Nine candidates vying for four open seats on Elmhurst District 205 school board

With nine candidates running for four open seats on the Elmhurst School District 205 school board, voters will have plenty of choices from a field that includes two incumbents and seven newcomers, including at least one who has been sharply critical of the district’s current board and administration.

Eight of the nine candidates met recently in the February 26 forum sponsored by the League of Women Voters in Elmhurst. Video of the forums, with separate videos for candidates for Elmhurst City Council and the Elmhurst Park District board can be found here: Elmhurst | MyLO (lwv.org)

While questions from the League and community members as well as a later conversation between Trautmann and Pioneer Press asked candidates for their goals and objectives and other issues, two main topics were front and center with candidates: student academic performance and district finances. (For District 205 responses to Pioneer Press questions on those issues, see separate story in this issue.)

There was general agreement that student academic performance is not where it should be, with many students performing below grade level in core subjects even before the impact of COVID-19. Several candidates put current student performance at around 50 % in both English language arts and math.

Discussions of district finances centered on the district’s recent tax levy, adding revenue when the district is holding a fund balance said to be $45 million or more. Both incumbent board members running for re-election said more than half that balance is intended for additional capital projects over the next three years.

The newcomers are Kelly Asseff, Tom Chavez, Dr. Kelly Henry, Lan Li, Linda Nudera, Jammie Esker Schaer and Ben Zulauf. The incumbents running for re-election are Beth Hosler and Courtenae Trautmann, both running for re-election after serving one term on the board. Trautmann did not participate in the forum because of a long-standing family obligation.

The candidates, with information from forum responses and their campaign literature and websites, are:

Kelly Asseff, a parent with three children in D205 schools, is president of the Field Elementary School PTA with experience as a school counselor. In a campaign flyer, Asseff says she “values the importance of programs that support child mental health…” In the forum, she mentioned the importance of social emotional learning (SEL). [About (kellyasseffd205.com)]

Tom Chavez, a parent whose youngest child is the third to go through D205 schools. In forum comments, Chavez was critical of declines in academic performance in the district, even before the effects of the COVID pandemic. “I’ve seen changes in the district,” he said. “I want to see improvement in academics.” Chavez has been identified as a lead of EPIC, Elmhurst Parents for Integrity in Curriculum [Elmhurst Parents for Integrity in Curriculum / EPIC 205]. The organization has been critical of what its website calls “compulsory indoctrination in grievance-based concepts, including Critical Race Theory.” On his campaign website, Chavez says, “Over the last several years merit and rigor have been supplanted by a new educational mindset that has jettisoned curriculum that has worked for centuries in favor of equity. The data shows the academic results are not good.” [Elect Tom Chavez / Elmhurst D205 School Board (tomchavez4d205.com)]

Dr. Kelly Henry, a pediatrician and a local lead in the Elmhurst group for Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense. She is a parent with twin second-graders in D205. Henry is on staff at Loyola University Medical Center and is an associate professor at the Stritch School of Medicine. In the forum, Henry said, “I have witnessed how the physical and mental health of our students impact their learning.” [About Kelly | Kelly Henry D205]

Beth Hosler, current board member, D205 parent and a product of D205 schools. In the forum, Hosler acknowledged there is “room for improvement” in the district, but cited her work in oversight of projects funded by the $168 million referendum Elmhurst voters approved in 2018. Hosler said as a board member she has been, and will continue to be, an advocate for students at all levels. [HOME | HoslerforD205 (hoslerfor205.com)]

Lan Li, a parent with a child at Lincoln Elementary School, where he is active in the PTA. In forum remarks, Li stressed school safety, academic achievement and fiscal responsibility. On his campaign website – About Lan (lanli4d205.com)

More Top Picks Best Vibrating Sensory Toys For Kids

– he stresses the importance of core competency for students in reading, writing and math and the need for a board member to be “a responsible steward of other people’s money.”

Linda Nudera, an educator who stressed the “depth and breadth” of her background in education, has both taught and coached in the district. In campaign literature, Nudera pledges to support “proven, tried-and-true teaching method while eliminating wasteful spending on pilot curriculum and consulting projects…” Nudera was among several candidates, including Chavez, who said approximately 50 percent of D205 students are failing to meet proficiency standards in core subjects of English language arts and math. [Linda T. Nudera Candidate for D205 (lindanuderad205.com)]

Jammie Esker Schaer, a parent with five sons, also cited declines in academic performance for the district, along with tax increases. She joined Chavez and Nudera in saying half of kids in the district are not doing well (academically). Schaer cited changes she saw as her sons progressed through school, including cursive writing no longer being taught, as “things changing in traditional education.” [ Jammie Esker Schaer: Candidate for Elmhurst School Board D205 (jammie4d205.com)]

Courtenae Trautmann, finishing her first term on the board, is retired from a long career with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and now in her fifth season as a security consultant with the National Football League working with the Chicago Bears. Trautmann cited working on projects using referendum proceeds to provide safe and secure vestibule entrances to all D205 schools in a conversation with Pioneer Press. Asked about the question of academics versus social emotional learning, she noted there is no class on SEL. “Outside influences want us to believe there’s a divide,” she said. “My opinion is it’s not an either-or. Kids who feel confident can succeed academically.” [ HOME | Countoncourtenae2023 ]

Both Hosler and Trautmann defended the district’s large fund balance, given variously as $45 million or $47 million. Both said district officials have decided to “expand the scope” of the facilities improvement work beyond the total $168 million of the referendum. Hosler said when that additional work is paid for, the fund balance will be in the $18 million range, with Trautmann saying that amount would actually be below the amount called for in board policy.

Ben Zulauf, an educator who has taught fifth grade, been an instructional coach and is in his second year as the literacy director for Cicero School District 99. In opening remarks in the forum, Zulauf cited his 14 years in education, his own degrees and said he would like to help District 205 with his expertise. In response to a question about roles, Zulauf said board members should help ask questions to make sure administrators are on the right track and make sure district money is used wisely. In campaign literature, Zulauf said his goals include improved professional development, curriculum, instruction and assessment in the district. [ Ben Zulauf for D205 BOE (google.com) ]

Present board members Chris Kocinski and Karen Stuefen did not file for re-election.

Graydon Megan is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.