John M. Allegretti
Age: 39
Profession: Attorney, Cook County State’s Attorney
Education: Fenwick High School, University of Illinois (BA), St. Thomas University School of Law (law degree).
Political/community experience: Vice president/member, Galewood Montclare Community Organization.
Other experience: Hearing officer for the Illinois Property Tax Appeals Board; former associate in a private law firm that concentrated in real estate property tax appeals; Cook County Assistant State’s Attorney, Real Estate Tax Division.
Top three concerns: Ensure revenue and financial viability for District 96 by monitoring and intervening in the real estate assessment process; maximize facility space to serve growing student population; facilitate open communication between parents, teachers and students through scheduled forums and workshops.
Linda Bade
Profession: Nurse anesthetist
Education: DePaul University (BS in nursing; MS in nurse anesthesia), Ravenswood School of Nurse Anesthesia.
Political/community experience: current member of the District 96 board; youth soccer and basketball coach for Riverside Recreation.
Other experience: Pediatric life support instructor; provide anesthesia to children on medical missions in the Philippines and Guatemala.
Top three concerns: Target children who do not meet state test score standards and develop programs to improve their scores; design a program that tracks the academic progress all children from kindergarten through eighth grade and have it be accessible to parents; examine population growth trends to plan for future facility use/expansion.
Cheryl Berdelle
Age: 49
Profession: Attorney
Education: Northwestern University (BA); IIT/Chicago-Kent College of Law (law degree).
Political/community experience: District 96 School board member (1997-present), school board president (2003-05); co-chair, District 96 1997 referendum committee.
Other experience: Admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1982; practice concentrated in family law.
Top three concerns: Facilitating the transition of a new district superintendent/management team; guiding and implementing a new long-range plan; continuing the challenge of maintaining differentiated instruction.
Nancy Jensen
Age: 51
Profession: Homemaker
Education: Iowa State University (BS geology); University of Iowa (MS computer science).
Political/community experience: District 96 school board member (Nov. 2001-present); president Blythe Park PTA (2000-01); active member of the Hauser PTA and Riverside Garden Club.
Top three concerns: Seek out improvements in all areas of District 96 to nurture and challenge every student; monitor growing school enrollment and identify options for facilities; continue fiscal responsibility to make sure every dollar spent is focused on district goals.
Ben Sells
Age: 50
Profession: Writer and owner of Fairwind Sail Charters
Education: University of North Carolina-Greensboro (BA history), Southern Methodist University (MA philosophical psychology), IIT-Chicago-Kent College of Law (law degree).
Political/community experience: Treasurer of 2004 District 96 referendum committee.
Other experience: Teaches sailing; writes and lectures on psychological aspects of contemporary life and culture; has written numerous articles and two books related to the field of psychology; practiced law at Jenner & Block and operated a private psychotherapy practice in Chicago.
Top three concerns: Maintain educational excellence within appropriate fiscal constraints; reform the current tax appeals system; oversee hiring of new teachers and staff.
Richard Volpe
Age: 49
Profession: Attorney
Education: Riverside-Brookfield High School; Eastern Illinois University (BS history, teaching certificate); DePaul University College of Law (law degree).
Political/community experience: District 96 school board member (2001-present), chair of the Finance Committee and member of the Education Committee; former member of the District 96 Long Range Planning Committee; current member, Village of Brookfield Personnel Board; past member, Brookfield Plan Commission; past member, board member Brookfield Kiwanis.
Other experience: Commercial arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association; chair-qualified arbitrator for the Circuit Court of Cook County; active member, Hollywood PTA and Hollywood House Association.
Top three concerns: Provide quality education while supporting small class sizes, cultural experience, character building, fine arts and music; negotiate a fair, fiscally responsible teacher contract; try to impact legislation relating to property tax appeals to ensure fiscal stability.
