Get to know the candidates for the District 88 Board of Education

As a public service to the voters of District 88, the district invited all candidates for election to the Board of Education during the April 6 Consolidated Election to submit a short statement about themselves and their candidacy. Below is the information provided.

Three full (four-year) terms will be open on the District 88 Board during the April 6 election. The six candidates running are (in the order in which they’re listed on the DuPage County Election Division website):

  • Christine Poirier
  • Andrew Edmier
  • Al Manzo
  • Diana Stout
  • Jean Taylor
  • Blanca Jessen (incumbent)
  • * Tina Haralambopoulos

* PLEASE NOTE: Ms. Haralambopoulos has submitted a Withdrawal of Candidacy and will be suppressed from the election results.

Name: Christine (Chris) Poirier

Hometown (where you currently live): Lombard

Family members: Husband, Dave (married 23 years); Daughter, Sarah (Willowbrook alumna, class of 2018, currently a junior at Monmouth College); Son, Michael (senior at Willowbrook)

Your connection(s) to District 88: Parent

Why you chose to become a candidate for the District 88 Board of Education:
I chose to become a candidate for the District 88 Board of Education because my family’s experience with District 88 has been a very positive one, and I want to work to continue those positive experiences for future generations. I am excited to have the opportunity to put my personal and professional experience, as well as my enthusiasm, to work for the students, families, faculty/staff and community of District 88 in this capacity.

What you hope to accomplish, should you become elected to the District 88 Board of Education:
If elected, one of my short-term goals as a District 88 Board of Education member is to gain the knowledge and skills I need to become effective in my new role by working with fellow Board members and completing any required training. I think it is very important to take the time to understand how the Board functions and the background behind how District 88 arrived at the place it is today. Doing this will make my efforts to help advance the district toward its “future state” more productive and successful. Another of my short-term goals is to support students, staff, families and the community as District 88 continues to navigate through the reopening plan and the “post-COVID-19” world. Returning students, staff, learning and extracurriculars to the building is just the beginning. There will still be much work to do, including providing mental health support and addressing any potential “backslide” in learning for students who had difficulty with remote learning. I really want to be able to help District 88 with this portion of the plan.

Your vision/goals for District 88:
If elected, one of my long-term goals as a District 88 Board of Education member is to support efforts to maximize the opportunities made available to all students, no matter where they are on the education spectrum. Another of my long-term goals is to work to support diversity, equity and inclusion in District 88. I believe our differences make us stronger and that diversity should be celebrated in all its forms. As one of the most diverse school districts in Illinois, I believe we have a responsibility to ensure all District 88 students and staff are made to feel invited, included and that their voices are given fair consideration. I am prepared to work tirelessly to make both of these things happen.

Your involvement within District 88:
As a District 88 parent, I have been active on many school committees, including the Citizens Advisory Council, Parent Transition/Reopening Committee, Willowbrook Music Booster Club and Willowbrook Parent Organization. This year, my husband, Dave, and I also are chairing the Willowbrook Music Booster Club’s Virtual Trivia Night on April 10. I am an enthusiastic supporter of the District 88 athletic and performing arts programs (my daughter played basketball and soccer, while my son is active in the CenterStage show choir, Concert Choir, Speech Team, Theatre and Vocal Jazz Ensemble).

Your involvement within the community:
My past involvement outside of District 88 includes membership on the St. Pius X Parish School Board and the Firebirds Soccer Club Board. In addition, I volunteered for several years as a chairperson and committee member for the annual St. Pius X Parish School Black and Gold Gala and the Firebirds Soccer Club Candlelight Bowl fundraisers.

Other information to share:
One thing that differentiates me from the other candidates is my professional background. I have a B.A. in Accounting and an MBA in Financial Management, both from Benedictine University. I also earned the credential of Certified Public Accountant in 1997 and a Certificate in Global Benefits Management in 2011. I have 15-plus years of corporate finance and 10-plus years of human resources experience. I am currently the Director of Global Benefits for Motorola Solutions, which is a Fortune 500 company. I think these credentials would serve me well when it comes to the personnel and financial responsibilities I would encounter as a Board member. Another thing that differentiates me from the other candidates is the passion I have for maximizing the opportunities made available to all District 88 students. As a District 88 parent, I have tried to do this by serving on many school committees, and I would welcome the opportunity to continue these efforts as a member of the District 88 Board of Education.

Name: Andrew Edmier

Hometown (where you currently live): Addison

Family members: Father, Thomas Edmier; Mother, Kathy Edmier; Sisters Katie and Heidi Edmier

Your connection(s) to District 88: Alumnus of Addison Trail

Why you chose to become a candidate for the District 88 Board of Education:
This is an opportunity to give back to the community that I feel has given me so much. Helping shape our schools for now and the future to serve as the bedrock of our community’s success.

What you hope to accomplish, should you become elected to the District 88 Board of Education:
I hope to enact a reserve fund to ensure that, despite our state’s financial situation, the district can be suited for a strong financial future. I also hope to work to make sure the district has strong trades and art programs for students. Additionally, strengthening the special needs programs in the schools is a priority.

