Stevenson School Board Winners, Supporters Celebrate Success

After , the incumbent slate triumphed in the Stevenson School Board election.

Terry Moons, Bruce Lubin, Merv Roberts and David Weisberg each prevailed by about a two-thirds margin over challengers , and .

With all , Weisberg led the way with 4,818 votes. He was followed by Moons (4,626), Lubin (4,611), Roberts (4,500), Brady (2,595), Powell (2,573) and Cardella (2,309).

Dozens of supporters of the winning candidates, who campaigned together under the name "United 4 Stevenson," gathered at Long Grove Café Tuesday night to track election results while celebrating with food and drink.

“We did this (campaign) with a passion,” Moons told supporters after the race results were announced. “I wanted to retire, but didn’t want 25 years to be taken apart. I couldn’t let it happen.”

“I’m proud of everyone here,” Lubin said. “I thank everyone for what they did.”

“It’s the community that did this,” Roberts said. “This victory is a victory of the community, by the community, for the community.” He then told all supporters to give themselves a standing ovation.

Before Weisberg addressed the crowd, supporters chanted “Dave! Dave! Dave!”
Weisberg thanked his wife, Stevenson's teachers and his campaign mates for their work. “[Moons, Lubin and Weisberg] did the heavy lifting in this campaign. We need to protect the house they built," he said.

“Thirteen weeks ago, we came face-to-face with a difficult situation,” said Lori Lyman, a Stevenson School Board member who coordinated the United 4 Stevenson campaign. “We took on the noble task of defending public education ... We came together to protect what we invested in.”

Buffalo Grove Village President Elliott Hartstein, who previously served on the Stevenson School Board for eight years, was among the supporters in Tuesday night's crowd.

“This race was decisive,” he said. “People are pleased with Stevenson, and we have a group dedicated to success for every student. The caliber of the faculty is second to none.”

He was joined at the gathering by community members who backed the United 4 Stevenson team.

“A lot of work went into this campaign,” Matt McNamara, the webmaster for the United 4 Stevenson slate, said. “A lot of people put a lot of time and effort into this.”

“The results speak for themselves. We have one of the best high schools in the country," supporter Beth Butler said.

Some noted that campaign supporters came from diverse backgrounds.

“In this room, you see people from across the political spectrum. Education transcends politics,” Joel Finfer said.

Stevenson students also attended to show their support.

“I’m here to support United 4 Stevenson because I like the way things are going at our school,” said Megan Vanderah, who showed her support by wearing a campaign banner.

“I volunteered with the campaign because the future of Stevenson is important to me,” Stevenson senior Paul Grobman said. “It was necessary for me to get involved.”

Community involvement was instrumental to the group's success, Lyman said.

After announcing United 4 Stevenson’s win, Lyman shared with the audience the campaign by the numbers. “Supporters for United 4 Stevenson hosted 20 coffees, wrote over 50 , displayed more than 1,300 signs and banners, knocked on over 4,000 doors, made over 6,000 phone calls, and mailed over 40,000 brochures,” she said. "We made about $50,000, and spent about $50,000."

“We really pushed to get the vote out," she said.

Reached by phone Tuesday night, Powell said, “We brought things to light, and we will work through these issues.”

“I hope the board recognizes the community’s concerns, and will address those concerns,” Kim said.

“We will support [United 4 Stevenson] in all of the issues," Cardella said.