2 incumbents, 2 newbies win in U-46

One-term incumbents Amy Kerber and Maria Bidelman won re-election Tuesday in Elgin Area School District U-46.

Bidelman, though, squeaked by. Fewer than 80 votes separated her from the next highest vote-getter, Citizens Advisory Council member Gary Percy, according to unofficial totals.

Voters also selected two new U-46 board members: Traci O’Neal Ellis, an attorney and member of the African-American Advisory Council, and Jennifer Shroder, a freelance editor and PTO leader.

“I campaigned hard and people rallied around me,” O’Neal Ellis said. “Engagement was a key issue that resonated with people.”

Percy, who ran unsuccessfully in 2009, said he probably won’t try again.

“I’m disappointed,” Percy said. “I’ll still be involved in CAC and district policy.”

Kerber had almost 20 percent of the vote, followed by O’Neal Ellis with 17.7 percent, Shroder with 17.5 and Bidelman with 15.9 percent. Percy had 15.7 percent and Mary VanSlyck had 13.3.

O’Neal Ellis said it is difficult to find any clear message in the results given the closeness of the election.

“You had six candidates that were passionate about (education), that were engaged,” she said. “It could have gone any way. It really could have.”

Shroder also felt engagement was at the heart of this year’s election.

“We need parents to understand they feel welcome in the schools,” Shroder said. “They want to be involved. They want to point at the schools and say, ‘That’s my kid’s school.’”

During the campaign, Bidelman and Kerber said their four years on the board and their background in education would allow them to hit the ground running.

Percy vowed to call greater attention to the state’s fiscal crisis and how that is affecting students in U-46.

O’Neal Ellis said she would improve outreach to the black community in U-46 to help close the achievement gap.

Shroder said the district needs to do a better job of making sure building principals follow the district’s community and family engagement policies.

VanSlyck, a former career specialist, said she would use the knowledge she gained as a 10-year member of the Citizens Advisory Council to advocate for students.