenbard South (Glen Ellyn) and Glenbard West (Glen Ellyn).
Here are the candidate profiles. Margaret DeLaRosa and Jennifer Jendras (vote for 1) are running to serve an unexpired 2-year term on the board. The remainder of the candidates (9 total, vote for 3, listed in alphabetical order) are running to serve a full 4-year term. Attempts by The Lombardian to reach candidates Muhammad Islam Choudhary, Keyanna Kincade and Monika Moro were unsuccessful. The Lombardian will not be endorsing candidates in this race, or any of the other races in the April 4 election.
2-year term candidates
Margaret DeLaRosa
Office sought: District 87 school board member, 2-year term
Family: Married, with three adult children, all Glenbard alums
Occupation: HRIS Analyst
Education: BS Accounting, DePaul University
Community or civic involvement:
Current President, Glenbard High School District 87 Board
Committee Chair, Glenbard High School District 87 Finance Committee
Committee member, Glenbard High School District 87 Student Performance & Achievement Committee
Past PTA President
Past League of Women Voter President
Indivisible DuPage Leadership Team
Awards received (either professional or community related): Community Action Award, League of Women Voters Glen Ellyn
Previous elected offices held:
Glenbard District 87, member Board of Education 2015-2019; 2019-2023
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 87 Board of Education?
I am running to see through the changes of the new school day and to continue the good work on behalf of students.
In the past six months we have lost two board members. I want to remain on the board to give our new appointed members time to learn the business of the district, and share our focus in bringing more opportunities for students to find and fulfill their potential.
What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?
The major challenge of next two years, will be the change of the school day. The Glenbard Hour (2023-24) offers time in the school day for learning support and enrichment. Teacher meetings move to Tuesdays allowing more meeting time to improve teachers’ instructional practices. Year 2, we will start the day 30 minutes later and have two days with longer class periods, giving students more sleep time, and deeper learning. We will meet these challenges by being prepared, anticipating change discomfort, while being available for students and parents’ feedback. We will listen, adjust, and track the outcomes of this change.
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?
Glenbard continues to meets the board’s goals of a balanced budget, with no short-term borrowing to meet operational expense. Glenbard has received state level recognition for its financial management for the past 13 years. Balancing spending, while maintaining a competitive education for our communities’ students is an on-going goal of our board. Glenbard’s budget is built on the basis of student enrollment. This means our teaching staff levels move with enrollment. Glenbard benchmarks itself against area high school districts and consistently demonstrates our academic programs remain high, while our tax rate remains unchanged.
Jennifer Jendras
Office sought: District 87 school board member, 2-year term
Family: Husband, three children—two Glenbard graduates and one attending a Glenbard high school
Social media addresses: https://www.facebook.com/jenniferjendras/ or my website: https://jjrg76.wixsite.com/schoolboardjendras
Occupation: Manager, occupational health and safety for the U.S. General Services Administration
Education: BS in Environmental Health and Safety and a Master’s Degree in Public Health.
Community or civic involvement: Previous PTA President Glenn Westlake Middle School, election judge, Girl Scout troop leader, blood donor, Lombard village Environmental Concerns Committee member and previous District 87 school board member.
Awards received (either professional or community related): Master School Board Member Certification IASB
Previous elected offices held: Previous District 87 school board member
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 87 Board of Education?
I am running as a parent of a student that has seen many parent voices dismissed and marginalized publicly. I will make sure that voices of parents are being heard and considered by the school board and school administration. Parents want to be a part of the education of their children. Parents have a unique perspective on how school policies and programs impact their children’s educational process. They hear from their children, their children’s friends, and other parents on the reality of what is happening day to day and will not hold back this information from the school administration.
What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?
Glenbard recently revamped its schedule, resulting in less academic learning time, but more open periods for students to seek out academic assistance. For some students when offered a choice of a free period or to seek academic assistance, they may not make the right choice. What should happen in those free periods is targeted interventions for students that have an academic need. Not targeted interventions by AI or a computer—targeted interventions that happen with actual certified educators. The interventions need to be data driven for each student, pinpointing learning gaps, especially for those students that have a high propensity of achievement but are demonstrating slow growth.
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?
75-80 percent of property taxes go to schools. We must continue to make sure that money is used to improve academics and career preparation as our community is a destination district for parents with young children. It can be very difficult to save for college and retirement when people’s property taxes are in a high range annually and continue to escalate. Maxing out the levy in schools is currently the norm, with schools wanting the most money they can get, then determine the budget. Instead, what taxpayers need is a school district that says, this is our budget, and this is what we need, so this is the budget we will ask for.
4-year term candidates
Jessica Breede
Office sought: District 87 school board member, 4-year term
Family: Happily married to Robert for almost 24 years. Mother to April and Gavin who are both current students in District 87.
Social media addresses:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090906877205
Occupation: Educator
Education: Bachelors in Elementary Education from National Louis University
Community or civic involvement: I served as the PTO President at Glen Hill Elementary for four years; Music Boosters President at Glenside Middle School for five years; Glenside Public Library Trustee for six years; Girl Scout troop leader for 11 years and Boy Scout volunteer for nine years.
