1. Why did you decide to run?
Schaafsma: I always wanted to run for the school board, but I wanted to wait until my children were pretty much out of school, so I’d be less busy. I believe in democracy and community service, and I want to be part of a school district leadership process where I can give back after it has given my children so much. I decided to run in this election as a write-in candidate because I and some others saw an urgency that came about because of the candidacy of Mellman and Gertz. I felt like I wanted to be an alternative to that way of acting in the world and approaching school matters.
Odell: Local offices and local elections are really important to our community, and OPRF is an important resource not only for families with current students, but for all of us who live in the Oak Park & River Forest communities. When I saw that the D200 board was going to have four vacancies in this upcoming election, I realized that this was the right time for me to get more involved.
Gertz: I decided to run because I saw some opportunities for improvement and feel this would be a great opportunity for me to serve the community. I wanted to do this for a while, and after discussing it with my family, we decided the timing was right. My kids are young, so the idea that I can make little improvements over time and still enjoy watching them experience it is an added bonus.
Mellman: I decided to run because I saw some opportunities for improvement and feel this would be a great opportunity for me to serve the community. I wanted to do this for a while, and after discussing it with my family, we decided the timing was right. My kids are young, so the idea that I can make little improvements over time and still enjoy watching them experience it is an added bonus.
Arkin: I am a sitting member of the board with the second longest tenure and I think having the institutional and historical knowledge of the district is critical for future decision making. I also feel it is important to continue the boards polices and initiatives.
Williams-Lee: I was appointed to the D200 Board in July 2023 following an interview process to fill a vacancy. I decided to apply for the vacancy because I am a strong supporter of public education, with deeply held beliefs about the importance of equity, creating an environment where all children can thrive and achieve their potential, and being engaged in and supporting my community. As a parent and community member, I want OPRF to remain vibrant, radically inclusive, and committed to equity and excellence. Being a school board member provides an opportunity to ensure this happens, and it led me to decide to run for a full term.
2. What qualifications do you bring to this office?
Schaafsma: I am a Professor of English and Director of English Education (preparing people to become English teachers) and have been a teacher for many years. I have decades of experience in schools that I can bring to the job.
Odell: I have been a member of the Community Finance Committee of the Board for about two years, so I have learned a lot about the financial aspects of the district. I serve as Associate Provost at Dominican University, where I’m also a Professor of Economics. I have almost a decade of administrative experience at Dominican, and over 15 years of teaching experience. In my current administrative role, I continue to teach, both to stay connected to what is happening with faculty and students, and because I love being in the classroom. I also have a passion for sustainability. I spent a year in Denmark in the early-2000s studying sustainable development and wind energy. I’m excited about the great work that OPRF is doing in this area and, if elected, will be excited to support these initiatives.
Gertz: I have been an employee benefits attorney for over 10 years and have consulted with dozens of educational institutions in Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio. In my extensive work with boards, administrators, and union representatives, I have developed a strong understanding of the “business” of running a school district and think that insight will prove invaluable to the district.
Mellman: I have been an employee benefits attorney for over 10 years and have consulted with dozens of educational institutions in Illinois, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Ohio. In my extensive work with boards, administrators, and union representatives, I have developed a strong understanding of the “business” of running a school district and think that insight will prove invaluable to the district.
Arkin: 7 1/2 years of prior board service.
Williams-Lee: As a nearly 25-year resident of Oak Park, I have been active in both D97 and D200 serving on PTOs, as well as Superintendent committees and advisory boards. Over the past 15 years, I have served on multiple non-profit boards and understand the work and role of boards as governing bodies. Professionally, I work in Human Resources and have held executive leadership positions for over 12 years. I understand how to create inclusive environments, have a focus on fiscal discipline and stewardship, know the importance of leading change, can set goals and drive accountability, and am experienced in developing strategies. Finally, serving on the school board for the past 18 months on the has given me a deeper understanding of the strengths and needs of our high school.
3. How do you feel you can connect with the students, faculty, staff and parents of OPRF?
Schaafsma: I feel like with all my time in schools I know how to listen to parents, students, teachers and administrators. I know the school well, having had three kids graduate from the school. I feel like I know Oak Park, having lived here for 25 years.
Odell: As an educator myself, I feel I can connect with OPRF faculty and staff on that professional level, as colleagues. I’m also an OPRF parent. I have a senior and a freshman this year. Through my kids, I know many OPRF students and their families and have shared interests with OPRF families. Generally, my approach to connecting with people is to be curious and open the learning about others’ experiences. As a member of the board, I will prioritize listening and understanding the concerns and challenges facing OPRF students, faculty, staff, and families.
Gertz: Nobody knows someone’s personal experiences better than that individual. I try to remain approachable and like to understand everyone’s perspective when addressing an issue. At work, I maintain an open-door policy for my colleagues to ensure that they feel comfortable coming in and asking questions; I aspire to apply a similar method to my role on the board. I think being a parent of three future Huskies and having professionally interacted with those constituencies will foster a strong connection.
Mellman: Nobody knows someone’s personal experiences better than that individual. I try to remain approachable and like to understand everyone’s perspective when addressing an issue.
