Election 2025: Orland District 135 Board Candidate Elizabeth Jobb

ORLAND PARK, IL — The consolidated election is set for April 1, and there are four spots open on the Orland District 135 Board of Education.

Ten candidates are jockeying for the seats, including incumbents Elizabeth Jobb and Nichole Browner. Other candidates include Deborah L. Scumaci, Aisha Zayyad, Jennifer Durkin-Fekete, Ray Morandi, Chad Capps, Vince Oluwaleke, Kelly Chmielewski, and Daniel Finlayson.

Orland School District 135 is a 10-school elementary district serving roughly 5,200 students in Early Childhood through 8th grade. Its board consists of seven members each serving four-year terms.

Candidate:

Elizabeth Jobb

Age (as of election day):

48

Campaign website:

Elizabeth Jobb for Orland District 135 Board of Education

Town/city of residence:

Orland Park

School district:

Orland District 135

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

I am married and we have 2 sons, one current student and one graduate of D135.

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

Not to my knowledge.

Education:

University of Illinois (MS and BS in Kinesiology)

Occupation. Please include years of experience.

IT Project Management, 19 years

Previous or current elected or appointed office*:

Orland 135 School Board Member (Vice President)

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

The most pressing issue facing our district is prioritizing education and student success for all while adhering to constantly evolving mandates and laws as a public school. Using local governance over the last 4 years we have been able to increase academic rigor and provide more resources and support for our students at every academic level while staying fiscally responsible to our taxpayers. However, I believe we can and should always strive to do better. I pay attention to legislation that impacts education and advocate for common sense, education driven policies. I will continue to vet district expenditures and promote quality staff retention while ensuring every decision influences student success.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

My experience on the school board for the last 4 years and as Vice President for the last 2 years gives me a definitive advantage. I have cultivated relationships with D135 board members, administration, and staff along with D135 families and community members. I am familiar with our district curriculum, budget, grants and funding, school building projects, safety initiatives, student programming, academic assessment, achievement, and grading, state educational mandates and reporting, technology use and integration, attendance and class sizes, and staff professional development. I am also a D135 parent and lifelong resident of Orland Park, with a strong history of volunteering in D135 and the community. I have proven leadership, organizational and decision-making skills. Most importantly, I have and will continue to honor my elected duty to be the voice of our community, asking difficult questions and pushing for accountability and excellence.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community or district?

N/A

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

I support continuing to focus on student growth across all academic levels as well as hiring and retaining the best teachers and staff to ensure student success through an exceptional educational experience. I believe we should foster a positive relationship with the community through transparency and outreach. I also reinforce the promise to responsibly manage taxpayer money through a student-focused budget.

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

As a current board member, I have successfully worked to:

- Address overcrowding and promote facility upgrades and balance across the schools
- Increase academic rigor including Math and English/Literacy curriculum updates
- Restore a traditional letter-based grading scale
- Renew emphasis on cursive and keyboarding skills
- Implement an 8th grade to high school transition program
- Concentrate on concerns regarding student behavior, and
- Improve communication and collaboration between all stakeholders.

Why should voters trust you?

I have a vested interest in this district as a parent and taxpayer, so every decision made can ultimately affect my own family, as well as friends and neighbors. Also, as a current board member I have addressed every issue that inspired me to volunteer 4 years ago.

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

My goal is to help improve the D135 educational experience and see tangible results in student achievement, quality staff retention, and community transparency and engagement while encouraging an efficient and student-centered budget. I am proud to be both a D135 graduate and board member and want our district to continue to excel and attract families and staff for future generations.

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

Our staff is guided by a combination of federal law, state law, and district policies. Under federal law, unless there is an emergency or a criminal warrant, ICE agents are not permitted to enter schools to arrest students or family members. The Illinois Trust Act limits local law enforcement cooperation with ICE. Schools are also obligated to protect student privacy under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

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

D135 uses an age and developmentally appropriate health education curriculum that focuses on growth and development, mental and emotional health, family life and health, nutrition, and substance use prevention. It is important to note that Illinois law allows parents to choose to opt their student out of any sex education instruction.

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

D135 already has cell phone guidelines defined in the Student/Parent Handbook and reinforced by administration multiple times throughout the year. These guidelines state that cell phones must be off and away during the regular school day with limited exceptions such as with staff permission, specified use in an IEP, or in the case of an emergency that threatens safety.

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?

D135 schools are already increasing academic rigor, creating connections with students and families, and offering countless options for student programming. I would like to see a continued emphasis on student growth, ongoing curriculum evaluation, more collaboration between the schools and grade levels, stronger family and community engagement, and consistency in services across the district. I believe this all begins with dedicated leadership providing clear expectations and assistance, staff stability and community support.

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

No.