Question 2

What is your connection to D219 and do you have any connections to current students? If you have children in the District, would you be willing to recuse on matters that involve your own family when necessary?

Irena Petryk -

I am a former student of a District 219 school. I have no children in the District, but I do have cousins that attend Niles West. I would be willing to recuse myself on matters that involve my family.

Joseph Nowik -

I have been a resident and home owner of the D219 community since 1986. My wife is a graduate of Niles West. My son and daughter have both graduated from Niles West and my son aged out of the Bridges Program during my current term as a board member of D219.

I am actively involved with several feeder schools and MNASR (Maine-Niles Association of Special Recreation) both of which have students entering or already in our high schools. So yes, I have connections to current students and families in our schools.

The question of recusing myself on matters that would involve my own family is not a hypothetical question for me. I was a staunch advocate of finding a better and more equitable location for the Bridges program that was then housed at Niles North. Because the vote for the new Bridges facility located in Lincolnwood occurred while my son was still in the Bridges program, I did recuse myself on that vote. I will always recuse myself when there is a potential conflict of interest involving me or my family.

Richard Evonitz -

We have lived in Skokie since 1998, and sent our daughter to public schools here – first, to East Prairie Elementary then to Niles North High School; she graduated in 2016.

I do not currently have children in the district, but I have and would continue to recuse myself on matters that involve any staff or students to whom I have a personal connection or any matters in which I or my colleagues feel that I could not be impartial.

Kathleen Weiss Boyle -

I am the mother of a current student at Niles West High School, which gives me an immediate vested interest in the success of District 219. As a homeowner and taxpayer, I have a long-term vested interest in the success of District 219, as good schools are one of the biggest influences in the value and desirability of our homes. I will recuse myself on matters before the board that may involve my family, when necessary.

Elana Jacobs -

My connection to D219 is as a community member and teacher who understands that a vibrant, healthy, growing community is anchored by a strong well-funded school system, specifically the high school district. I am a member of the Illinois Federation of Teachers as a Chicago teacher that is shared by D219 staff. I do not have children or relatives who are attending District 219, and I believe that this makes me a fair and trustworthy board member who makes well researched decisions by listening to students, teachers, parents, and 219 administration. This is why I chose to run on a slate with Irena Petryk, a recent Alumna who is connected with our student and teacher community, and Kathleen Weiss Boyle, a 219 parent with a current student, to compliment my experiences. If there are matters, where there is a conflict of interest then I will recuse myself. And I understand the importance of listening to my neighbors, parent groups, student groups, and teacher groups in person and virtually.

Ross Sawyers -

I have lived in D219 since 2012. I have a child who currently attends Fairview South Elementary who will attend Niles West in 2023.

Naema Abraham -

I have lived in Niles Township for 40 years. My family moved to Skokie in 1979. In 2019, I moved to Morton Grove. My siblings and I are alumni of Niles North, as is my daughter — a 2018 graduate; two nephews and a niece graduated from Niles North in the 1990s. I currently have several family members that attend, both, Niles North and Niles West and, as a result, I always recuse myself from matters related to my family members.