Ted Estes

Glen Ellyn District 41

School Board Candidate

Ted@EstesD41.com

My Story...

When my wife, Lisa, and I built our home in 1993 within the boundaries of District 41, we were focused more on having a walk-out basement and mapping out our future commutes to work. Naively, we gave little thought to the school district in which we were about to settle. Now, 30 years later, we realize how fortunate we are to have landed in this community with its exceptional schools.

​We now have two sons who graduated from Glenbard West High School. They are curious, inquisitive, achieving, and well-rounded - thanks in no small part to the education received while attending Churchill Elementary and Hadley Middle School in District 41.

My Background...

I have a BS degree in Electrical Engineering at Purdue University, and a MS degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering at University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana.

I currently work for Jersey Jack Pinball as a game designer and software team leader. Previously, I have worked at Cisco Systems, AT&T Bell Labs, WMS Gaming, and a few startups.

My Experience...

Consistent with my engineering background, I am good with numbers and will unfailingly review and challenge data and analyses. When conclusions are unclear to me, I will research and analyze until I fully understand the pros and cons of any proposal.

As an experienced team builder and member, I regularly participate in highly effective teams, which feature strong and disparate opinions that are reconciled by considering and evaluating all positions in an open-minded manner. This effective process leads to a superior end result, and this success is something I hope to bring to Board of Education meetings.

My Perspective...

Boards should not act in lock-step, but should allow for diversity of thinking and true community representation. While conviction is important in any team member, so is humility, and as a board member, I will strive for compromise and consensus.

I am not someone who is going to act as a “rubber stamp” for all recommendations, nor vote in alliance with any special interest or voting bloc. I will always make the best decisions I can for the good of the district, recognizing the diverse priorities and opinions that characterize our village. I ask for your vote as a representative for the District 41 Board of Education on April 4.

My Community Involvement...

  • Glen Ellyn School District 41 Board of Education, 2019-present - Served on Finance Committee, Financial Advisory Committee, and Equity Advisory Sub-Committee

  • BSA Scouts, Glen Ellyn Troop 41, 2015-present - Committee Member, Assistant Scoutmaster, Merit Badge Counselor

  • Glenbard West Association of Music Parents, 2016-2022

  • Glenbard West STEM Club "Project I" presenter, 2018, 2019

  • Technology Center of DuPage, 2015-2022- Advisory Committee, Computer Information Systems and Game Design

  • District 41 Facilities Task Force, 2015-2016

  • Tunes of Glory Pipes and Drums Band, 2016-2020