When Greg Frana resigned his post as a member of the Brookfield-Lyons School District 103 board in September, the school board lost one of its most experienced people.
But on Oct. 25 they received an injection of additional experience when board members voted to appoint Brookfield resident Mark Rogers to fill the vacancy. He’ll serve until April 2011, when Frana’s unexpired term will be up for election.
“We’re excited about having an experienced board member come on board,” said District 103 Superintendent Michael Warner. He’s familiar with how the board works.”
Rogers is not only familiar with how the board runs, he was its president at one time. He’s served on the District 103 board on two separate occasions, from 1994-95 and from 2000-05. Since leaving the board five years ago, Brookfield has not been represented on the District 103 board. The school district serves five communities, including Lyons, Forest View, McCook, Stickney and the southeast quarter of Brookfield.
Rogers was the school board president when district voters passed a property tax referendum in 2004. He has lived in Brookfield for 47 years.
He is vice president of the PNC Bank branch in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood and is also president of the neighborhood’s Chamber of Commerce. He is also vice chairman of the Fairygodmother Foundation which helps grant terminally ill adults a last wish.
Rogers’ name surfaced earlier this year in connection with the district, when Frana suggested that the board create a nonprofit educational foundation. Rogers expressed interest in being part of the foundation, and may pick up that baton now that Frana is gone.
“Greg was the foundation’s primary advocate,” Warner said. “With him resigning it did not get much precedence. I’m sure Mark will bring it back to the fore.”
– Bob Uphues
