Meet the Candidates: New Trier High School District 203 Board of Education (uncontested)

Four candidates, three of whom are incumbents, are running unopposed for four seats on the New Trier High School Board of Education.

Below are basic profiles of the three candidates, each of whom submitted a digital form upon request from The Record. The order they are presented was selected at random.

These profiles are a layer of The Record’s election coverage and are meant to provide community members with basic information about those running for and taking public office. The Record will not conduct independent interviews for uncontested races.

Name: Avik Das

Residence: Glenview

Professional experience: Community corrections and public safety policy professional and attorney

Community experience/involvement: Incumbent New Trier High School Board of Education member and vice president of TrueNorth Education Cooperative 804 Leadership Council. Over 25 years of public service in Cook County government with participation in numerous civic activities particularly in the area of violence prevention and justice reform.

Why are you running for reelection to this public office?

The New Trier area public school system including its high school and feeder district schools reflect our community’s generations-long commitment to supporting the success of children and young people. Serving as a member of the high school board of education, I am able to help fulfill that commitment and ensure our public schools remain a vibrant resource for generations to come.

Name: Joo Serk Lee

Residence: Wilmette

Professional experience: Technology

Community experience/involvement: I was previously a member of the New Trier Caucus and have been a baritone in the not-for-profit a capella singing group The Sheridan Singers for three seasons.

Why are you running for this public office?

As an immigrant that has benefited greatly from public education (in my case the Chicago Public School system), a resident of Wilmette for almost 20 years, and the father of three children who are attending or graduated from New Trier High School, I appreciate this community and the value of its resources, and how important they are in elevating quality of life for all residents. As an expert in technology with experience managing large for-profit business portfolios, I believe I will be able to bring valuable perspectives to help further execute the board’s strategic vision.

Name: Sally Tomlinson

Residence: Winnetka

Professional experience: D36 substitute teacher (Winnetka), Leo Burnett Advertising (Chicago), Nations Bank (Charlotte), MBA (Northwestern/Kellogg, concentrations in marketing and finance)

Community experience/involvement: Currently: New Trier School Board (vice president), Wentcher Foundation (board member). Former: NT member of 2030 Strategic Planning Committee, NT editor Parents Press, NT room parent, Washburne Parent Book Group leader, Washburne co-chair Annual Fundraiser, Hubbard Woods Great Books Program chair and leader, co-chair WCNS Children’s Fair, sponsor Learn Charter School

Why are you running for reelection to this public office?

I have always believed a strong public education is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. It’s one reason we moved to the North Shore. And, it’s one reason I’ve spent the last 20 years volunteering and substitute teaching in our schools, sponsoring a charter school, and serving on a foundation board that provides scholarships to college-bound CPS seniors. I am grateful for the experiences my two children had all the way through New Trier and I am committed to making sure that future generations of children have the same opportunities for personal and academic growth.

Name: Kimberly Alcantara

Residence: Wilmette

Professional experience: Attorney, University of Michigan Law School J.D.

Community experience/involvement: I’ve been a Wilmette resident for 23 years. Our three children are NT graduates. I am deeply committed to volunteerism, having served in many capacities on PTA/PTOs, local boards, for two terms on the District 39 school board, and am currently finishing my first term on the NT School Board.

Why are you seeking reelection to this public office?

Each of our children followed different paths at NTHS, with varied interests and challenges. I attribute a great deal of their post-high school successes to their experiences at NTHS and see my service as a NT School Board member as a way of giving back to students, families, and residents of District 203. I also am an attorney specializing in complex commercial transactions. I believe my connections as a parent and resident within New Trier Township, my extensive community volunteerism, and my professional experience all contribute significantly to my effective service on the New Trier School Board.

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