Karen Bensfield
Age: 53
Profession: Homemaker
Education: Riverside-Brookfield High School, Western Illinois University
Political/community experience: North Riverside Little League board member, manager and coach; Ames School PTA president; Hauser Jr. High PTA board member; St. Mary’s CCD teacher; North Riverside Recreation Committee member; RBHS Boosters president.
Other experience: Office manager for an accounting office; special education teacher’s aide.
Top three concerns: Renovayion of the high school facilities; maintaining the high level of education at RBHS; continue to keep RBHS a large part of the community, including establishing a newsletter touting high school projects and events for community residents.
Martin Crowley
Age: 48
Profession: owner/operator Crowley Express Service of Brookfield.
Education: St. Patrick High School grad; attended St. Mary’s College (Winona, Minn.).
Political/community experience: Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208 board member (2005-present). Volunteer athletic director and coach at St. Cornelius School; volunteer, Rich Port YMCA Gym & Swim Program for eight years; Brookfield National Little League coach for three years; AYSO soccer coach for six years; North Riverside youth basketball coach for three years; board member, Lyons Swim Club for two years.
Top three concerns: Raising student achievement while maintaining a safe, comfortable learning environment and positive community relations; continue to keep RBHS in top financial shape; renovate the RB campus to include more science labs and updated safety and electrical systems.
Laura Hruska
Age: 42
Profession: Academic professional
Education: Morton West High School; Moody Bible Institute (BA in Jewish studies); University of Illinois-Chicago (BA in psychology, MA in evaluation and research).
Community/political experience: Des Plaines Valley Restoration Group, AWANA program at Calvary Bible Church in Oak Park, RBHS Patrons Council.
Other experience: Professional research involves issues of parity in medical education and success among Black and Hispanic students; has worked on developing curriculums for professional; has co-authored several papers in academic journals.
Top three concerns: Support the development of the new Zoo School curriculum; foster and support the current academic goals of the high school, including encouragement of AP courses; address and embrace RBHS’s changing and diverse “community” to take into account the needs of all students.
William McCloskey
Age: 45
Profession: VP/general manager of Texor Petroleum
Education: Riverside-Brookfield High School, Illinois State University (BS in business administration/economics).
Political/community experience: VP of RBHS Boosters; chair of the RB Golf Outing/Silent Auction; VP of Riverside Chamber of Commerce; Riverside Raiders basketball coach for seven years; Riverside Little League manager (three years); IHSA basketball official (nine years).
Other experience: Development/construction of Minuteman Convenience Center sites; developed Minuteman Classic high school basketball tournament.
Top three concerns: Balancing fiscal responsibility with state-of-the-art education; determine the most effective way to handle building and grounds improvements; continue to ensure positive learning environment, where teachers are given respect and also are held accountable for professionalism and effectiveness.
Olga Pribyl
Age: 44
Profession: Homemaker, retired attorney
Education: Northwestern University (BA political science); University of Notre Dame (law degree).
Political/community experience: Advisory board member at Cathedral High School; member, PARC Commission on Human Rights; former treasurer and board member, Chicago Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section; room parent, library and cultural arts volunteer; youth soccer coach.
Other experience: Formerly a due process hearing officer at the Illinois State Board of Education; attorney for 13 years concentrating on school law, disability rights, employment discrimination and mental health law.
Top three concerns: Continuing academic excellence at RBHS; identifying and formulating a land use/facilities plan; continued financial stability of RBHS.
Luann Stirek
Age: 51
Profession: Homemaker
Education: Pierce High School (Pierce, Neb.), NE Nebraska Technical College.
Political/community experience: past president, Riverside Junior Women’s Charity; Riverside Improvement Committee member; Blythe Park PTA since 1995; Hauser PTA since 2002; RBHS Patrons Council, Music Sponsors and Booster Club member; co-chair of the 2004 District 96 referendum committee; Sunday School teacher and coordinator, board member and choir member at Concordia Lutheran Church in Berwyn; youth softball coach.
Top three concerns: Remodeling the RBHS campus; preparing for a future RBHS referendum; continuing RBHS’ academic success.
