North Cook News

Bryan Mercado is a candidate for a seat on the Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 school board in the April 4 election.

He is a graduate of the district.

“Being a life long resident of over 40 years to Park Ridge and the only candidate that works in Park Ridge and Niles, I am the only candidate that is plugged into the communities on a daily basis,” Mercado said in an email. “Being on the District 64 School Board takes more than just being an academic, it takes a person that has [the] experience that will benefit the District as a whole. As a Real Estate Broker I bring people together that have different opinions and beliefs to reach a common solution to complex problems everyday. I am a people person,  a good listener and a sponge for learning. I have years of extensive knowledge and real experience on Boards in the District.”

Mercado, a real estate agent at RE/MAX Properties Northwest, said he is the "candidate that can bring all of the residents of Park Ridge and Niles together for our children to win."

“My experiences in contract negotiations, budgeting  and capital improvement planning as a Community Church Trustee and a Condo Board member will be invaluable to the District 64 Board who must be a steward of the community tax resources," he said. "Additionally I have countless years of being a sport coach in Park Ridge, a Field School PTO volunteer (Vshow), Habitat for Humanity Team Leader and Park Ridge Community Church Youth Mission Trip Chaperone, all of which have given me a unique perspective of what the children in our communities need and what the parents and caregivers of the children in our communities expect."  

“We need to get rid of political agendas and we need to work in the best interests of the kids,” Mercado said at a candidates forum hosted by the Republican Women of Park Ridge on Feb. 23.

Mercado posted on his campaign website that he is “worried right now that the loudest voices win and that's causing a pendulum swing that is dramatic and not representative of the majority of the district." He added that, "It's time to disarm the polarization, and come to the table sincerely, with the best interest of the kids and the community, they are not a laboratory for advancing political agendas.” 

"What makes D64 wonderful is that everyone brings a different perspective and different skills to the table,"  Mercado said. He added that his role "is one in which I want to provide all of the information, whether it is positive or negative to constituents." He acknowledges that there will be people that may not like certain decisions that are made by the board. 

Mercado said that "The board and administration need to do a better job of being accountable for their decisions even if there is a negative outcome, communicate better to the constituents why decisions are being made and in the manner of which they are made and be transparent on decisions, especially if it changes negatively.”