There’s longstanding, powerful pressure on District 200 board members to fall in line on spending. Josh Gertz and Nate Mellman question things like the increase in spending for high school administrators. [1] Incumbent candidates Arkin and Williams-Lee lack this critical budgetary thinking. Arkin broke his promise not to approve non-referendum Project 2 bonds. [2] Both voted twice to overtax us by $10-11 million. [3]
Gertz and Mellman are concerned that the Black-white achievement gap hasn’t narrowed, Hispanic students’ English scores have worsened, and neither academically accomplished nor struggling students are well-supported. As D200 board members, they’ll ask tough questions about such issues. They want all students to be appropriately challenged and advocate proven approaches. [4]
Keeping all students safe is a Gertz-Mellman priority. They’re troubled that more students have engaged in physical violence this year, and some are afraid to use the bathrooms or walk the hallways. As board members, they’ll ask questions about such matters and seek student discipline improvements.
Josh Gertz and Nate Mellman have the experience to ask the right questions, including Gertz’s years working with schools and Mellman’s service on the OPRF High School Community Council. Both seek an OPRF that meets the highest standards at the lowest possible cost in the safest environment possible.
Sources:
[1] https://www.gertzmellmand200.com/priority-3-safeguard-taxpayer-dollars, footnote 3.
[2] 3/4/19; D200 candidate forum (Fred Arkin: “If we issue bonds, I will pledge that I will vote to have a referendum. Period…” On 4/27/23, Arkin voted to bypass a referendum. https://youtu.be/K4afkgWjdVM?feature=shared, starting at 4:04
[3] 5-Year Financial Projections: https://go.boarddocs.com/il/oprfhs/Board.nsf/files/DBDQ5K679A86/$file/5%20Year%20Financial%20Projection.ppdf
[4] OPRF’s discontinued Project Scholar program proved the effectiveness of intensive tutoring. https://www.oakpark.com/2012/09/04/the-other-student-achievement-network
Judith Alexander
Oak Park
