Two incumbents — board President Richard Kerns II and Julie Stone — as well as challenger Erika Garcia appear to have won four-year seats on the West Aurora School District board in Tuesday’s election.
There were six candidates vying for three open seats on the West Aurora School District 129 school board in the April 1 election. The other candidates were Austin FitzCorbett, Cesar Valdez and Ana Cuevas.
According to unofficial final results in the contest, Stone was the top vote-getter with 22.47% of the votes, Garcia received 18.45% and Kerns earned 17.71% of the votes in Tuesday’s election. FitzCorbett got 15.55% of the votes, Cuevas received 14.81% and Valdez earned 11.01%, according to the unofficial Kane County election results.
“I have a passion for education and want to see our schools become the best that they can be for our students, so that no matter what they want to do post high school, they are positioned for success,” said Kerns, who appears to have won a third term on the school board, in remarks going into the election. “We have a great district and community, and I want to help lift our district to even higher levels.”
Stone appears to have won her second term on the West Aurora board.
“During these last four years, I have absolutely loved all of the opportunities to celebrate our students and staff as they grow, learn and succeed in many different ways,” Stone said in remarks during her campaign.
Stone would continue to support students through academics and other activities, she said.
“I want to do everything I can to help support academic achievement and social-emotional health for all students in District 129. I want to see the rich history of West Aurora continue to grow as we promote opportunity and equity for all students. I also want to promote an environment of collaboration, trust and respect within our district and in our community,” she has said.
Garcia is a behavioral health therapist at a community mental health facility and has prior experience as a social worker in West Aurora School District, she said.
“As a Latina and first-generation American, I want to bring the voice of my community to the table. My background as a community social worker has allowed me to build strong connections, and I hope to use that experience to elevate the support services available in our district. As a board member, I will work to strengthen those connections and advocate for the resources our students and families need to thrive,” she said in comments during her campaign.
One of her primary reasons for seeking election is to be an advocate for mental health awareness and restorative justice in schools, she said.
“Mental health support is crucial for student growth and success,” she has said.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
