Longtime District 59 board member Sharon Roberts steps down

Elk Grove Township Elementary District 59 has a vacancy on its board of education, after longtime board member Sharon Roberts stepped down from her elected position last week.

Roberts, who spent time as board president, vice president and secretary since first being elected in 2005, formally handed in her resignation Friday. The school board announced her resignation Monday night.

"I am incredibly thankful for the opportunity to have served on the CCSD59 Board of Education," Roberts said in a statement released by the school district. "After serving for nearly 15 years, it is time to step away to focus on family and the increased travel to meet my family's needs. There are also life experiences that my husband and I have planned, and we look forward to the time ahead to travel together."

Roberts served on several district committees, was a founding member of the district's education foundation, and previously served as president of the Robert Frost Parent Teacher Organization.

Applications to serve out the remainder of Robert's term, which expires in April 2021, are available at ccsd59.org and due back to the superintendent's office by 4 p.m. Jan. 31. The school board will appoint the new member.

District 59 educates about 6,700 students from an approximately 24-square-mile area that includes portions of Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Elk Grove Village and Mount Prospect.