As if there wasn’t enough upheaval on the School District 103 board, the Board of Education lost one of its members July 1 when Stickney resident Felicia Chandler handed in her resignation after two years on the job.
School Board President Joanne Schaeffer announced last week that the board would be accepting letters of interest until July 15 from anyone who would like to complete Chandler’s term, which ends in 2007. The board, under state law, has 45 days from the date of Chandler’s resignation to fill the vacancy.
“Felicia was a very good board member,” Schaeffer said. “I will miss her and the board will miss her.”
Reached at home last week, Chandler said her family was moving out of state due to her husband’s recent job promotion.
“It was a good experience. I’m very happy I did it,” said Chandler, who added that helping convince the community to pass the 2004 tax referendum was her proudest achievement.
“I wanted to do something positive for the kids, and I take my leave feeling we did do that,” Chandler said. “It wasn’t easy. There’s a lot on your shoulders, the pressure from the entire district is there.”
Chandler added the challenge for the board will be finding common ground on how to move forward in the referendum’s wake.
“Pulling together as a team and keeping our teachers and administrators from relocating should be a main focus,” Chandler said. “Because we passed the referendum, we’ll be able to do that.”
As of last Thursday, the district had already received one letter of interest, from Lyons resident Deanna Huxhold, an active PTA member.
Candidates for the vacant board seat must be at least 18 years old, have lived in District 103 for at least one year and be a registered voter. Interested candidates should send a letter of interest explaining their background and desire to serve on the board to Joanne Schaeffer, School District 103 Board of Education, 4100 Joliet Ave., Lyons, Ill. 60534.
The board is expected to fill the vacancy at its July 25 meeting.
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