Sari Montgomery: D109 School Board Candidate

Name: Sari Montgomery

Campaign Website: www.Sari4D109.org

How long have you lived in Deerfield?

I have lived in District 109 (in Riverwoods) since 2004.

Are you an incumbent?  No

What political accomplishments are you most proud of?

This is the first time I have sought elective office.

What professional accomplishments are you most proud of?

I am very proud of some of the investigations and prosecutions I conducted while a senior litigation counsel at the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois (the agency charged with regulating lawyers), which made a difference in protecting the public and promoting ethical practices in the legal profession.

I also take great pride in my teaching experience at Loyola Law School. There were many challenging students with broad ranging abilities and I went to great lengths to ensure that each student was successful and reached their full potential.    

What are the three most important issues facing the District 109 Board of Education?

1. Rebuilding a more collaborative relationship of mutual respect and trust between the teachers, administration, parents and board, after the past several years of decline in those relationships, is the most important issue facing District 109.
2. Adopting and implementing a long range facilities plan that will meet the needs of students now and for the foreseeable future, but which will not jeopardize the fiscal heath of the district, keeping in mind the possibility/probability that the State will shift the cost of funding some or all of teacher pensions back to local school districts.
3. Addressing the issues regarding the delivery of special education services which have recently come to light.

How do you distinguish yourself from your opponents?

I am the only candidate who has been attending D109 Board meetings regularly for the past four years and am very familiar with the financial, curricular, facilities, strategic planning, and personnel issues facing our district.

I also have had personal exposure to nearly all aspects of educational services offered in the District through my children, one of whom is in gifted education, one in special education, and one who needs differentiated instruction in the regular education curriculum, which gives me unique insights into the relative strengths and weaknesses of a broad range of educational issues.

My extensive PTO experience and participation on the DPS109 Caucus and community selection committee for the Caruso principal also distinguish me from the other candidates.

What is your professional background?

I am an attorney with a private practice focused on legal ethics. I provide professional responsibility consulting services primarily to lawyers, and represent lawyers in disciplinary proceedings. I was formerly a prosecutor with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission of the Supreme Court of Illinois for 11 years.

I also recently taught at Loyola University Law School for five years, and previously represented juveniles in criminal proceedings as a contract attorney for the Lake County Public Defender.

What is your educational background?

I have a B.A. in Public Policy Studies from the University of Chicago and a J.D. from Loyola University School of Law.

What other information would you like to share?

I believe that educating our children is one of our most important responsibilities, both as parents and as a community, and that taking an active part in that process is critical to maintaining and improving the high quality education we enjoy in this district.

I see serving on the board as taking my active involvement in the district to the next level, and believe that my experiences both within and outside the district will enable me to contribute to the continued growth of all the students in the district.

In addition to my professional experience, through my service on the executive board and as board president of Highland Park Community Nursery School and Day Care Center, I understand the role of the Board as a policy-making body with oversight authority and responsibility, that has to balance the needs of students, staff, and parents.

I have also served on the Board of the Community Family Center in Highland Park since 2006 which gives me valuable insights into the challenges the district faces in dealing with multiple governmental agencies, as well as numerous constituencies.