At work, I maintain an open-door policy for my colleagues to ensure that they feel comfortable coming in and asking questions; I aspire to apply a similar method to my role on the board. I think being a parent of three future Huskies and having professionally interacted with those constituencies will foster a strong connection.
Arkin: I have always have been able to develop deep positive relationships with students, staff and parents.
Williams-Lee: I believe I connect well with our stakeholders. Before joining the school board, I was a member of Community Council, A.P.P.L.E., and the Imagine Team. Since joining the board, improving communications and engagement with stakeholders has been an area of focus.
I make a make a concerted effort to connect, taking advantage of various opportunities such as our D200 Board meetings, the upcoming Civics Service Learning Fair, Huskie Boosters Kickoff, Superintendent Community Conversations, A Day in Our Village, and the annual Community Breakfast to name a few. As a parent, I have experienced the high school through the lens of my two children, one of whom is a current OPRF student, as well as through the experiences of the teens of family members and friends who also attend OPRF. I am proud to have led work on behalf of the board to include student voice. The selection process for identifying student school board representatives is underway, led by Dr. Johnson and Principal Parker.
4. What are your top three priorities if you are elected? What do you hope to accomplish?
Schaafsma: To listen to every voice that has a concern to be addressed; to work with others on the board, the school and the community to fairly address those concerns, and to help support everything that is going right in the system in any way I can.
Having said that, I do have some specific things I care about. Equity issues are central for me, supporting the needs of all students. My wife, Tara, is an electrician in Oak Park and now one of my sons (an OPRFHS grad!) is also an electrician. I am quite sure the system is not doing enough to support the career goals of students who are interested in the crucial areas of the trades. Some of my children have special needs, and I want to continue to be an advocate for resources for similar students in our district.
Odell: Maintaining financial stability for the district. Continuing to improve academic outcomes for students. Continuing to work toward outcome equity.
Gertz: I am running on an informal slate with another candidate, Nathan Mellman, and we share three core principles. We want:
1) To keep kids safe;
2) To challenge all students academically; and,
3) To safeguard taxpayer dollars.
I think there’s room for improvement in each of those areas. I’d like to improve the school’s Behavior Education Plan and ensure that it is being enforced appropriately in order to mitigate the number of violent altercations that transpire on the campus. I also hope to fortify the school’s current procedures when violence transpires on campus and secure an effective response from first responders when necessary.
I would also hope to explore an alternative to detracking, as its adoption has correlated with a decline in all students’ PSAT scores. Recent data shows that it also has not kept an adequate portion of the student population feeling engaged. We need to ensure all students have the resources they need to succeed. I’d like to explore expanded tutoring and intensive summer preparation classes for incoming freshmen to ensure they are equipped with the tools they need to be successful. At the same time, I’d like to make sure that particularly apt students are academically challenged with appropriate options and curricula. This also requires listening to faculty, as they have the most direct and relatable experience to relay regarding what they see on a daily basis in the classroom.
As far as finances are concerned, from reviewing budgets and agreements, it appears there are opportunities to tighten the district’s spending in a variety of manners without detracting from its performance. There are several vendor contracts that could be put out to bid to increase competition and drive down the price to the district. Additionally, some strategies in managing the district’s employee benefits spend do not appear to have been fully explored, which could create a win-win situation for the next bargaining cycle with the faculty. Ultimately, I intend on viewing the finances with a critical perspective while still being practical; I want to save the taxpayers mon
Mellman:
1. To keep kids safe;
2. To challenge all students academically; and,
3. To safeguard taxpayer dollars.
Regarding safety, we will improve the school’s Behavior Education Plan to reflect state law and ensure it is enforced, we will ensure the school is as prepared and is as safe as possible for worst-case scenarios, and we will be transparent on disciplinary action taken and the discipline imposed.
Regarding challenging all students, while a one-room schoolhouse with 30 students may require a single classroom with one teacher for all students, we are blessed to have a well-resourced high school of over 3,200 students. Forcing students into a single classroom for basic freshman classes does not challenge those students who are more academically advanced and it overly stresses and fails to adequately teach students who need more assistance.
And regarding safeguarding tax dollars, we will scrutinize spending on high-paying administrators, get to the bottom of why teachers are absent more than the state average, hold the line on property tax increases, and pay close attention to spending on the over $100 million-plus Project 2.
If Trapeze readers would like to learn more about any of my priorities, Josh and I have written with lots of details about the issues at GertzMellmanD200.com.
Arkin: I would continue our work in reducing the achievement gap by the monitoring and tweaking of curriculum change in order to break down barriers that some of our students face. I would continue to be fiscally responsible through the use of the evidence based financing model and zero based budgeting. I would support the continued assessment of our facilities needs to make sure our students have an up to date safe school in which to thrive.
Williams-Lee:
First, it is supporting the priorities identified in the District’s Strategic Plan: Racial Equity, Transformative Education, Transformative Leadership, Operations, Facilities & Finance, and Communications. You can find a copy of the plan on the school website.
