At a special organizational meeting, the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 board certified the results of the April 1, 2025 consolidated election, administered the oath of office to four winning candidates and elected board officers with terms beginning May 8, 2025.

The Cook County Clerk’s certificate attached to the meeting agenda showed the vote totals reported to the board: Kathleen O'Dell, 9,691; Audrey Williams Lee, 9,278; Fred Arkin, 8,817; Joshua Gertz, 5,522; Nathan Melman, 5,361; and David Schaffzman, 4,603. The board congratulated the newly elected and re-elected members: Kathleen O'Dell, Audrey Williams Lee, Fred Arkin and Joshua Gertz.

Following certification, board members took the statutory oath of office before taking their seats. A board official led members in the oath language that pledged to “faithfully discharge the duties of the office” in accordance with the U.S. and Illinois constitutions and state law, to protect district assets and to respect the privacy of students and employees. The oath language read aloud also reminded members that individual board members have no legal authority apart from majority action at public meetings.

The board then conducted nominations and elections for its officers for the one-year term beginning May 8, 2025. Audrey Williams Lee was declared elected president by acclamation after nominees were closed. Tim Brandhorst was nominated and elected vice president by acclamation after a second was recorded. John Lewis was nominated and elected secretary by acclamation after a second was recorded. The nominations were conducted by voice vote or acclamation as permitted under the board’s stated procedures.

Earlier in the meeting, a motion to convene a special organizational meeting at 7:11 p.m. was made and seconded; the motion carried on a voice vote.

There were no public comments during the public comment period, and the meeting proceeded with the organizational items on the agenda.

Board clerk’s certification of the election, the administration of the oath and the election of officers were recorded in the minutes as the official actions taken at the meeting.