Two of the three incumbent members of the Riverside-Brookfield High School District 208 Board of Education whose terms expire next year will run for re-election in next April’s elections.
Board President Wes Smithing and board Vice President Ramona Towner are running for their second four-year terms, but incumbent Gina Sierra has decided that one term on the school board is enough and will not run again.
Sierra said her son is a senior at RBHS and noted that she had served previously for four years on the Komarek School District 94 Board of Education.
“I think it’s time for me to move on,” Sierra said.
Smithing and Towner, however, have decided to seek another term.
“I think we really need some continuity on the board,” Smithing said, noting that six of the seven members of the District 208 school board have served for fewer than four years, with three new board members being elected in both 2017 and 2019.
Among current board members, only Laura Hruska has served on the board for more than one term.
Smithing said that with the school navigating the coronavirus pandemic, experience is a valuable.
“This is when we need all hands on deck,” Smithing said.
Towner also stressed the need for experience.
“If we want to keep RB moving in the right direction, some consistency in the board members and the leadership would be a good idea,” Towner said.
The nominating petition filing period for candidates begins Dec. 14. Anyone who wants to run for the school board must get at least 50 signatures on nominating petitions that must be filed by no later than the end of the day on Dec. 21.
Anyone interested in running for the school board can learn more by contacting Mary Ann Nardi, the secretary for District 208 Board of Education, by calling 708-442-8275 or emailing to nardim@rbhs208.net.
