St. Charles school board earns low marks

Wanted: Volunteer to help fix dysfunctional bunch. No pay. No benefits. Desire to educate children a must.

A classified ad for the St. Charles school board might read something like this, now that veteran member Chris Hansen has quit.

But with all the bickering, distrust and turmoil lingering between those remaining, the question quickly becomes: Who would want this job?

Not Kenneth Bertrand.

Joe Annett doesn't want it, either.

Both men, who ran unsuccessfully last spring for board seats, said Thursday that more resignations are in order before they would even consider applying for the post.

Otherwise, "God forbid, it will just be more of the same," Bertrand said. "Two people still need to resign: (board Vice President) Jim Gaffney and (President) Kathy Hewell. They need to go."

Hewell said Thursday that she did not anticipate more resignations. Gaffney declined to comment.

Several members of the public have clamored for Hewell, Gaffney and Hansen to resign since they recently admitted participating in an illegal vote behind closed doors two years ago.

Hansen stepped aside Wednesday, saying someone "without any baggage" should take his place. That task might be difficult, Hewell acknowledged, in light of the board's recent conduct.

"Given the difficulties we've had, there might be some people who don't want to step into that," she said.

According to school code, the board has 30 days to appoint a replacement before the Kane County Regional Office of Education steps in.

The board has not yet outlined a formal process but in the past it solicited resumes and conducted interviews before appointing a new member.

The successful candidate would be in office until the next school board election, in the spring of 2009.

Carolyn Shannon, another unsuccessful candidate from the spring election, said she needs to talk to remaining board members before deciding whether she wants the job.

However, the board's recent haggling "doesn't scare me at all," she said.

"There's a lot a new board member can do to help, and they obviously need some help," Shannon said. "But it's certainly worth it. It's just a question of who would be a good fit."

Steven Spurling, who also sought a seat last spring, said he's open to the idea of being on the board, but would be more likely to apply if Gaffney resigned.

Gaffney has been the subject of severe public scrutiny since a tape recording of the illegal 2005 vote was released to the public. In the recording, Gaffney indicates he wanted to keep a contract extension for then-superintendent Barbara Erwin secret from the public.

"If he's gone, I will definitely consider it," Spurling said of Gaffney. "If he's still there, then I'm just one more victim."

Hansen said he hoped his leaving would change the dynamics of the seven-member panel.

With a newcomer, there would be three fresh faces as of this year, including newly elected Bob Lindahl and Scott Nowling.

Gaffney and Hewell were re-elected last spring to two- and four-year terms, respectfully, and Lori Linkimer's and Karla Ray's posts don't expire until 2009.

Jeff Blankenship, who also sought a seat in April, said he "absolutely" wants the open chair, and believes one person can turn the board around.

"All I've seen so far is the same old thing -- different board, same type of behavior, which is unacceptable," he said.

"But one person can make a difference," he added. "It all depends on that person's ability to persuade people that this is the direction we need to take, that this is what our constituents are looking for."

Regional Superintendent Doug Johnson said he hopes a new member helps the board get back to addressing student needs.

"That is their focus," he said. "Not each other."