9 Candidates Up For 4 Seats On District 200 Board: Election 2023

WHEATON, IL — Nine candidates are in the running for four seats on the Community Unit School District 200 Board of Education. Two candidates are facing off for one unexpired two-year term and seven are vying for three open seats with full four-year terms.

Unexpired Two-Year Term

Kimberly Hobbs

Kimberly Hobbs earned a bachelor's degree in Christian education from Wheaton College and has lived in Wheaton for three decades, according to her campaign page. Hobbs and her husband, Steven, have seven children who attended District 200 schools.

In her campaign video, Hobbs said she aims to "expose our children's minds to history's transcendent works, which instill a love of virtue truth and beauty."

Hobbs is on the Parents for District 200 slate, along with David A. Sohmer, Spencer Garrett and Amanda "Amy" Erkenswick.

John K. Rutledge

John K. Rutledge has served on the Wheaton City Council and on the budget committee for College of DuPage, according to his campaign site. He works as a commercial realtor, which he feels will help him address facility issues throughout District 200.

Rutledge's website states, "With over twenty buildings, District 200 has many roofs, HVAC systems, parking lots, security systems, and other components that need attention. I believe my experience can be useful in the Board’s oversight role."

Full Four-Year term

Dave Long (incumbent)

Dave Long currently serves as secretary of the District 200 board. On his campaign site, Long says he went to private Catholic schools in Chicago because the public school options were less ideal. He writes, "It’s very refreshing to live in a community where that is not the case. The quality of education in District 200, as well as the safety and well-being of the students being a priority, have always made us very comfortable with the choice to have our children attend our local public schools."

Long's platform supports community transparency, emotional learning and limiting tax referendums until the district's debt has been paid.

Amanda "Amy" Erkenswick

Amanda "Amy" Erkenswick has been a room parent at Emerson Elementary and has two children in District 200 with her husband, Mark. In her campaign video, Erkenswick says, "I believe parents should be welcomed with open arms to engage with and through our district schools and administration."

Erkenswick is on the Parents for District 200 slate, along with David A. Sohmer, Spencer Garrett and Kimberly Hobbs.

Spencer Garrett

Spencer Garrett "has strong discernment for what is right and is not afraid to stand up for the disadvantaged, marginalized, or struggling student" because he grew up with dyslexia, his campaign page states. He states in his campaign video that he wants students to feel joy for learning and that "preserving childhood is what I'm passionate about."

Garrett is on the Parents for District 200 slate, along with David A. Sohmer, Kim Hobbs and Amanda "Amy" Erkenswick.

Erik C. Hjerpe

Erik C. Hjerpe has three children who attend District 200 schools. He studied business at Wesleyan University and Keller Graduate School of Management.

Hjerpe's website states, "Building consensus, creative problem-solving, empathy, project management, the ability to approach a topic from different angles, knowing when to engage subject matter experts, and the ability to develop and execute strategy are among the strengths that I will bring to this role."

Hjerpe's platform prioritizes social-emotional learning initiatives and diversity and conclusion, along with facility improvements among the district's middle schools.

David A. Sohmer

David A. Sohmer earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Wheaton College. In the years since, Sohmer has been the Chair of the Board of Deacons at Wheaton College and is a commissioner on the city's Community Relations Commission.

His campaign page states, "He also has a deep concern about students with special needs to ensure they are not left behind but get the excellent education that they deserve. David believes that education is a foundational element of our society, and this is what is underlying his desire to serve on the CUSD 200 Board of Education."

Sohmer is on the Parents for District 200 slate, along with Amy Erkenswick, Spencer Garrett and Kimberly Hobbs.

Julie Kulovits (incumbent)

Julie Kulovits is seeking a second term on the District 200 board after having been appointed in 2022 to fill a vacant spot. She has three students in District 200 and has served as a classroom parent and reading aide.

In a campaign video for the League of Women Voters, Kulovits said "I want to make sure that the education we provide to students in our district taps into" the expertise of current educators and "not the personal or political viewpoints of board members."

Anjali Bharadwa

Anjali Bharadwa has three children who attend District 200 schools. She holds a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and has worked at a consulting firm for more than a decade, currently holding a senior director role.

On her campaign website, Bharadwa states, "I am running to provide a fresh perspective and diversity in thought for District 200 School Board. I have been a parent to a child attending a district 200 schools for the past 11 years and will be for 8 years to come. I bring experience along with the vested interest in seeing our district succeed. The School Board is supposed to be a reflection of the community it serves. I feel that there are many gaps in our representation that I could fill. I am a woman with a career in technology as a Senior Director, and I am a racial and religious minority."

Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. April 4. Click the link to learn more about voting locations in DuPage County.