Kelly Jakymiw is a parent of four who has lived in Deerfield for 17 years, with extensive experience teaching special education and serving the 109 community and its schools. All four of her children are either in, or have gone through, District 109 schools. She currently has two children at Shephard Middle School, one at Deerfield High School, and a Freshman in College. 

Kelly has been on the District 109 Board since 2021. She is currently the Secretary and in this role also serves as the Board President of the the TrueNorth Educational Cooperative 804.  "As a current DPS109 Board Member, I strive to uphold the principles of governance and hold myself accountable to board responsibilities without overstepping onto administration and operational responsibilities," Kelly shared.  "Having served on boards for many years, I believe in the principles of cordial and cooperative collaboration, creating room for diverse viewpoints while working towards a common goal, and making thoughtful but hard decisions. "

When asked how she would balance the expectations for educational excellence and fiscal responsibility,  Kelly responded, "The board has continuous conversations on the budget, budgetary goals, expenditures per pupil, fund balances, and capital projects. We are also asked to approve investments in new curriculum and professional development for staff. By passing yearly balanced budgets, developing long range financial plans, getting expertise guidance, and maintaining strong relationships with DESSA/DEA, the board can continue to strengthen DPS109. I believe that is why the conversation on the master facility planning is so timely and important. We have an opportunity as a community to make long term investments in our schools so that we don't find ourselves a decade from now with buildings that are unable to safely serve students."

Background

The valedictorian of Cary-Grove High School in 1999, she went on to study at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's College of Education. In 2002, she graduated with her B.S. in special education. She completed her Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction through National Louis University in April 2024.  

Kelly worked for the Northern Suburban Special Education District (NSSED), of which D109 is a member, as a special education teacher and consultant for eight years. She also taught at Ravinia Elementary in Highland Park and Wilmot as part of the NSSED.

Currently, Kelly is also the treasurer of the nonprofit, Deerfield-based Pegasus FC travel soccer club since 2018 and volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and with the Gratitude Generation. In the past, she was an active member of the Walden Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO), serving as PTO co-president/president emeritus, treasurer, and the chair of several committees.