Judith Berlin
district 39 school Board
candidate video
responses to voter guide questions
Introduction:
Please tell us about yourself, your qualifications, and what prompted you to run for School Board?
My name is Judy Berlin and I am a candidate for school board in Wilmette School District 39.
My husband and I have been residents of Wilmette for over forty years. My children attended Wilmette District 39 schools and D39 provided a solid foundation for their education and their future. Now my grandchildren are enrolled in D39 schools and I want to ensure that their generation has access to the strong education opportunities for which Wilmette has always been known.
In my career choices and as a volunteer, I have spent my entire adult life committed to educational issues and improving student learning.
When my children were young, I volunteered in many capacities at the local, regional, and state- wide level. I served in many roles for the Romona PTA, including as its president, participated on local committees, including the D39 School Improvement Advisory Committee, and was appointed to the Illinois School and Parent Initiative, a state-wide summit and regional task force appointed by the governor.
In my professional life, I am a retired teacher. I have taught every grade level, kindergarten through eighth, and every academic discipline except global language.
I will bring to the Board table a wealth of experience and an understanding of the real-world impact of Board decisions.
Questions:
1. What do you see as the main priorities and challenges for the incoming school board?
In 1780, Abigail Adams wrote, “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” Two hundred and forty-five years later, her words still ring true. In an age that can be volatile and politically-charged, it is the responsibility of our local school board to make carefully informed decisions that focus on advancing the learning of our students.
2. What are your financial goals and concerns for D39 and how would you work to address them?
The current school board, and its predecessors, have been careful stewards of our district’s financial resources. Without seeking a referendum, they invested in maintenance of and physical improvements to the school buildings, and they adopted program changes that improved learning. Additionally, they have maintained fund balances that protect the district’s financial future. My goal would be to continue this standard of academic improvement coupled with fiscal responsibility.
3. What, if any, specific educational goals do you have for D39 and how would you work to achieve them?
I whole-heartedly support D34’s mission statement to engage, empower, and inspire students “to lead academically successful, socially responsible, compassionate, and purposeful lives.” Of course, we cannot meet these lofty goals without systematic program review. I do not have specific program concerns at this time, but I will support on-going program review that pays special attention to areas of potential improvement.
4. In 2023, Wilmette government agencies hired a shared Sustainability Coordinator to implement programs that protect our environment, conserve natural resources, and address the climate crisis. In what areas do you feel the School District has made the best use of this Coordinator's time, and where would you like to see increased focus?
Wilmette’s shared Sustainability Coordinator clearly has had an impact on decisions by the Wilmette Village and Park District Boards. In fact, I have noticed increased awareness of sustainability issues in the mailings that I receive from both of these entities. It is my understanding, however, that the Sustainability Coordinator has had less involvement with the District 39 school board. This is probably appropriate as the school board pays only a very small percentage of the overall cost of the Sustainability Coordinator’s position.
This could change, of course.
After a review of current curricula on conservation and the climate crisis, I would like to see Wilmette School District 39 lead the way in teaching children about the environment and in supporting new activities that promote sustainability.
Please tell us about yourself, your qualifications, and what prompted you to run for School Board?
My name is Judy Berlin and I am a candidate for school board in Wilmette School District 39.
My husband and I have been residents of Wilmette for over forty years. My children attended Wilmette District 39 schools and D39 provided a solid foundation for their education and their future. Now my grandchildren are enrolled in D39 schools and I want to ensure that their generation has access to the strong education opportunities for which Wilmette has always been known.
In my career choices and as a volunteer, I have spent my entire adult life committed to educational issues and improving student learning.
When my children were young, I volunteered in many capacities at the local, regional, and state- wide level. I served in many roles for the Romona PTA, including as its president, participated on local committees, including the D39 School Improvement Advisory Committee, and was appointed to the Illinois School and Parent Initiative, a state-wide summit and regional task force appointed by the governor.
In my professional life, I am a retired teacher. I have taught every grade level, kindergarten through eighth, and every academic discipline except global language.
I will bring to the Board table a wealth of experience and an understanding of the real-world impact of Board decisions.
Questions:
1. What do you see as the main priorities and challenges for the incoming school board?
In 1780, Abigail Adams wrote, “Learning is not attained by chance, it must be sought for with ardor and attended to with diligence.” Two hundred and forty-five years later, her words still ring true. In an age that can be volatile and politically-charged, it is the responsibility of our local school board to make carefully informed decisions that focus on advancing the learning of our students.
2. What are your financial goals and concerns for D39 and how would you work to address them?
The current school board, and its predecessors, have been careful stewards of our district’s financial resources. Without seeking a referendum, they invested in maintenance of and physical improvements to the school buildings, and they adopted program changes that improved learning. Additionally, they have maintained fund balances that protect the district’s financial future. My goal would be to continue this standard of academic improvement coupled with fiscal responsibility.
3. What, if any, specific educational goals do you have for D39 and how would you work to achieve them?
I whole-heartedly support D34’s mission statement to engage, empower, and inspire students “to lead academically successful, socially responsible, compassionate, and purposeful lives.” Of course, we cannot meet these lofty goals without systematic program review. I do not have specific program concerns at this time, but I will support on-going program review that pays special attention to areas of potential improvement.
4. In 2023, Wilmette government agencies hired a shared Sustainability Coordinator to implement programs that protect our environment, conserve natural resources, and address the climate crisis. In what areas do you feel the School District has made the best use of this Coordinator's time, and where would you like to see increased focus?
Wilmette’s shared Sustainability Coordinator clearly has had an impact on decisions by the Wilmette Village and Park District Boards. In fact, I have noticed increased awareness of sustainability issues in the mailings that I receive from both of these entities. It is my understanding, however, that the Sustainability Coordinator has had less involvement with the District 39 school board. This is probably appropriate as the school board pays only a very small percentage of the overall cost of the Sustainability Coordinator’s position.
This could change, of course.
After a review of current curricula on conservation and the climate crisis, I would like to see Wilmette School District 39 lead the way in teaching children about the environment and in supporting new activities that promote sustainability.