River Forest’s District 90 School Board has four open seats with four candidates seeking election.
The school board election will take place on April 1. The board, which makes decisions for Willard and Lincoln Elementary Schools, is elected by River Forest residents. Board members serve four-year terms, with elections held every two years to ensure continuity by allowing some members to remain while welcoming new voices. This year, the terms of Sarah Eckmann, Stacey Williams, Nicole Thompson and Kathleen Avalos will expire. Of the four, only Avalos is seeking reelection.
Along with Avalos, Katherine Bevan, Josh Ehart and Beth Vlerick are running for the board. Rashida Dairyko and Theodore Perlstein have withdrawn from the race.
Avalos, the only incumbent running for reelection to the D90 School Board, has served on several committees, including the Communications Committee, which she chairs. A long-time PTO volunteer at Lincoln and Roosevelt, she has also participated in numerous board training sessions and conferences and is currently involved in local interfaith work with the Community of Congregations.
“My five years of service on the board in addition to my active volunteerism in our schools prior to being elected means I have the historical knowledge and context that is critical to charting our district’s course for the future through purposeful governance,” said Avalos.
Bevan, who previously served on the River Forest Public Library Board, works in education research. Her top three priorities, if elected, would be to hire a superintendent when Edward Condon retires, exercise general good governance, and maintain citizen feedback, as she believes it is a fiscal responsibility.
“I think that families want to see a school board and administration that are responsive to community concerns and communicate clearly, especially around… scheduling, curriculum and use of technology. I think voters additionally appreciate clear and transparent information on school finances,” said Bevan.
Like Bevan, Ehart is a long-time community volunteer with a business background. He prioritizes the superintendent search process, creating a five-year strategic plan and improving district communication. He also served on the board of directors for the Chicago Advertising Federation for nearly a decade.
Ehart plans to “spend time in our schools to understand the lives of both teachers and students better. I plan on spending a few days each year in each school.”
Vlerick also focuses on community connections. She holds a master’s degree in public service management and has a background in public healthcare. She prioritizes teachers, collaboration, and civic engagement in the classroom.
“I think people want to regain trust in their public institutions and I hope a board that promotes two-way communication will be effective in doing so,” said Vlerick.
