Parents want two Dist. 158 board members to quit
Many residents living within Huntley Unit District 158 say they don't want a lot for Christmas. There are only two things they need: the resignations of Larry Snow and Aileen Seedorf, a pair of unpopular board members residents say are using their positions to bully and lodge personal attacks against school officials and fellow board members.
The toxic environment claimed its first victim Thursday night. District Comptroller Stacie Talbert resigned after six months on the job, saying it physically hurt her when Snow and Seedorf publicly dressed down her colleagues.
Talbert, who will now oversee finances for the Rockford Park District, said the two never targeted her, but she believed it was only a matter of time before they did.
"I feel like a sitting duck, like when is it going to be my turn? As a financial professional, I can't have my integrity be shot down," she said.
Thursday night, during a school board meeting that attracted more than 50 people, nine parents lined up one by one, demanding that Snow and Seedorf resign, calling them "obstructionists" and accusing them of political pandering and grandstanding.
"Do everyone a favor and please resign," said Lake in the Hills resident Paul Troy, who with his wife Jennifer used a community Web site to call out the two board members for their behavior.
Only one person, Don Bond of Huntley, came to the couple's defense.
"Come on folks, let's not have a hanging here tonight," he said. "Let's be fair and honest."
After hearing the harsh words, Snow and Seedorf say they're more determined than ever not to give their detractors an early Christmas present in the form of resignations.
Board meetings have been contentious for months but boiled over after Seedorf filed a police report accusing board Vice President Tony Quagilano of threatening her. Snow, for his part, filed a complaint with the state's attorney, alleging some board members engaged in criminal misconduct.
Despite all the bad blood, parent Bruce Augustine reminded everyone that the children of District 158 should be everyone's priority.