I endorse Fred Arkin to remain a member of the District 200 Board of Education. I have known Fred since his first term on the D200 board. He attended every single meeting of the Imagine OPRF Working Group in 2017-2018, the only board member to do so. I found his commitment admirable at the time. But as I’ve gotten to know Fred better and seen his work as a colleague over the past two years, now I understand it’s simply who Fred is: someone who works incredibly hard, often behind the scenes, to serve our students. He embodies the kind of board member we want: someone who shows up, does the work, and makes an impact.
I’ve also come to understand the value of Fred’s vast institutional knowledge. He attended OPRF, he has coached at OPRF for decades, and was first elected to the board in 2015. He is able to question the administration and push back in ways people newer to the school simply can’t, and he doesn’t hesitate to do so.
His perspective as one of the three Jewish members of the D200 board has been valuable, as well as his professional expertise as an insurance executive. He has singlehandedly saved the district significant dollars on insurance policies and claims simply by asking the right questions.
The achievements of the district over the past decade are Fred’s achievements, too: development of the Behavior Education Plan and Racial Equity Policy; the first major capital improvements in 50 years; finally rightsizing the fund balance; demanding a rigorous curriculum and access for all students.
But all of this work continues. Fred’s institutional knowledge, expertise, and willingness to work incredibly hard are going to be crucial to OPRF’s future success.
With great confidence in his impact, I support Fred Arkin for a new term on the D200 board and hope you will too.
Tim Brandhorst
River Forest