Your vision/goals for District 88:
I hope to accomplish continued academic strength, a strong financial course for the future and a strong community relationship with the district.

Your involvement within District 88:
As a student, I was very active in many school activities – including sports, art and theatre. I have attended many District 88 events since I graduated.

Your involvement within the community:
I have been active in the Addison community and have served on the Village’s Citizens Advisory Commission since 2017.

Name: Jean Taylor

Hometown (where you currently live): Villa Park

Family members: Husband, Jeff; Daughter, Jess; Son, John

Your connection(s) to District 88: Alumna, parent, community member

Why you chose to become a candidate for the District 88 Board of Education:
During my involvement in District 88's Building The Future initiative, I noticed many of the folks I was working with no longer had children at Addison Trail or Willowbrook and yet they put in the time and effort. They were still committed to improved conditions for the students of the community. I am very grateful to all of them. My children not only benefited from their efforts and dedication, they thrived. I am at a stage in life where I have wrapped up other volunteer opportunities. I can commit fully to be an engaged and active school board member. I feel it is my time to give back to the community that supported my own children and their experience in the district

What you hope to accomplish, should you become elected to the District 88 Board of Education:
The primary challenge for the district is the return of students to in-person learning and the issues that arise from the return to the classroom. This process has already started this spring. A component of the return is working with students, teachers and administration to make sure the focus is not only on getting students back in the building, but that mental health well-being is addressed, as well as any regression that might have occurred with e-learning. Initially, the board should review the return plan that was implemented in the spring and make sure that processes that were successful remain in place. Attention should be turned to any procedure that needs to be reworked to make sure students are successful, while making sure the needs of teachers and administration are met.

Your vision/goals for District 88:
My goal as a school board member is to ensure the district keeps the academic standards at a high level. I would make sure the district continues working with the local institutions of higher learning to offer more instruction that will benefit students after graduation. I also would like to help grow and strengthen the community partnerships and mentor programs that have been implemented. It also is important that District 88 continues to develop programs and use relationships to benefit college-bound students, but also assist those students who are headed into the trades or directly into the workforce. I would like to make sure the district stays focused on inclusiveness, equality and equity for all students. Finally, it is important the district stays fiscally responsible as it works toward implementing curriculum and programs that keep our district moving forward.

Your involvement within District 88:

  • Willowbrook Parent Organization
    • Cinderella's Closet Committee
    • Fundraising Committee (including bake sale, craft show and trivia night)
    • Scholarship Committee
    • Teachers Appreciation Breakfast Committee
  • Willowbrook Athletic Booster Club
    • Served as secretary
    • Coaches Appreciation Luncheon Committee
    • Concessions Committee
    • Golf Outing Committee
    • Scholarship Committee
  • Willowbrook Citizens Advisory Council
  • Young Hearts for Life volunteer coordinator
  • Volunteer Cheerleading coach
  • District 88 Foundation Dennis Doyle 3-on-3 Basketball Tournament volunteer

Your involvement within the community:

  • Villa Park Warriors board member
  • Past Villa Park Summerfest chairperson
  • Summerfest volunteer
  • Past Villa Park Parks & Recreation Commissioner
  • Villa Park Chamber of Commerce volunteer
  • Ardmore PTA member and committee chairperson (including Book Fair, Hospitality, Room Parent Coordinator and Silent Auction)
  • Jackson PTA member and secretary
  • Received the Villa Park Community Spirit Award, organization – Families for Fun founding member
  • Received the Villa Park Pride Commission Spirit Award, individual

Other information to share:
I would be honored to serve District 88 as a board member. I look forward to using my skill sets to help the district continue to move forward and improve.

Name: Blanca Jessen



Hometown (where you currently live): Villa Park

Family members: Husband, Dennis; Son, Jack; Daughter, Emma

Your connection(s) to District 88: My husband and two children are alumni of Willowbrook. I also am the current District 88 Board of Education Secretary.

Why you chose to become a candidate for the District 88 Board of Education:
I have a very strong passion for education. As a current board member, I would welcome the opportunity to be able to continue to ensure every student gets an opportunity to ready himself/herself for whatever direction he/she chooses after graduation.

What you hope to accomplish, should you become elected to the District 88 Board of Education:
To ensure all students are provided the opportunity to get the skills sets needed if they choose to go on to a four-year college, a two-year college or a vocational program. I also would continue to support advanced/college-level courses, which will continue to challenge our students.

Your vision/goals for District 88:
To ensure District 88 continues to grow, with a strong foundation of its community, students, families, teachers and administration. That we continue to invest in our schools, so all students have the best resources made available to them, so they can compete with top-notch programs and get the best possible education.

Your involvement within District 88:
As a parent of two recent graduates, and as a District 88 Board of Education member since 2015, I have been involved in countless committees and events.

Your involvement within the community:
I have been a District 88 Board of Education member since 2015. Since then, I have been involved in countess community events. This past year, I was recognized by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Master Board Member Program for the time and effort I’ve devoted to leadership activities and service to the public education community.