Yerkes sworn in to District 229 board after write-in win

After a successful write-in campaign that saw him receive 339 votes, Dr. Kenneth Yerkes has officially joined the Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 Board. He finished ahead of fellow write-in candidates Benjamin Busch and Anas Elhawli.

“This is a calling,” Yerkes said. “It’s not about complacency. The work begins now.”

A longtime Oak Lawn resident and small business owner, Yerkes said he stepped into the race after Thanksgiving. He was driven by a sense of purpose and concern for the district’s academic direction.

He ran on a platform focused on three priorities: raising reading and math proficiency, expanding vocational and career-readiness programs, and increasing financial transparency.

“I ran to improve educational outcomes,” he said. “Only 17 to 23 percent of students are reading and doing math at grade level. We have to get to the core of the problem.”

He emphasized that his campaign was rooted in service, not opposition.

“I ran for school board and not against anyone,” he said. “People and principles over money and power—that’s what I ran on.”

Yerkes said he does not support candidates running on slates. He noted that one of his opponents had been endorsed by the board and its president.

“I don’t like when candidates run on slates, except for president and vice president, because that doesn’t result in better governance,” he said. “I think candidates should run on their own merit.”

He believes write-in candidates have a place in public service, especially when the motivation comes later in the election cycle.

“There are times when someone gets a calling, like I did, after the deadline expires,” Yerkes said. “Some candidates are afforded the opportunity to run for a political position they were meant to run for, like I was.”

This isn’t Yerkes’ first time on the ballot. He previously ran a write-in campaign for Congress in 2018, which he clarified was in the general election.

“I ended up with 1,039 write-in votes,” he said. “I had to step up against a Holocaust denier and white supremacist. I wasn’t going to stay silent.”

During his school board campaign, Yerkes logged 149 hours in the field with the help of 13 volunteers. He continued to treat patients at his dental practice while campaigning.

“I just didn’t overbook,” he said. “I had to do what I needed to do.”

As a new member of the board, Yerkes said his focus is on observation and collaboration.

“I’m going to ask questions,” he said. “I want to sit in classrooms, do observation and get a real sense of what’s going on before making any assessment. I can’t do anything on my own. I need collaboration with fellow board members, with teachers, with parents.”

He has already reached out to the district superintendent and expressed a desire to work together while remaining focused on academics.

“My intention is to work with him, but I might see perspectives that he doesn’t,” Yerkes said.

He said students who aren’t college-bound need more options.

“Some students might not be intending to go to college,” he said. “We need to develop real-world skills and career-readiness programs.”

He also emphasized the importance of student support systems.

“Mentors and emotional support are key,” he said. “We need trusted teachers, counselors and others who students can talk to.”

Financial transparency is another priority.

“To take a look at the books, I have to see the books first,” he said. “Being a small business owner for 42 years with two locations, I know how to analyze numbers and insist on transparency. Taxpayer money should be spent wisely. When there’s a $42 million project, I think that needs to be on the ballot. You need a referendum.”

Yerkes acknowledged that building relationships with longtime board members may take time, but he’s committed to the process.

“They’ll have to look at it from my perspective, and I’ll look at it from theirs,” he said. “I think I have a mandate. I represent the values of the people who voted for me.”

He also brings experience as a substitute teacher and holds a master’s degree in education. He earned that degree while working 65-hour weeks.

“My dad retired at 92. He was a plumber for 76 years,” Yerkes said. “That work ethic is in me.”

In the end, his message remains the same now that he’s on the board.

“People and principles over money and power. Let’s improve educational outcomes. Let’s get to work.”