I spent two years attending nearly every OPRF school board meeting before I graduated in 2022. I saw what makes an effective board member. Josh Gertz and my dad, Nate Mellman, are the best people for the job.
A great board member puts students first. That means ensuring OPRF stays focused on its core mission: education. But recent trends concern me. My dad and Josh will make sure OPRF’s resources are used wisely.
A great board member also listens to all perspectives. Here, I can speak personally. The only place with a heartier debate than an Oak Park Facebook page is the Mellman family dinner table. My dad taught my sisters and me to debate passionately but respectfully — to back our arguments with facts, but listen when evidence says we may be wrong. The OPRF board needs new, diverse perspectives, and my dad will bring exactly that. But just as importantly, he will listen and work with everyone to find real solutions.
Every morning before school, my dad left my sisters and me with one piece of advice: “Ask good questions.” Always implied was Step 2: listen to the answers. He and Josh know the right questions to ask, and they’re committed to acting on the answers. That’s why I’m proud to support them — because OPRF students deserve a board that will fight for their success.
Tim Mellman
River Forest