Crowded Field Of Summit Hill 161 Candidates Vie For Board: April 1 Election

FRANKFORT, IL — Election Day is here, and voters will decide on several local races, including 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. Several challengers are running against incumbent candidates after the decision.

The school district boundaries pull students from parts of Frankfort, Frankfort Square, Mokena and Tinley Park.

Patch also offered a candidate survey to all candidates, and several candidates running for Summit Hill Board of Education filled them out. (Links to candidate surveys below):

Candidates are:

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

The incumbent candidates; McCleish, Martin and Campbell are running with newcomer Gant as "Citizens for 161 Excellence." The group said it has established long-term fiscal stability, is student-focused, and has expanded the voice of the community by adding student board members and designing the parent guardian academy.

Candidates Berk, Chavez, Oliphant, Petrey and Ryan are also running together. The group "represents all areas of the district geographically," according to the candidates. The group includes two educators, a CPA, engineer and food service business professional.

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. on April 1. If you are already in line to vote when the polls close, you can still vote — so don't leave!

If you don't know your polling place, find it here.