District 109 Caucus Endorses Four Candidates for the 109 School Board

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2024

District 109 School Board Caucus Endorse Kelly Jakymiw, Kate Joyce, David Murav, and Remoun Abraham for District 109 School Board 

DEERFIELD, IL. (Tuesday, December 11) -- The District 109 School Board Caucus, a group of volunteer parents and community members, today announced the endorsement of a distinguished group of candidates for the School Board. The candidates will be running for four open seats in the April 1, 2025 election.

To gain the Caucus’ endorsement, these candidates participated in an extensive vetting process that included completing an application and interviews. 

The endorsed candidates are:

Kelly Jakymiw: A seasoned educator with a deep understanding of the unique needs of students, Kelly has served on the Deerfield School Board since 2021. Her experience as a special education teacher and her commitment to inclusive education make her an invaluable asset to our school district. Kelly has two children currently attending Shepard Middle School, one at Deerfield High School, and one attending college.

"I would be honored to continue serving on the Deerfield Public Schools 109 School Board to support the mission, vision, and strategic plan of the District," said Kelly Jakymiw. "Additionally, the District has important work in these next few years with master facility planning decisions. I would collaborate with the board and administration to bring together the voices of all stakeholders in planning what is best for the learners, the staff, and the future of our community." 

Kate Joyce: As a proud Deerfield High School alumna, Kate brings a wealth of business experience and a passion for public education to the school board. Her Corporate Social Responsibility and Change Management work at Veolia demonstrates her leadership abilities and her dedication to excellence. Kate has two children currently attending Wilmot Elementary School.

“I’m humbled and appreciative of the Caucus’s School Board endorsement.  Deerfield is a wonderful place to grow up and raise a family, and our community expects educational excellence along with fiscal responsibility,” said Kate Joyce.  “Being a member of our DPS 109 Policy and Finance Committees this year has demonstrated how our District prioritizes all learners with our practices and resources, and I’m eager to learn more and continue to serve as a member of the DPS 109 School Board.”

David Murav: With a strong background in finance and a commitment to educational equity, David is a powerful voice for our students. His past involvement with Teach for America Chicago Auxiliary Board highlights his dedication to providing quality education for all. David has two children, one currently attending Wilmot Elementary School.

“It is an honor to have received this endorsement. I have had passion for education since a young age and believe the best way for me to leverage my strengths and give back to the community is as a Member of the Board of Education,” added David Murav. “I will work hard to help drive our mission of ensuring students are academically and socially prepared for what follows. With a background in finance, I will also do my part to ensure we are thoughtful and responsible in how money is raised and spent in our District, and that we are planning not only for today but the decades to come.”

Remoun Abraham: As a parent of two Wilmot Elementary School students, Remoun has firsthand experience with the challenges and opportunities facing our schools. His participation in the DPS 109 Return to School Covid Task Force demonstrates his commitment to student safety and well-being. Remoun has two children currently attending Wilmot Elementary School.

“Accepting this nomination is both an honor and a meaningful opportunity to give back to a community that has welcomed my family with open arms since day one," said Remoun Abraham. "Deerfield has been our home for over 10 years, and I have seen firsthand the impact our schools have on shaping the future. I am dedicated to supporting policies and initiatives that empower our students, respect our educators, and strengthen our community. I also recognize the importance of listening to the voices of our neighbors and embracing the responsibility to serve with integrity, transparency, and care.”

Their endorsement reinforces our commitment to providing an exceptional education for every student in Deerfield. Together, we will continue to build upon the strong foundation of our schools and ensure a bright future for our children.

The Caucus Process

Caucus members are residents and parents in District 109, who come from a variety of personal and professional backgrounds. Nearly all have children in 109 schools. Most have served or are currently serving in various community and school district roles, including as part of Parent-Teacher Organizations (PTOs) and District 109 task forces.

The DPS District 109 Caucus is a nonpartisan, community-based organization dedicated to maintaining and expanding the tradition of excellence in Deerfield's elementary and middle schools. Candidate endorsement is central to the Caucus's commitment to the District 109 community. 

First-time Caucus member Julie Brash explained the process: "We first took the time to learn about current and upcoming issues in our schools and Deerfield community by attending board meetings and participating in discussions with key stakeholders such as Superintendent Mike Simek and School Board President Sari Montgomery. The caucus then screened, interviewed, and debated the eight candidates who applied for endorsement. Each candidate had the opportunity to share their strengths, interests and skills they would bring to the board. The Caucus engaged in rigorous debate, with each member sharing their perspectives on each candidate."

Live Interviews were held in October. All candidate interviews were conducted in person and were open to the public. Brash emphasized the Caucus's commitment to identifying the best candidates to serve the Deerfield community:  "Throughout this process, the Caucus’s focus remained on the needs of the D109 students, staff and broader Deerfield community."

For more information, please visit www.dps109caucus.org. 

Media Contact:

Shannon Sword

D109 Caucus Publicity Chair

224-456-5508
Sword@dps109caucus.org 

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