FOREST LEAVES - Nov. 10, 2004
The River Forest Community Caucus planned to interview seven candidates for four District 90 School Board seats and to have its slate set by the end of this week.
District 90 Community Caucus Chairwoman Sue Kelty said the caucus planned to interview candidates Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and she hoped to announce the slates Thursday or Friday.
The four District 90 seats on the April 5 local election ballot are held by trustees Ron Atkins, Donna Cech, Sally DelBeccaro and Dennis Michon.
The three retiring board members - Cech, DelBeccaro and Michon - did not take out applications with the caucus, Kelty said. Atkins has.
DelBeccaro said she has been on the board for eight years and has decided her time on the board should end.
"I think there are a lot of good people out there who are probably interested in doing their fair share, and I think it's time for a change," DelBeccaro said.
People tend to serve on the board for two terms and then give their spot over to someone else, Cech said. Cech said part of her would like to continue with the board, but she will now have a chance to catch up on her graduate studies in health sciences.
"Someone else should have a chance to be part of the system," she said.
Michon said his eight years on the board is enough, and now that his children are out of the District 90 schools, he plans to volunteer at Oak Park-River Forest High School, where his son is a student.
"I need to take a little time off, and I'm already getting involved in the Booster Club at the high school," Michon said.
Atkins did not return seven calls placed to his home and work last week seeking comment. His voice mail Friday indicated he's out of town.
The caucus is made up of 24 people, 19 of whom vote on candidates. There are also three alternates, a District 90 teacher and the chairwoman, who do not vote. A second District 90 teacher may join, as well.
The community caucus is made up of volunteers from River Forest, Kelty said. A nominating committee chooses who sits on the caucus, and the group interviews candidates for a half hour each before deciding who to slate.
Generally, Kelty said, those selected by the caucus are voted onto the School Board.
"We don't have to slate four but . . . on the caucuses I've been on before, we've always slated the number of spots, so I hope to slate four," Kelty said. "If we find we don't feel there are four eligible candidates, we won't slate four.