The Wednesday Journal sent questionnaires to each person running for public office in 2025. The Journal’s questions are in bold and the candidate’s responses are below.
OPRF does not hold an “exemplary” designation from the state, a rating given to the top 10% of public schools, how would you help the school get there? Why is it important to get there?
A designation of “exemplary” is awarded to the top 10% of schools that do not have underperforming student groups. The designation is important because our children deserve the best education we can possibly offer them, and we should always challenge ourselves to achieve at the highest levels. OPRF receives a “commendable” rating because we rank just outside the top 10% of schools. Our greatest opportunity for improvement is in our “9th graders on track” score. A student is not “on track” to graduate on time if they fail more than 1 semester of a core class. To address this, Nate Mellman and I are proposing a targeted, intensive summer school offering to incoming 9th graders that are performing just at or below grade level in order to give them a firm foundation to build upon during their years at OPRF.
With a new presidential administration has come sweeping federal changes affecting public schools. How would you look to guide the district in this new climate?
As an attorney, I frequently have to find ways for clients to accomplish their goals within legal restrictions; I’d hope to work closely with the district’s counsel to identify policies or practices that may not be congruent with updated Department of Education guidance. Once we have assessed potential violations, we would then determine the potential ramifications to the district and make educated, conscious decisions moving forward. We won’t be able to predict every legislative change, but having people on the board that have experience adapting to changing environments will prove resourceful. I’ve guided clients through the implementation of the Affordable Care Act and its amendments and adjustments through 3 presidential administrations and I will be able to similarly respond to changes in educational policy in an effective manner with as little disruption to our students as possible.
What is the most important aspect of the Project 2 facilities upgrades currently underway at OPRF? How would you look to keep the plan on budget?
The most important aspect of the Project 2 facilities upgrades currently underway at OPRF is to ensure that the project is safely completed on time. Given the threats of tariffs, the longer the project lasts, the more likely construction materials may inflate in price and cause the total expense to mushroom. Nate Mellman and I would be sure to review any cost overruns and change orders with strict scrutiny as well as direct the administration to consult with experts like construction law attorneys when necessary. We’d also continue with regular progress checks to confirm that everything is moving toward its August 2026 projected deadline on schedule.
What does equity in education mean to you? How would you advocate for it if elected?
Equity in education means that every child is met where they are and given an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of that individual’s race, gender, ethnicity, religion, or any other characteristic. This is not a blanket solution; it requires tailoring approaches to cater to the strengths of each child. That’s one reason why I am weary of single level or survey courses; they do not adequately tailor the pace and material to the wide variety of students that are enrolled; this, in turn, can negatively impact grades and potentially inhibit future opportunities. If elected, I’d want to make sure lessadvantaged populations are succeeding and we are making progress towards narrowing the achievement gap that persists. Nate and I want to deploy targeted summer school options in collaboration with feeder districts to put all kids on equal footing when they enter D200.
In recent years, OPRF has changed its behavioral policies to put a greater emphasis on restorative justice, what do you make of these changes?
As parents, our preeminent concern is for the safety of our children. Restorative justice is effective in resolving lower-level conflicts; it can leave all parties in a better position and more understanding of one another moving forward. However, Nate Mellman and I believe that there is an opportunity for some adjustment to the current behavior education plan that would help to ensure more students and faculty always feel safe at OPRF. We do not believe that the current behavior plan is being enforced in a way that aligns with state law regarding serious infractions with a weapon. Some of the more relaxed responses to violence may have contributed to a marked increase: the school is on pace to double the number of physical altercations this year compared to last. By applying Illinois law properly, we can work towards reducing the most threatening behaviors without being overly punitive towards lower-level violations.