Dist. 200 school board: Blatner, Ebbesen, Hanlon, Paver
The race for four four-year seats on the Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 school board is filled with strong candidates who prioritize continuing and expanding upon the academic excellence the district is known for. Of the seven candidates running, three are incumbents: Angela L. Blatner, Rob Hanlon and John K. Rutledge. Challenging them are Katy Ebbesen, Amy Erkenswick, Brooke Gennaro and Sara Paver.
A board member since 2021, Angela Blatner, a pediatric physical therapist from Wheaton whose youngest child is in high school, brings a unique viewpoint to the board by examining issues through the lens of a child neurological development specialist. She prides herself as an advocate for all children and families, and she embraces effective, collaborative communication by asking difficult questions and seeking information and feedback from a variety of sources, including the community, before making a recommendation. She would like the district to reconsider its current “no zero” grading system at the high school level.
Challenger Katy Ebbesen, a transactional attorney working in finance and fund management from Warrenville whose children are in high school, middle school, elementary school and eventually preschool, wants to be a voice for Warrenville, which she feels has been underrepresented on the board. She plans to focus on curriculum equity across the district, and use her professional background in finance to oversee budget items and big projects, such as the upcoming middle school renovations.
Strong governance and continuing to uphold and enhance academic excellence in Dist. 200 are priorities for current board President Rob Hanlon, who has served on the board for eight years and wants to see the middle school transformation projects through to completion as well as continue the Vision 2026 framework centered on “Portrait of a Graduate.”
A former high-achieving student in Dist. 200, Wheaton resident and Citizens Advisory Committee member Sara Paver understands firsthand the many excellent academic opportunities the district offers. As a mother of a young student with disabilities, she has been frustrated with the marginalization experienced by her elementary-school-age son, which is fueling her to advocate for all Dist. 200 schools to adopt an inclusive model of education. She would bring a unique perspective to the board.
Wheaton resident and mother of Dist. 200 students, Brooke Gennaro is focused on improving student learning, modernizing safety protocols (including self-locking doors, ballistic glass and smart sensors), transparency and fiscal responsibility. As a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee for five years, she values community engagement and prioritizing the needs of the students.
Wheaton resident, mother of five and Citizens Advisory Committee member Amy Erkenswick wants to bridge the gap between the school board and the community by advocating for those who feel unheard. As someone who touts herself as representing unbiased leadership, she’s not afraid to challenge the status quo and push for more transparency.
While incumbent John Rutledge’s experience on the board and his focus on governance and prioritizing academic excellence is a plus, we feel that the challengers offer an especially important variety of new ideas that would benefit Dist. 200.
Angela Blatner, Katy Ebbesen, Rob Hanlon and Sara Paver are endorsed.