Publications & Sites 
Meet Carla Owen, District 207’s new School Board member
Carla Owen of Park Ridge is congratulated by Maine Township High School District 207 Board President Sean Sullivan after being sworn in as the newest member of the Board of Education on Dec. 3. | Brian O'Mahoney~for Sun-Times Media
Updated: January 14, 2013 6:20AM
Carla Owen, of Park Ridge, was sworn in as a new member of the Maine Township High School District 207 Board of Education on Dec. 3 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Joann Braam. Owen is the current president of the Park Ridge Senior Services Board and has served on that board for 12 years. An attorney, she has been actively involved on District 207 and Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 committees.
Q: What attracted you to the position as a District 207 board member?
A: I’ve been serving for two years on the District 207 Community Advisory Committee which is a group of around 30 people in the community. I became pretty knowledgeable about what’s going on and I thought I’d like to become more involved with the school district.
Q: What are a couple of the biggest issues currently facing the district?
A: There’s this issue with the hazing that the district has to address. Beyond that, there’s the issue of the pension liabilities and what’s going to happen if those costs are going to be shifting to the local school districts. Our schools also have some capital projects. I think the district is in good shape (financially) but it is something we’re going to have to keep an eye on and balance. I would like to see all of the Maine schools continue to improve.
Q: What other committees have you served on?
A: I was on the (District 64) Kindergarten Review Committee. I also served on the Strategic Planning Committee for District 64 and I’ve been involved at the PTO level. I’ve had a lot of PTO involvement.
Q: How do you feel your experience on those boards may impact your service as a District 207 board member?
A: I think I have some experience in the community with a variety of different groups and ages. I’m pretty connected with the senior population as well. I have been following what has been happening with the district and I’ve really been impressed with the efforts of the administration to keep Maine in the forefront educationally.
Q: How has the experience been serving on the Park Ridge Senior Services Board of Directors?
A: Even when I was in the elementary schools we had an intergenerational committee and I was involved in that. I’ve always been interested in the seniors in our community. I’m interested in their well-being. I think it’s good for our kids to be exposed. Some of our kids don’t have grandparents.
Q: How long have you resided in Park Ridge?
A: I first moved to Park Ridge with my parents when I was in seventh-grade. I attended the old Emerson (Middle School) and I went to Maine South. I’ve lived in Park Ridge with my husband since 1992.
Q: Do you plan on running in the April 2013 election to remain on the District 207 board?
A: I am thinking about that. It’s likely that I will run.
Q: Do you have children in the school district?
A: My son graduated from Maine South last year and my daughter’s a freshman at Maine South this year.
Q: What is your profession?
A: I am an attorney. I practiced labor and employee benefit law. Lately I’ve been a pro bono volunteer for Catholic charities.
