Meet the Board
Members
Tony Peloso, President [2019] –
My wife, Ann, and I moved into the Taft community in 2005. We have four children, three of which attend Taft. I am a Fire Fighter/Paramedic in a local community and have lived in Lockport since 2002.
I am a 1993 graduate of Providence High School and have my my Associates Degree in Fire Science. During my time in high school, I was required to perform community service to graduate. This was a requirement of all the students at the time. During my community service hours, I found that I was called to be a public servant. I enjoy the ability to help others in their time of need, and I have found great satisfaction in being able to make Taft a better place for all students.
I was appointed to the School board in 2011 to fill an opening and ran for my first four year elected term in 2013. After being elected in April of 2013, my fellow board members nominated and elected me to the position of School Board President. I was humbled to say the least. This is a responsibility that I do not take lightly. The decisions we make affect every student and every member of this community. I promise to make the most informed and best decisions possible to make Taft the best school in the region. I have completed both PERA and OMA training.
If you ever have a question, or comment, please feel free to contact me. I can be reached at 708-925-3857 or taft90.president@gmail.com.
Christine Jelinek, Vice President [2019] –
My husband Joe and I have lived in the Taft community for over 15 years. Our two boys are graduates of Taft SD 90, and attend Lockport Township High School. I am a research scientist and have worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs at Hines VA hospital for 21 years. I have Master’s degrees in Physiology and Educational Administration. My Bachelor’s degree is in Elementary education, for which my first career was in teaching.
While growing up in Lansing, Michigan, my parents were often doing volunteer work for our church, the schools, and in our sports clubs. I feel that because of my parent’s willingness to try to say “yes” when asked to help, I took on those same values. In 2008, I started the Taft Foundation, which is a 501(c)(3) educational foundation that raises private monies to support programs and technology for Taft School. The mission of the Taft Foundation has helped programs survive and technology to be finally implemented into our school. The volunteers that have helped this mission succeed have truly given me the energy to keep giving back after my children no longer attend Taft.
My time as Vice President for the Taft SD 90 school board has served as a valuable and rewarding experience as I enter my 7th year of service. I take this responsibility seriously, and feel that being part of the Board has given me the most well-rounded view of the school, the District, and the community that supports our efforts. I am truly a public servant, and invite you to start the conversation with your comments and concerns about Taft SD 90.
Sheri Skowron, Secretary [2019] –
My husband, Rick, and I have been married for 15 years. He is a Design Engineer for a consulting firm and I work in Lockport for a local physician. We have 3 children, Hannah who is currently in Jr High, our son, Joshua, is in 5th grade and our youngest son, Mason, will be entering 2nd grade.
I am an active PTA member and with the assistance of a couple parents run the Athletic Association at Taft. I was elected to the school board in 2011. I am very proud to have been elected to this position. I promise to always do my very best for all the children in District 90. Taft community has my word that I will give a constant effort and strong commitment to serve the community.
Julie Chesser, Member [2019] –
My husband Josh and I have lived in Lockport since 2005. My daughter Summer started attending kindergarten at Taft School in 2012, and my younger daughter Charlotte will start in 2016. My family and I have made many friends at Taft, and the community is very welcoming.
After attending Hinsdale South High School, I received my Associate’s Degree from the College of DuPage and my Bachelor’s in Education from Illinois State University. I became a substitute teacher in 1997 in Darien, Downers Grove, and Woodridge. I began teaching first grade in 1999 at Puffer School in Downers Grove. In 2004 I received my Master’s Degree in Education from Northern Illinois University.
After having two children and teaching first grade for 14 years, I had the opportunity to stay at home and become more involved in the lives of my girls. I immediately began volunteering at Taft as much as possible. I help out the PTA however I can, I make copies for teachers, I am a co-chair for the Book Fair, and I am also a Girl Scout leader. Getting to do all these things for my daughter and her school is a privilege to me.
Being a member of the Taft School Board is an honor to me. I look forward to the experience of being involved in planning the development and improvement of the school. My goal is to help make decisions that will benefit Taft students, teachers, staff, and the community.
Yolanda Bruce-Sartin, Member [2019] –
My husband, Anthony and I along with our children, Blake and Brooke have lived in the Taft community since 2004. Blake is a graduate of Taft and is currently a junior at Lockport Township High School. Brooke is currently in 7th grade at Taft. We have established good friends at Taft and within the community.
I’ve been involved at Taft since my children attended the school by volunteering to coach the girls’ 4th and 5th grade basketball team. I also coached a girls’ travel basketball team for the Lockport area. I’m also a member of the Taft Foundation and helped raise funds to support the extra curriculum activities and sports for the school. I always try to support the school in any way that I can.
I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and my MBA in Business/Information Systems from Dominican University (formally Rosary College). I currently work for Morgan Stanley as a Senior Systems Training Specialist.
I’ve been recently appointed to the school board and I’m honored to serve in this position. I am committed to making decisions that is in the best interest of the Taft community and will continue to help support the school in whatever capacity that I can.
Rocco Colella Jr., Member [2019] –
My wife Patty and I have been married for 26 years and have been residents of Lockport Township since 1995. We have have three daughters (Melissa, Samantha and Averi) and a granddaughter (Ayden). Melissa was the recipient of the First Annual Lockport Township Government Scholarship in 2003. In 2004 we moved to the Taft district in Lockport. Our youngest daughter in currently enrolled at Taft.
Volunteering has been a cornerstone of my life. I've been a member of the Knights of Columbus since 1990 and in 1995 helped charter the Plainfield Moose. As a young parent I was very involved with my children's school in both the PTA and marching band program. From 2011-2014 I served on our homeowners association as treasurer and later served as the board president. In 2012 my wife and I both helped work on the referendum at Taft and have been involved ever since.. Most recently in 2017 I was appointed to Taft's school board and also joined the Citizens Police Academy in Lockport.
Being a parent at Taft has been both a humbling and rewarding experience. This community works extra hard to give our children much needed funding for programs because it takes a community to raise a child and that is what we do here.
Send email the Board of Education at BoE@taftsd90.org
Committees
Board of Education Committees 2017-2019
Finance
Julie Chesser, Chair
Yolanda Bruce-Sartin
Policy
Sheri Skowron, Chair
Yolanda Bruce-Sartin
Rocco Colella
Building & Grounds
Christine Jelinek, Chair
Rocco Colella
TABC
Tony Peloso, Chair
Christine Jelinek
