North Cook News

Long-time Park Ridge resident, Dr. Monika Penksa-Rossi is a candidate for the Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 school board.

Raised with a strong work ethic and an appreciation for the value of a good education, she was instilled with "a love for learning that she wants to bring to all learners." She has lived in Park Ridge for 27 years. 

“I want to focus on raising test scores, bringing back and keeping fine arts programming, and most importantly, give a voice to the parents of students with learning differences,” Penksa-Rossi said in a press release. 

Penksa-Rossi spoke at a candidate forum held on Feb. 28.

“I’ve seen Park Ridge grow into this amazing area,” she said. “We have amazing parents, amazing families, and we love to see our kids strive and education is key.” 

She suggested other candidates hold meet and greets as well. 

“I think that would be a great way for everyone in the community to meet those individuals,” she said. “That’s what it’s all about. It’s all about communication.”

Penksa-Rossi has served as a board member for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation for six years and as a Mary, Seat of Wisdom School athletic board member and coach for over 20 years. She has two children who attend or have attended Mary, Seat of Wisdom School and Maine South High School. 

She will hold a meet and greet from 6-8 PM on Monday, March 20 at Yogli-Mogli, and at the Park Ridge Community Church on March 15 from 7:00-8:30 PM. 

Penksa-Rossi holds a Chiropractic Doctorate from the National University of Health Sciences and a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Illinois University in zoology. She has been a chiropractor for 26 years, according to her LinkedIn profile.

Park Ridge-Niles School District 64 oversees eight schools and 4,685 students. The district employs 399 classroom teachers and 397 other staff members.