Four want to fill Dist. 158 opening

A familiar face could be back on the Huntley Unit District 158 school board as soon as next week.

Former board President Mike Skala, who was first elected in 1997 and lost his re-election bid in the spring, is one of four candidates who applied for the seat vacated by Jim Carlin.

Skala, with 10 years of experience and relationships with many current board members and administrators, is seen as the most likely replacement for Carlin, who resigned last month only six months after his swearing-in.

Linda Moore, who like Skala was unsuccessful in her election bid to the board this year, also applied to serve out the rest of Carlin's term.

Moore, who was backed by board member Larry Snow in the last election, works for Moore Turf Care and serves on District 158's financial advisory committee.

Moore Turf Care came under fire earlier this year after officials said the company caused an estimated $24,000 in damage to district property while removing snow from district grounds.

Moore on Wednesday said she was undaunted by Skala's prospects and the snow removal controversy.

"I expected Mike to try," Moore said. "I know that he has close relationships with many of the board members. I'm still going to try my best."

David Larkin, who also ran unsuccessfully for the board in the spring, as well as frequent meeting attendee Paul Troy, also applied for the vacant seat.

The successful applicant will serve until spring 2009, when a two-year term on the board will be open.

All of the applicants will get a chance to state their case next week. Because there are only four applicants, board President Shawn Green said interviews will probably take place before Tuesday's regular board meeting.

Each candidate will be permitted a three-minute opening and closing statement and must field one question from each of the six board members, Green said.

After the interviews are complete, the board will deliberate in closed session and vote on the consensus choice in open session. The interviews will also be open to the public.

The new board member will be sworn in and seated at the same meeting and will be able to discuss and vote on district business, Green said.

The board president said he doesn't expect the learning curve to be steep for the four applicants.

"Those four names are probably involved enough to have all the information they need," Green said.