Awards received (either professional or community related): Character Counts Pillar Award from the Village of Glendale Heights.
Previous elected offices held: Glenside Public Library Trustee
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 87 Board of Education?
I am running because I feel that more parents of current students need to participate within the board along with, I would like more representation for Glendale Heights on the board. My background in the education field along with experience with working on a local board makes me a great candidate as a District 87 board member.
What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?
Loss of learning due to the pandemic is a major challenge for all districts, not just District 87. Steps have been implemented to assist with this challenge. Continually monitoring students’ academic progress and being willing to make changes if needed is what should be the top priority. All of this should be done with making sure to be mindful of the mental health of students as well as staff.
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?
Students and staff need safe and functioning facilities. Students also need quality educators and lots of educational opportunities. This comes with a cost. With that being said, District 87 still has to be mindful that they are using tax payer’s money to do this. My six years of being a library trustee has given me great experience with balancing a budget. A school district should not collect the maximum amount of property taxes that they are able to, just because they can.
John Kenwood
Office sought: District 87 school board member, 4-year term
Family: Married with three children graduating Glenbard District 87
Social media address: [email protected]; Facebook Kenwood 4 D87.
Occupation: Partner, Management Consulting Business Transformation
Education: Undergraduate Degree in Business Administration and minor in logistics at The University of Texas in Austin. MBA in Finance and minor in Marketing, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Community or civic involvement: I have 10 years’ experience at District 41 as board president, vice president, and board member. District 41 is a feeder district to District 87, and knowing how the feeder districts collaborate with District 87 is an important part of being on the board. While on the District 41 board, I served on the finance, policy, and curriculum committee.
I have four years’ experience as a village trustee. As a trustee, I’ve learned how police, fire, and safety play a role in protecting the community as well as the schools.
I am currently serving as a board member on District 87 I am seeking re-election for a second term.
Sponsor for Women in technology forum.
Soccer coach for travel soccer program through U16.
Assistant softball coach.
Assistant basketball coach.
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 87 Board of education?
I have 18 years of board service as either a board of education member or village trustee. I am currently serving as a board member on District 87 and have served on the policy and finance committee. I have also been a part of the Profile of a Graduate, and the New School Day. My commitment is to ensure all stakeholders have a voice in how we move forward in the district. I am accessible at [email protected]. I am seeking a second term and hope to gain your support. If you would like a sign, please send me an email.
What do you see as the major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?
Learning loss: COVID had an impact on our kids, and I want to be an advocate for ensuring our schools continue to respond to their needs in hopes that they will move forward in a better state of mind than their COVID years. School day model: The district is about to roll-out a new school day, and I believe my ability to ask the right questions before implementation will be a benefit to students, parents, and teachers. I will ensure the administration is ready and we properly monitor the impacts of the new schedule.
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?
Over the next five years (2028) the enrollment at our schools will drop by 672 (9 percent) students, and our expenditures are predicted to increase from $173 million to $195 million. We project 60 teacher retirements. The model of decreased enrollment, less teachers, yet rising expenditures is not sustainable. The district has several capital projects that need to be completed, so we will need to evaluate the options to balance and support the taxpayers’ concerns. I did not support the last levy because of the amount of COVID funding that the district received.
Hetal Lee
Office sought: District 87 school board member, 4-year term
Social media address:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090318491079
Occupation: Architectural engineer
Education: BS, Engineering; MBA, Entrepreneurship
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 87 Board of Education?
I am running for the school board because I want to be a part of developing policies and generating a roadmap to achievement that puts emphasis on student learning. I want to create a fiscally sound budget allowing for the next educators and providing all students with equitable access to resources that support academic excellence. My focus will be on expanding our technology-based programs to attract more students to STEM professions and prompt vocational pathways that strengthen our communities for the future.
What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?
A major challenge that I see in our district is not having diversity within the board that can bring a level of skillset that will benefit the board. I have been in the HVAC industry for over 25 years and currently as head of Global Engineering Solutions for a large commercial real estate company. I specialize in Integrated Facilities Management pre-sales consulting, solution development and engineering process support for global clients. My extended experience in engineering will provide the professional oversite the board needs when making infrastructure and capital improvement decisions.
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?
Having experience in engineering, I can provide oversite on capital expenditure projects that cost millions of dollars. My experience can identify any gaps in spending for these large projects and reallocate funds, if needed, to provide the lightest level of education for our students. This includes attracting and retaining the best educators for our district. Spending should focus on the critical path, education and educators, while balancing other areas of spend to balance the budget and help minimize any tax increases to our community.
Martha Mueller
Office sought: District 87 school board member, 4-year term
Family: Husband Mark, daughters Jennie and Kimmy, son Matt Lytle (Lyndsey), grandbabies Tommy and Kelly, dog (Copper).
Occupation: Retired Illinois Bell Telephone, bus driver and TSA
Education: Glenbard East High School. Vocational: phone cable construction, computer programmer, CDL, safety and security.