My other two priorities are Mental Health and Wellness and having an Inclusive & Safe School Environment. These are foundational to ensuring all our students can thrive. My hope is that by making progress in these areas and on our strategic plan, we continue to move towards our vision of OPRF becoming an ever-improving model of equity and excellence that will enable all students to achieve their full potential.
5. What makes you different from other candidates?
Schaafsma: Experience in schools. No one has my years of service to education and I think that perspective can be valuable in this job.
Odell: My training as an economist, my professional experience in higher education, and my service on the Community Finance Committee are some of my defining qualifications. I’m very at home working with financial and quantitative information and take a data-informed approach to my work.
Gertz: I think my extensive experiences with school districts throughout the Midwest gives me a unique perspective on other ways certain matters can be handled and enables me to bring creative strategies to D200.
Mellman: I think my extensive experiences with school districts throughout the Midwest gives me a unique perspective on other ways certain matters can be handled and enables me to bring creative strategies to D200.
Arkin: My passion for the community and the school. I have chosen to live the majority of my life in the OPRF community and believe I have contributed greatly to its culture.
Williams-Lee: As candidates, we all have different lived experiences and offer unique perspectives. In my case, I bring an understanding of economic, cultural, and racial diversity that is important for our very diverse high school. Being raised by a single mother and the first person in my extended family to attend college, I have experienced the barriers that impact children from communities of color and lower socio-economic backgrounds. Having served in senior executive roles in large global corporations and non-profits, I have also been in environments with individuals possessing a plethora of diverse viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences. My professional roles have required me to navigate and balance a lot of different views and cultures.
6. How are you planning on best balancing the opinions of students and community members with your own personal goals?
Schaafsma: Listening, and negotiating. The best teaching and learning and participation in a democracy generally is making sure each person who has concerns is heard.
Odell: In a role like this, the goal is not to advance your own interests. The goal is to represent the interests of the community, to make decisions after listening to diverse views, and to provide leadership through the unexpected.
Gertz: In my profession, I advise individuals nearly every day on all possible choices they have when addressing a particular issue. It is not uncommon for them to select an approach that I would not take, personally. Not only am I not offended, but if the decision was an educated one and carefully evaluated, I feel that I’ve accomplished my goal.
I intend to approach the school board role in much the same manner: I have to understand all sides and actively seek out the concerns of the community in order to truly make an informed decision and advance the purpose of the district.
Mellman: In my profession, I advise individuals nearly every day on all possible choices they have when addressing a particular issue. It is not uncommon for them to select an approach that I would not take, personally. Not only am I not offended, but if the decision was an educated one and carefully evaluated, I feel that I’ve accomplished my goal.
I intend to approach the school board role in much the same manner: I have to understand all sides and actively seek out the concerns of the community in order to truly make an informed decision and advance the purpose of the district.
Arkin: Frankly I have no personal goals. I prioritize in this order: first and foremost what is in the best interest of our students, then what is in the best interest of our taxpayers and community members, finally what is in the best interest of our faculty and staff.
Williams-Lee: School boards exist to represent the diverse voices and views of the community for its schools. My core values of integrity, transparency, and respect for others guide how I respond. I take time to listen and seek to understand other points of view. I also am open about the “how” and “why” when a decision is made. Of course, not everyone will agree with a given decision. But we can have different, or even opposite, opinions and still be respectful and constructive.
As it relates to personal goals, being a school board member is not about me – it’s about our students. My focus is on making decisions that best serve OPRF’s mission of providing a dynamic, supportive learning environment that cultivates knowledge, skills, and character and strives for equity and excellence for all students.
7. What additional information do you want the school community to know about you?
Schaafsma: As an English teacher I love to read. I have written books such as Growing Up Chicago, co-edited with Roxanne Pilat and Lauren DeJuilo Bell and Jane Addams in the Classrom, an edited collection of essays. I love to run, and still compete in races in the Chicago area.
Odell: I think these are great questions and very comprehensive. I’m happy to answer any other questions that you have.
Gertz: I think this role is one that nobody undertakes with experience in every area that the board will address. We all bring our unique bag of skills and rely on our advisors and community to fill in the gaps. You need to trust the people you choose to listen and to be transparent. I hope to earn that trust.
In addition to comments and critiques, I also welcome cute animal pictures, delicious recipes, and music recommendations.
Mellman: I work late. Don’t be surprised if you get an email from me at 2 or 3 in the morning.
In addition to comments and critiques, I also welcome cute animal pictures, delicious recipes, and music recommendations.
Arkin: I will continue the board polices and initiatives that have transformed the district over the past 10 years to a student centric institution.
Williams-Lee: I enjoy being a school board member and representing our community. I like governance and find that board work is a good fit with my skills and interests. It’s one of the reasons I serve on multiple non-profit boards.
Personally, I come from a big, close-knit family, and spending time with family and friends is my favorite thing to do. I also enjoy travel (25 countries and counting), music (especially the 90s), and cooking (particularly baking – major sweet tooth!). I am a big reader and lover of podcasts. My favorites include The Moth, Hidden Brain, Code Switch, Freakonomics Radio, and Scene on Radio.
