Dist. 158 weighs options after Carlin steps down

One day after Jim Carlin ended his brief tenure on the Huntley Unit District 158 school board, district officials on Friday were weighing their options for replacing him.

Carlin, elected in March, announced his resignation at the end of Thursday's board meeting.

Carlin did not return calls seeking comment, but fellow board members said Carlin seemed frustrated with the acrimony on the board and the bureaucratic pace of business.

"Jim's been really good at moving things forward … but I don't think he operates well on the idea that you have to have a meeting and have it posted 48 hours (in advance) and have an agenda," board Vice President Tony Quagliano said. "He just wants to run and move."

Carlin's resignation became official Friday after the district received his formal resignation letter.

The district already is considering how to fill the vacancy -- only six months after Carlin was sworn in.

One option is for the board to post the seat as an open position, interview candidates and take a vote.

This has been the district's practice in the past. Quagliano, who is credited with helping right the district's finances, was appointed in 2005 after the board held interviews to fill the seat vacated by Glen Stewart.

But that's not the only option. The board could also select the candidate who received the next-highest vote total in the spring elections.

"We don't even have to go through an interview process," board President Shawn Green said.

This could be problematic. That candidate would be former board President Mike Skala, who had 1,871 votes.

But finishing behind Skala was Linda Moore, with just one fewer vote.

If Skala and Moore had been in contention for a seat at election time, Moore would have had recourse to challenge the vote count.

That recourse would not be available to her if the board bypassed the interview process and appointed Skala.

"I'd like to serve the community again, but I'll have to talk to my wife about that," Skala said on Friday.

Moore could not be reached for comment.

Whatever the board decides, it has plenty of time. The district has 45 days to fill Carlin's seat, Green said.

It remains to be seen what effect Carlin's departure will have on the dynamics of the board. Since being elected, Carlin has been a vocal presence on the board, often serving as a foil for fellow board member Larry Snow.