Community or civic involvement: Current District 87 board member, CERT, Lilac Parade marshal, Girl Scout leader for 10 years, ABATE, animal rescue.
Previous elected offices held: District 87 board member, 2015 to present
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 87 Board of Education?
To continue securing safe practices for the students. To insure transparency to the public. To make sure all our students have the best learning experiences.
What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?
Student safety, both in school and their communities. Mental health support and how to help those in need. Every time there’s a shooting, we hear “They were bullied”; well, let’s focus on recognizing threats before risks escalates to tragedy. Learn how to protect yourselves from predators and those wishing to harm others. Be kind.
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?
The District 87 administration has been doing a great job using funds to better our facilities, hiring and retaining diverse staff, and supporting our learning environment. They are qualified to get the best return on funds and have even made significant earnings from the projects we’ve invested in, i.e., solar. Illinois taxes are awful. I’m thankful that District 87 has used those monies to benefit our local education, which invests in our communities.
Dr. James E. Shannon
Office sought: District 87 school board member, 4-year term
Family: Wife: Evelyn (54 years) Retired Chicago, Illinois public school teacher. Son: Jarius, 2021 graduate of St. Ambrose University. Daughter: Ashley, 2018 graduate of Illinois State University; Master of Law, University of Illinois; third year law school student at the University of Chicago.
Social media address: Dr. James E. Shannon for Glenbard District 87 School Board on facebook.com
Occupation: Pastor of Peoples Community Church of DuPage County, Glen Ellyn; 15 years as pastor.
Education: Bachelor of Science, Tennessee State University; Masters Public Administration, Roosevelt University; Masters Divinity, Northern Seminary; Doctorate Ministry, Northern Seminar
Community or civic involvement: One Community, Glen Ellyn; Milton Township Mental Health Board; Illinois Baptist State Association (IBSA) Credentials Committee; Board of Education, District 87
Awards received (either professional or community related): 2009 Home Free U.S.A. President Award Fair Housing Resiliency; 2009 South Suburban Housing Center Fair Housing Achievement Award; 2016 Proclamation DuPage County Civil Rights; 2020 Top Ladies of Distinction Humanitarian Award; 2019 Dexter Ave. King Memorial Baptist Church MLK Birthday Celebration (sermon).
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 87 Board of Education?
In 2009, when there was no equity and inclusion Program in District 87, I established a mentoring program in the district in order to be a voice for minority students. I am running for the board to put policies in place for equity and inclusion.
What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?
Two of the major challenges I see in District 87 is the decline in enrollment and the managing of artificial intelligence. I am running for the board to continue to attract top administrators and quality staff to bring in great families to the district.
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?
Since 75 percent of property taxes support our schools, the taxes level must be kept at a range that would support quality administrators and tax level teachers. We must be able to attract great families to our district.
John Wilharm
Office sought: District 87 school board member, 4-year term
Family: I am married to my wife, Monique, and have three kids: two of whom are Glenbard South students and one that is a student at Clemson University.
Social media addresses: Web site: https://www.wilharm4d87.com/
Facebook group: Wilharm 4 D87 School Board (https://www.facebook.com/groups/662200302357763)
Occupation: International Business Machines (IBM) business unit executive, WW expert labs services
Education: The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Master of Business Administration; Denison University, Bachelor of Arts, Economics
Community or civic involvement: John has been actively involved in various school, church, and community volunteer activities as committee chair, coach, club leader, and general volunteer in his 15 years as a Glen Ellyn resident.
Awards received (either professional or community related): John has received many professional awards in his career, revolving around his commitment to project delivery excellence and customer success.
Previous elected offices held: President, Maryknoll Homeowners Association
Why are you running to serve as a member of the District 87 Board of Education?
As a parent of two Glenbard South students and one recent graduate, I’ve witnessed the challenges that our students experience. I’ve discussed the curriculum with a myriad of teachers and community members, and I don’t see the issue around the growing Achievement Gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students being addressed. My background in leading a global consulting organization and experience in skillful problem-solving makes me well-suited to address this issue. The board needs new members who have children in the district and are active in the schools, and it is my intention to be one of them.
What do you see as a major challenge, or challenges, facing the district, and what do you think needs to be done to meet that challenge, or challenges?
During the pandemic, our students spent two years learning a scaled-down curriculum in a sub-optimal environment. Many students continue to struggle academically and emotionally, and teachers are challenged to meet the needs of these students. The lost learning has left some students without the knowledge and skills to thrive in next-level classes. As a result, the achievement gap has grown with no documented plan to address it. The board needs to re-work the curriculum and approach to learning, affording teachers the freedom to quickly recognize gaps and address them.
What is your philosophy on balancing spending and maintaining a quality education with taxpayer concerns over rising property taxes?
An increase in spending does not necessarily translate into an increase in learning metrics. Responsible spending requires a transparent process and requires a debate of each line item to tactically provide the best education possible. I intend to explore current spending levels and question proposals for increased spending. The board is currently projecting future budget increases, while enrollment continues to decline. I pledge to actively participate in budgeting and spending discussions to ensure our taxpayers’ dollars are spent wisely in accordance with the needs of our students.
