District 158 board names Huntley attorney to fill vacancy

Michael Fleck is the newest member of the District 158 school board. The Huntley attorney was appointed last week — less than three months before his name will appear on the April election ballot for the same position.

District 158 school board members chose Fleck over Huntley resident James Rojek, who was the only other applicant for the open spot. Former board President Michael Skala vacated his seat after his election to the McHenry County Board in November.

Don Drzal, District 158 board president, said the board was impressed with both applicants and their ties to the district, but ultimately voted to welcome Fleck to the board.

“It just seemed to make sense to give him the position at this point in time as he would be taking that seat in April anyway,” Drzal said.

The District 158 school board has four seats up for election in April. Drzal will seek re-election along with Kimberly Skaja and Paul Troy. Fleck is the fourth candidate in an uncontested race.

Fleck has been involved in public service since he moved to Huntley in 1995. He was the president of the Huntley Area Library District in the 1990s during construction of the current library. He also served as president of the McHenry County Bar Association in 2006-2007 and is a member of the Centegra Foundation.

Fleck is a managing partner of the law firm Fleck and Meyers. He said he has been interested in the board for years as a resident and has had kids in the district since he moved to Huntley. Fleck also is the former president of Skala’s political action group and helped him in a past re-election bid to the school board.

Fleck said he wants to get up to speed as a board member before making suggestions and advocating specific positions but is excited to get to work.

“I’ve been thrilled with the growth of the district over the years and really just want to be a part of continuing that so we do it in a fiscally responsible way,” Fleck said.