Endorsements

Over the 10-plus years we have known Nate, we’ve been impressed by his keen mind along with his even keeled and compassionate character. He will bring a much needed perspective to the D200 Board.

We enthusiastically endorse Nate and Josh for D200! As Oak Park parents who had three daughters graduate from OPRFHS, we trust Nate and Josh to set policies that will ensure all students receive a challenging education that sets them up for future success in the same way our daughters were. Considering our respective careers as a psychologist and a defense counsel, we appreciate that both candidates have backgrounds that prove they value listening to all sides and considering all facts before making decisions. And as our kids have all graduated, we know that maintaining the high standards of OPRF — while keeping a close eye on what the school spends — is important to reinforce our real estate investment in addition to guaranteeing a good and safe education for current and future students.

As longtime River Forest residents, we enthusiastically endorse Nate and Josh for the D200 board. Their priorities are exactly what our community needs: safety, inclusivity, equality of opportunity and good stewardship. They also possess the wisdom and judgment so necessary for the effective governance of our high school.

We wholeheartedly endorse Nate and Josh for D200. We can’t think of two more trustworthy and hardworking individuals to do what’s right for the students and families in D200. As the parents of a current high school student and parents to two future Huskies, we want a school that is safe and is challenging for each child who attends. As a third generation OPRF family, help us elect Nate and Josh and help us keep a high school that is outstanding in every way.

From my discussions with them, Josh and Nate want the best for all D200 students, from being challenged academically to being safe on campus. And they want responsible stewardship of D200 resources.

We believe in Josh and Nate’s vision for the OPRFHS student community of understanding and respect for all.

We’ve known Nate Mellman since we moved to Oak Park nearly 25 years ago and wholeheartedly endorse him for the District 200 School Board.  Nate is a reliable and caring human being who is willing to help his neighbors and members of his community in whatever way he can when they are in need, whether that means shoveling their walk, watching their dog, or walking up more than 10 flights of stairs during a power outage to deliver groceries and ensure their safety.  He is equally devoted to helping the District 200 community and will do so with the interests of all members of that community at heart. 

As a pediatrician, I know firsthand how much stress and anxiety our teens are under these days. It affects everything, from their peer interactions to extracurricular activities to family dynamics; but, where I most see its deleterious effects are in the schools. Put simply, it’s hard to learn effectively if you’re under the constant stress of modern-day life.

This is why I support Nate Mellman and Josh Gertz. They will bring a straightforward philosophy to the D200 board: teens have to first feel safe in order to learn and, ultimately, thrive. And it’s important to note that they are not cowboys advocating for new, untested policies—they simply want the current state standards enforced. Who could argue with that?

Every OPRF teen, irrespective of gender, skin color, religion or sexual orientation, deserves a safe school environment where they can reach their true potential. Voting for Nate and Josh is, I believe, an important step toward this worthy goal.

I spent two years attending nearly every OPRF school board meeting before I graduated in 2022. I saw what makes an effective Board member. Josh Gertz and my dad, Nate Mellman, are the best people for the job.

A great Board member puts students first. That means ensuring OPRF stays focused on its core mission: education. But recent trends concern me: the achievement gap between Black students and white students hasn’t changed since detracking and the gap between Hispanic students and white students has increased. Total enrollment is shrinking, yet the number of administrators has grown by 50%. My dad and Josh will make sure OPRF’s resources are used wisely.

A great Board member also listens to all perspectives. Here, I can speak personally. The only place with a heartier debate than an Oak Park Facebook page is the Mellman family dinner table. My dad taught my sisters and me to debate passionately but respectfully—to back our arguments with facts, but listen when evidence says we may be wrong. The OPRF Board needs new, diverse perspectives, and my dad will bring exactly that. But just as importantly, he will listen and work with everyone to find real solutions.

We have been deeply disappointed by the lack of financial oversight of previous D200 board members. The district needs a board that dedicates its resources to education, with an emphasis on reading, writing, arithmetic, and science. Nate Mellman, whom we know personally, is a wise and rational fellow, capable of analyzing complex fiduciary issues and alternatives, and returning fair and logical solutions. The D200 board needs more serious thinkers like Nate. He is poised to be a major contributor, with our enthusiastic endorsement.

We believe that informed and objective leadership focused on student academic success above all is critical for the success of our students. That’s why wewholeheartedly endorse Josh Gertz and Nate Mellman for the D200 School Board.

Josh and Nate bring a common-sense, data-driven approach to ensuring that every student is given the maximum support to succeed—without reckless spending, ineffective policies, or lowered standards. Their platform is built on financial responsibility, educational excellence, and school accountability, making them the right choice to maximize student achievement and restore effectiveness to our school system.

We support Josh and Nate because:

• They oppose the excessive spending of the past on nonacademic projects and on the current ballooning of administrative costs that divert critical resources from core academic needs, at the expense of teaching staff and resources;

• The district’s attempt to mainstream all students into a single learning group, while well intentioned, has failed to improve test scores or, importantly, to serve students who need extra support while simultaneously negatively impacting the remainder. Josh and Nate advocate for tailored learning environments, ensuring that every child—whether in need of extra support, on track, or excelling—gets the right resources to succeed.

• The current disciplinary policies have not curbed disruption or improved behavior while making it harder for teachers to teach and students to learn. Josh and Nate support a return to reasonable and accountable student behavior policies that keep classrooms focused and productive for all students.

Data shows that if a child meets the requirements to graduate from high school and does not become a single parent, they have a 95% chance of never living in poverty.  

We can make a difference in the lives of those that need our support the most. The future of the high school depends on leadership that values responsibility and prioritizes real student success. Josh Gertz and Nate Mellman are the right candidates to bring back transparency, effective teaching, and responsible governance to D200. 

We enthusiastically support Nate Mellman and Josh Gertz for District 200.

In 1996, we relocated to Oak Park from the far western suburbs, motivated by our appreciation for its economic and racial diversity as well as its strong community spirit..

When we moved here, we appreciated that Oak Park and River Forest High School offered rigorous curricula catering to students of varying abilities. Our primary goal was to ensure that our children would be academically challenged and able to fully develop their potential, regardless of their individual capabilities. 

We endorse the candidacies of Nate Mellman and Josh Gertz due to our shared philosophy on children’s education. They believe in encouraging children and providing the necessary support to help them reach their full potential. This includes offering academic challenges suitable for students of all abilities and ensuring a safe environment where students feel free to express their thoughts and be themselves. Nate and Josh’s independent voices and leadership are needed at D200!