Amy Berk: Candidate For Summit Hill 161 Board Of Education

FRANKFORT, IL — The consolidated election, which features several local races, will be held on April 1, with early voting starting on March 17. As a way to help keep voters informed, Patch offers candidate questionnaires for all candidates in local races.

One of those races in Frankfort is the race for Summit Hill District 161 Board of Education. There are two candidates running for one unexpired 2-year term; and eight candidates running for four 4-year terms.

The Summit Hill race is slightly crowded and contentious, in part due to a December 2023 vote by the Board to close two of the District's schools. The school district boundaries pull students from parts of Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Mokena and Tinley Park.

One of those candidates is Amy Berk, who is an incumbent running for a 4-year term. Berk recently filled out the Patch candidate questionnaire, and her answers can be found below:

Your Name:

Amy L. Berk

Campaign website:

https://www.facebook.com/share...

Age (as of election day):

44

Town/city of residence:

Frankfort

School district:

Summit Hill 161

Family. (Names, ages and any pertinent details you wish to share.):

Jeffrey Berk (married 16 years)
Lyra (14 years old)
Daisy (dog)
Mom Dad and sister also live in Frankfort

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government? This includes any relatives who work in the government you're running for.

No one in my family currently works in government or politics. I am honored to come from a family that served our hometown community of Oak Forest. My dad is a retired Policeman who served for 33 years and my mother worked as an advocate for others as an Alderman.

Education:

I earned my bachelors in history with a minor in education from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. My masters in Educational leadership was earned at Lewis University.

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

For over 23 years I have had the joy of teaching high school History. In that position I have served as a teacher leader and PLC leader for US History.

Previous or current elected or appointed office:

I am currently a seated board member of Summit Hill 161 ending my first term.

The most pressing issues facing our district are _______, and this is what I intend to do about them.

The most pressing issues facing our district include communication between the components necessary for student growth, moving forward post school consolidations, and student’s academic readiness for high school. Our staff, admin, board and community all have to work together to support each other and help students succeed. The community perception is that there is a lack of communication between the board or district and the community. People feel that their voices are not being heard and this was especially compounded during the school consolidation process. Clear and Proactive communication as well as taking time to process community and staff input during decision making will make headway to a stronger relationship between the district and community. I have already started to do this as co-chair of the Community Outreach Committee and advocating for a town hall. I have a voting record that reflects thoughtful processing of community and staff input. In addition, the community does need to move forward post school consolidations. I plan to go to the community and staff to look at building usage in the future such as what Mary Drew Early Learning Center will be utilized for in future expansion. Finally, the common goal is the growth and success of our students and their academic readiness for high school. I am willing to examine IAR scores and work with our teachers and other feeder districts to make sure our students are not only ready for the rigor of the Lincoln Way curriculum, but leading the pack. This includes not only emphasis on reading, writing, and math, but also opportunities with stem, exposure to the trades, and opportunities in fine arts programs.

Should cell phones be banned during school? Why or why not?

As an educator at the high school level, I recognize the impact cell phones have had on the classroom and student learning as well as the student safety aspect of students having access to devices in case of an emergency. Our district’s current cell phone policy in the student handbook based on board policy 7:190 calls for cell phones to be off and in backpacks in lockers. It calls devices to not be used in a manner that disrupts education policy. The devices are powered off unless otherwise banned by policy or Principal. I would have to look at feedback from staff as to what degree if any there are major issues with violations of this policy and get feedback and data. As an elementary district I would anticipate a lower number. If any policy has staff support and is followed consistently, there should be no need for a ban.

If you are a challenger, what do you bring to the board and what may you plan to change?

