All four School Board candidates endorsed by the Hinsdale Village Caucus emerged victorious on Tuesday night.
The caucus system is alive and well in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181.
All four School Board candidates endorsed by the Hinsdale Village Caucus emerged victorious on Tuesday night.
The caucus had endorsed incumbent Marty Turek of Clarendon Hills and newcomers Jennifer Burns, Rich Giltner and Leslie Gray, all of Hinsdale.
With all precincts reporting, unofficial combined vote totals from Cook and DuPage counties were:
* Jennifer Burns – 3,402
* Rich Giltner – 3,129
* Leslie Gray – 3,047
* Marty Turek – 2,839
* Amy McCurry – 2483
* John Czerwiec – 1,923
Burns said the results show that residents listen to the caucus’ recommendation.
“Voters in District 181 put a lot of faith in the caucus, with its vetting to identify candidates and interviewing of candidates,” Burns said. “For those who don’t have a direct investment or able to do a lot of their own research, they look to the caucus for direction. They see the yard sign. They value the expertise of the caucus endorsement.”
Burns said the real work now begins.
“We need to look forward. We need to creative positive momentum,” Burns said. “We have a little momentum … We need to look ahead and get things done.”
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Gray said she is thrilled voters are giving her an opportunity to join the School Board.
“I am honored people put their trust in me,” Gray said.
She said she is ready to work with other members of the board for the betterment of the district. She also acknowledged McCurry and Czerwiec for wanting to be help direct the district.
“We all put our names out there,” Gray said. “My hat is off to everyone who ran and wants to work to better the district.”
Turek is the only incumbent returning to the board. Brendan Heneghan, Michael Nelson and Glenn Yaeger all are finishing their first terms on the board, but chose not to seek re-election.
The new board will look at what to do with aging building, including Hinsdale Middle School, which was closed for several days last year due to mold.
Kevin Beese is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.