Weinstock, Friend, Jendras, Heim Elected to District 87 Board of Education

Updated 9:43 a.m.

With all precincts reporting, newcomers Judith Weinstock and Jennifer Jendras and incumbents Richard Heim and Robert Friend have won the 2013 election to the Glenbard District 87 Board of Education. 

With 8,118 votes, Weinstock finished ahead of Friend with 8,006 votes, Jendras with 7,485 votes and Heim with 6,732 votes.

Six candidates ran for four seats on the board, including North Central College student Anthony Schullo and incumbent Tom Voltaggio. 

Judith Weinstock, who taught high school English for 33 years—32 of them at Glenbard West High School, said if elected, her top priority would be working to expand or reconfigure the school day to allow students more time to explore electives and classes that interest them.

"Since high school is probably the last opportunity for students to explore the arts, music, theater, or technical courses, it's important for the Glenbard schools to offer a comprehensive curriculum," she said in her Patch bio.

"For over half of my life I have been involved in education. I want to continue to have an impact on the education our children receive. Running for school board is the next logical step for me."

She wrote in an email Wednesday, "I want to thank the voters for giving me the opportunity to serve them.  I'm looking forward to expanding opportunities for our students."

Jendras is an Occupational Safety and Health Specialist for the U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and instructor at OSHA Training Institute and has been a member of the Environmental Concerns Committee  in the Village of Lombard for the past 10 years.

"I feel very humbled and honored to have been elected to the school board.  That so many people would trust me with this endeavor only makes me want work even harder to demonstrate my abilities in making solid decisions for this community I will be serving," Jendras wrote in an email Wednesday.

"What I am most excited to work on is getting more feedback from the community on what their needs are and how they feel about issues that the board will be voting on I want to be a candidate that is easy to approach. I want to make sure this school board continues to help provide an outstanding education for all our children with the resources it has available. Having a school board that focuses on student, faculty and parent input while being mindful that it is the trusted servant of the taxpayers' dollars will be a win win for the entire community," she added.

Heim wrote in an email Wednesday, "I am very happy to be chosen to serve another term on the Glenbard High School District 87 Board. We have done so much great work over the last 4 years and I am looking forward to continue the efforts of proving an excellent education for our students with a balanced budget for the communities we serve.”

Voltaggio wrote in an email Tuesday, "My message to the community is very similar win or lose. Glenbard is in a very exciting place right now, and I am proud to have been part of the team that has brought the District to its current position of growth in student performance and financial stability. If victorious, it is my intent to continue on the course that we've charted for the coming years. If I'm not re-elected, I will continue to be an advocate for the district and its programs. I have enjoyed my time on the Board."

The new board members will be inducted to the board at the May 6 meeting. 

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