Northwest suburban school board races begin to take shape

A number of school board races developed across the Northwest suburbs this week, as candidates filed nominating petitions to get their names on the April 2 ballot.

One of the more hotly contested races is expected to be in Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211, where the school board and teachers are at impasse in negotiations for a new contract, with the union threatening to strike next week.

Of the four incumbents whose terms are due to expire, three of them have filed to get on the ballot: Vice President Will Hinshaw, Peter Dombrowski and Steve Rosenblum. The first two were elected in 2015, while Rosenblum was appointed to fill a vacancy in 2017.

Also filing was Mark Cramer, a frequent board critic on fiscal issues who has managed campaigns for Republican opponents of Democratic State Rep. Fred Crespo; Matthew Saternus, who unsuccessfully ran for Schaumburg Township Elementary 54 school board in 2017; and Kimberly Cavill, who previously sought the board appointment in 2017.

Candidates started filing petitions to get on the ballot Monday. The last day of filing is Monday, Dec. 17.

Here's a rundown of who has filed so far throughout the Northwest suburbs. Except noted otherwise, the positions are for 4-year terms:

Maine Township High School District 207: Board Vice President Paula Besler and fellow incumbent Teri Collins have filed, along with newcomer Sheila Yousuf-Abramson, for three available seats.

Northwest Suburban High School District 214: Bill Dussling, a 20-year board member; Alva Kreutzer, a 19-year board member; and current Board Vice President Dan Petro, an 8-year board member, are running as a slate for re-election. The Supporters of District 214 establishment slate - undefeated in local elections since forming in 2007 - is so far unopposed.

Barrington Area Unit District 220: Angela Wilcox, a 4-year board member, is so far the only incumbent to file, joined by newcomers Mathew Gray and Leah Collister Lazzari. Three seats are up this election.

Palatine Township Elementary District 15: Incumbent Zubair Khan has filed along with newcomers Adam Bauske, Yuriy Figel, Samantha Ader and Wenda Hunt, with three seats available.

Wheeling Township Elementary District 21: Board Vice President Staci Allan, on the panel since 2007, is running again, while Jessica Riddick, appointed in 2017, is seeking her first full term. District 21 parent Stacy Hipsak Goetz is running for a third available seat on the board. Current board member Jennifer Tani, appointed in 2017, says she's not running due to professional and personal obligations.

Prospect Heights Elementary District 23: Incumbents Brian Greidanus, Carol Botwinski and Mari-Lynn Peters have filed for re-election. Five seats are up.

Arlington Heights Elementary District 25: Three incumbents have filed for three available positions: Board President Brian Cerniglia, Chad Conley (appointed in December 2017), and Scott Filipek (appointed in June 2018).

River Trails Elementary District 26: Board President Frank Fiarito, Vice President Donna Johnson and Samuel Bae, appointed in 2017, are seeking 4-year terms, while Robert Rognstad and Janine Freedlund, both appointed in October, are seeking 2-year terms.

Elgin Area School District U-46: Seven candidates have filed for four seats, including incumbent Jeanette Ward of West Chicago, who is running for a second term; John Devereux of Bartlett, who was appointed to the board in June; Eva Porter; Daniel Hancock; Tina Rio; Kathleen Thommes of Elgin; and Ina Silva-Sobolewski. Incumbent Phil Costello of Bartlett earlier announced he would not seek re-election.

Schaumburg Township Elementary District 54: Board President Mary Kay Prusnick and incumbent Bill Harper have filed, with three seats available.

Mount Prospect Elementary District 57: Incumbent Jennifer Kobus and newcomers Rachael Rothrauff, Kristine O'Sullivan and Kimberly Fay are running, with three seats open.

Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59: A crowded race is forming with seven candidates who have filed so far for three seats. They include: longtime board member Barbara Somogyi; Courtney Lang and Randall Reid, who are running together as a slate; Jim Goranson; Daniel Naumowicz; Lisa Griffin and Patricia Petrielli. Incumbent Tim Burns announced he is not running.

Des Plaines Elementary District 62: Incumbent Beth Morley is running, along with newcomers Jeanette Weller and Kelly Morrissey, for three open positions.

Rosemont Elementary District 78: Incumbents Christopher Stephens, Edward Muszynski and Grant Bailey are joined by newcomer Kristina Monaco for four open spots.

Kildeer Countryside Elementary District 96: Incumbents Mike Burns, Dina Manka and Meg Woodman are joined by newcomer Salma Syed in a race for three seats.

Aptakisic-Tripp Elementary District 102: Board President Ellyn Ross and incumbent Marnie Slavin Masur have filed, with three seats available.