I am an incumbent currently completing my first term on the board.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform:

“Growth with respect” are words I have and will continue to serve by. I want to be part of the board that creates a culture of respect which ultimately benefits students and student growth. The board represents the parents and the community. The board acts as a support for Administration and Teachers to do their jobs. Ultimately the end goal of collaboration is to provide our students with the best foundation and education. I believe in common sense and service leadership.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

As a board member, I have negotiated a teacher’s contract that was fair to the staff and the taxpaying community and took steps to rebuild the relationship between staff and the board during the process. I’ve worked with changing board members and stayed true to my values of respect and professionalism. As a teacher, I have served as a teacher leader, run our Professional Learning Communities, Taught new teachers in professional development, created presentations on behalf of our department. In these roles, I have been a mediator between administration and staff, have mediated between peers, unpacked and aligned standards, and managed tasks.

Why should voters trust you?

A board member represents the community. My voting record shows that what they voted for is what they got. I voted no to school consolidation based on community feedback, staff feedback, as well as data. I am available and approachable and am willing to listen to all sides of an issue I listened to the community prior to serving on the board, I have shown that I can represent by attending and speaking at meetings. I kept my calm and focus and respect during these meetings.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office a success?

Success in this case is not just determined by one person. Success will be working with the other board members for the benefit of our students as seen in their growth and progress. Success is leaving the district better for the next round of families moving into the 161 district because it is a fantastic district. Success will be growth in rebuilding the relationship between all the components of what makes our students and community succeed. Success will be watching our students grow to become competitive, thoughtful, leading high school students and citizens creating a sense of pride in our district.

What guidance should staff be given for dealing with potential ICE enforcement at schools?

When doing research, minimal ICE enforcement incidents have happened surrounding schools between 2017 and 2019. Schools are typically treated by ICE as safe zones. Our school counseling resources can be utilized by individuals or families as needed if they feel their circumstances require it. We already have board policy or guidelines in place when complying with government agencies and law enforcement.

How do you feel about sex education being taught in school? Should an LGBTQ component be included, and why or why not?

Our current handbook and board policy 6:50-6:60 provides health classes at the junior high while also giving parents the right to decline those classes for their students without any punitive repercussions for the student. I agree with that policy. I wholeheartedly respect the individual choices and journeys for the LGBTQ community, but also fully respect that LGBTQ education should be an individual family choice as well, especially with the young ages of our students we serve. It is up to individual families in how they introduce that to their children.

When it comes to student achievement, what are schools within this district doing well and what needs to be improved? How can those improvements be made?

I am proud that my daughter went through our district. There are so many positive things we do for our students. We offer accelerated and Summit programs for identified students at 5th -8th grade. Our staff is providing interventions for those students that would benefit. Walker for instance offers a variety of clubs sports and activities to supplement student academics. We offer STEM classes at 5th -8th grade as well as communication classes at the junior high. At all levels from the Board to staff we are looking at student achievement based on test scores and working hard to identify what will help our students grow. You can be proud of your district and still recognize room for growth. We can continue to work together to examine how to help our students not just grow but surpass high expectations and have scores that reflect a leadership level in the surrounding neighborhoods. We can increase gifted support at younger grade levels. We can expand accelerated at upper levels. We can continue to listen to our staff and evaluate the rigor of curriculum and increase exposure to higher level content.

Is there any reason you would not serve your full term of office, other than those of health or family?

This was a well thought out and talked about decision to volunteer and put my name in to run again for this position. I consulted family and friends and decided that I will continue to be able to make a 100% commitment to this community. If I am honored to serve this community again, this will be my second and final term.

(If you are a candidate in the upcoming April 1 election, please email andrea.earnest@patch.com for a candidate questionnaire to share your positions with readers)

Frankfort Election Guide: What’s On The Ballot, What To Know

Here is a look at the candidates for Summit Hill District 161:

• Board Member, unexpired 2-year term (vote for one)
  • Katie Campbell (incumbent)
  • Melissa Ryan
• Board member, four-year term (vote for four)
  • Stefanie McCleish (incumbent)
  • Amy Berk (incumbent)
  • Adrian Chavez
  • Patrick Oliphant
  • Ronnie Petrey
  • Jim Martin (incumbent)
  • Cicily Gant
  • Bill Curtin