Melissa Gracias
President
Melissa Gracias was first elected to the District 230 Board of Education in 2013. She currently serves as the Board President as well as the Chair of the Student Services Committee, Districts Scope Representative, and as the Delegate for the District at the Illinois Association of School Boards. Melissa is an active supporter of the Amos Alonzo Stagg community, and actively volunteers throughout the entire district. Melissa is also involved in the Palos Park community. She is a current member of the Palos Park Police Foundation and volunteers annually at the Autumn in the park festival. She has also volunteered in the Religious Ed program at Our Lady of the Woods. Melissa earned her bachelor’s degree from Davenport University in Grand Rapids, Mi. She has obtained a Master Board member status and is also a Leadership Fellow.
Lynn Zeder
Vice President
Lynn Zeder was appointed to the School Board in 2022 and is serving as Vice Chair of the Education Committee as well as a member of the Building and Finance Committee. A Carl Sandburg High School graduate, Dr. Zeder began teaching in District 135, then served as an Assistant Principal at Prairie View Middle School District 140 and also as Assistant Principal at Palos South Middle School District 118. She returned to District 135 as Principal of Centennial School for four years. She continued in District 135 as Assistant Director of Curriculum, Director of Curriculum, and finally as the Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning for eight years. Currently, she helps train and teach teachers with various types of writing as a Writing Consultant at the South Cook Intermediate Service Center. Dr. Zeder earned a bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in Middle School Education from Eastern Illinois University, a master’s degree in Educational Administration from Governors State University, another master’s degree in Library Science from Chicago State University, and a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Lewis University.
Susan Dalton
Secretary
Susan Dalton was elected to the School Board in 2013. She currently serves as the Board Secretary and Chair of the Student Services Committee. Susan is proud to have the distinction of being a Master Board Member and recognized as a LeaderShop recipient from the Illinois School Board Association. She is a lifelong resident of D230 and a graduate of Carl Sandburg High School and Moraine Valley Community College. She is employed as an office and HR administrator.
Susan dedicates her efforts to ensure that District 230 provides a rigorous curriculum, provides vast opportunities for students to explore while providing value to the community through strong, well-managed high schools. Serving on this School Board is rewarding due to the students of District 230 with their academic accomplishments, their competitive spirit in sports and co-curriculars and their generosity in service to their community.
Mohammed Jaber
Mohammed Jaber was elected to the school board in April of 2023 and also serves as Vice Chair for the Building and Finance Committee as well as a member of the Student Services Committee. Mr. Jaber currently serves as a Special Education teacher with Chicago Public Schools and is a part-time adjunct instructor of Intensive English Language at Moraine Valley Community College. He holds a Masters of Education degree from Saint Xavier University. He has extensive experience working with students who require social and emotional support on an individual level to ensure their ability and success to participate in extracurricular activities and other courses. As a faculty member of the Moraine Valley Community College for over a decade teaching Intensive English Language, he serves beyond the role of an educator and advises students regarding lifelong decisions, such as choosing a subject major, pursuing a higher degree, as well as collaborating with colleagues.
Kate Murphy-Peterson
Kate Murphy-Peterson was elected to the School Board in 2013 and also serves as Vice Chair on the Education Committee and is also a member of the Building and Finance Committee. She was previously a member of the school board from 2005-2009 where she served on the Education Committee and was the district’s SCOPE representative. She is a graduate of Queen of Peace High School and received a Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University. She is employed at Loyola University Chicago.
Patrick O'Sullivan
Patrick O'Sullivan was elected to the School Board in 2007. He has served as President of the Board, Vice President of the Board (twice) and Chairperson of the Building and Finance Committee. Currently, he is Chair of the Education Committee. In addition to serving on the School Board, he is active as a coach in Orland community youth athletics. He is a graduate of Carl Sandburg High School and Bradley University. He is the President of PRO Insurance Services, Inc.
Tony Serratore
Tony Serratore was elected to the School Board in 2013 and served as School Board President until May 2023. Mr. Serratore now serves as Chair of the Building and Finance Committee. Prior to joining the Board, he served for five years as a community representative on the District's Building and Finance Committee. He was also a Board member of the Andrew Music Parent's Association. He graduated from Brother Rice High School, received a Bachelor's degree from St. Mary's University and an MBA from DePaul University.