Former Lake Villa school board member critical of Grayslake District 46 officials

Grayslake Elementary District 46’s elected officials have been scolded by a former school board member who served in the Lake Villa area.

Sean Carney voiced his less-than-flattering opinion of the District 46 board during public comment time at a meeting Wednesday. Per standard meeting procedure, board members didn’t reply to Carney after he spoke.

Carney told board members he tries to attend meetings in person or views streaming video of the sessions on District 46’s website. He served on the Lake Villa Elementary District 41 board from 2005 to 2007, and departed in midterm because he moved into District 46.

While board members are elected to make decisions he may not agree with, Carney said, he’s becoming concerned with the District 46 officials’ behavior and protocol.

“The fact that what appears to me — from watching online and listening here — politicking, the unprofessional yelling at each other, the clapping while we’re taking a vote, the paying attention behind me to what the audience is doing, that’s not why we’re here.

“You’re here to make decisions to educate my children and the children of this community. You were elected to do that.”

Carney added the board members should be “ashamed” of their behavior and are not good role models for the community.

Fresh faces are guaranteed to be on the District 46 board after the April 9 election. Incumbents Keith Surroz, Ray Millington, Karen Weinert and Michael Carbone are not seeking re-election to the seven-member panel.

Voters will have a choice of five candidates seeking four, 4-year board seats. Expected to be on the ballot are James Weidman, Steven Strack, Robert Roop Jr., Jill Alfrejd and Paul Sprenger.