Dist. 303 opens up board interviews
All seven applicants for an open seat on the St. Charles school board will have an equal shot at getting the job.
The board opted Monday to interview the entire slate in public this week, instead of pursuing only four or five finalists.
Among the applicants are former board member Will Hohm, who served in the 1970s, and Steve Spurling, who ran unsuccessfully for a seat in April. The others are Cherry Binetti, James Chimienti, Kenneth King, Janet McAlpin and Matthew Pullman.
Each candidate will participate in a 30-minute interview during a public meeting set for 7 p.m. Wednesday at District 303 headquarters, 201 S. Seventh St. The board would make a final decision Thursday or the following Tuesday.
Board President Kathy Hewell said officials are setting a precedent by doing interviews in open session.
"I hope people realize how unusual it is for a board to open up this process publicly," Hewell said.
The successful candidate would replace Chris Hansen, who resigned last month after 10 years on the board.
Hansen has said a newcomer "without any baggage" would help the board move beyond recent controversies, including the board's admission that it broke the law in 2005 when it approved a contract extension for the superintendent behind closed doors.
On Monday, board member Jim Gaffney also sought to move past that controversy, saying he had never made clear how sorry he was for participating in the illegal vote.
"I apologize to the public for the actions of the board and myself," Gaffney said in an impromptu statement to the public.
As for the board appointment, members indicated they are looking for someone who has served in some capacity within the district.
They also said the candidates should have a strong understanding of how the board works and the time commitment involved.
The candidates, who all have St. Charles addresses, bring a variety of professional backgrounds, including law, education and medicine. At least three have children attending schools in the district.