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Three seats are open on the Elmhurst Unit District 205 School Board, and one incumbent and three newcomers are all hoping to fill them. Susan DeRonne and Maria Hirsch, whose terms expire this year, have decided not to run for re-election.
Joining incumbent Jim Collins on the ballot are newcomers Alan Brinkmeier, Emily Bastedo and Margaret Harrell.
Collins, managing director at Wells Fargo Securities, is a life-long resident of Elmhurst and attended Field School, Immaculate Conception, Sandburg and York. He was elected to the School Board in 2009, and currently serves as its president.
Alan Brinkmeier, an attorney, is a 40-year resident of Elmhurst. He serves on the Elmhurst College Board of Directors and the Elmhurst Zoning Commission, and is president of the Elmhurst Swim Team, among his many other local volunteer affiliations.
Emily Bastedo, a resident of Elmhurst for five years, practiced public finance law for a large financial services law firm in Chicago. Most of her time was spent serving as bond counsel to Illinois school districts. She will have children in Elmhurst schools until 2027.
Margaret Harrell, PhD, is a program analyst for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She has volunteered her time with EEPRT (Elmhurst Educational Process Review Technique) in 2009/2010 and the Superintendent’s Community Advisory Committee in 2012/2013.
CANDIDATE BIOS
Early voting begins March 25, and Election Day is April 9. Click on the links below to read biographical information and School Board candidates' answers to Elmhurst Patch questionnaires.
RELATED STORIES
- Objections Filed Against Two Candidates Seeking Seats on Elmhurst District 205 School Board
- Darlene Heslop Withdraws Her Challenge to School Board Candidates' Nominating Papers
- School Board Candidate Explains the Now-moot Petition Challenge He and Fellow Candidate Faced
- UPDATE: Amid Difficult Budget Realities, District 205 Parents Launch Petition to Fight New School Start Times
- District 205 Refinances Another $6.5 Million in Debt
- UPDATE: Idea of Adjusting to a New School Start Time Next Year Has Some Parents on Edge
MORE LOCAL ELECTION COVERAGE ON PATCH
Elmhurst District 205 News: Catch up on the actions of the Elmhurst District 205 School Board before you vote.
Election 2013: Chronological feed of every election-related post on Elmhurst Patch.
Elmhurst Election Central: A guide to every race that affects residents of Elmhurst, as well as links to voter information
LINKS TO OTHER LOCAL ELECTION COVERAGE
Elmhurst League of Women Voters Candidate Forum [VIDEO]
Elmhurst Chamber of Commerce Mayoral Candidate Business Forum [VIDEO]
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CheKeroauc
6:10 pm on Wednesday, March 13, 2013
I urge everyone to read the answers to the questions poised to each candidate by The Patch and to vote for the ones who you feel best represents your views.
Deb Webb
9:49 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
I met Margaret Harrell through girls' basketball and Mary Queen of Heaven Church. I liked her from the very beginning. I learned what Margaret was made of through serving with her on the York Advisory Team, York Student Enrichment Team and York Athletic Booster Board. Someone recently asked me to put in one sentence why I thought Margaret would be an incredible asset to the District 205 School Board. After some thought, I wrote, "Margaret gets the tough jobs done in an efficient and upbeat manner while maintaining great relationships." Do you realize how difficult that is? Deb Webb
Jim Court
10:04 am on Thursday, March 14, 2013
On paper, they all seem very competent and capable. I do not believe that anyone who sets out to do such a demanding job that is subject to much critique and must seem thankless, does not want to do their best.. I really don't know all of the candidates so I am very cautious about commenting on this issue although it is exceptionally important concern for the future of Elmhurst. These are difficult times, with budgets under constant attack, a large influx of students who may be destined for blue collar work. God bless them. They are just as important as anyone else. Unfortunately, testing norms seem to decide that if you don't know advanced math or Shakespeare that somehow the school is failing the community when test scores do not reflect these areas of learning. The one candidate I am aware of over the years, Mr Brinkmeier definitely is a very qualified who will use his tremendous drive and talent to assure the quality and excellence of our schools. Schools form the foundation of the community and general perception of who we are. I can only hope that the best candidate gets elected. Any thoughts on this ?