Dist. 303 school board re-elects last year's leaders

The St. Charles school board this week had its annual chance to elect a new president, vice president and secretary, but it opted to keep leadership the same as it has been for the last year.

Some interpreted it as a welcomed sign of solidarity.

"I would infer that it means the board feels we're going in a good direction," board President Kathy Hewell said. "We're working hard, we're collegial, respectful and enjoying the board work again."

In addition to keeping Hewell as president, Jim Gaffney will be vice president again while Scott Nowling will continue as board secretary. The trio took on those positions by split votes last May after haggling over how officers should be appointed -- a stark contrast to Monday's 6-0 votes. Board member Bob Lindahl was absent.

"I'm pleased that things have calmed down," Nowling said. "We're getting somewhere as a team."

Last year's appointments followed a contentious election that coincided with the controversial departure of former superintendent Barbara Erwin and school boundary revisions that were protested by hundreds of parents. At the time, the board was known for butting heads in public, which played a part in veteran member Chris Hansen resigning.

This week, Hewell said the board has been working together better since Superintendent Don Schlomann arrived in July and cut the number of regular monthly board meetings in half so members could focus more on addressing issues while serving on newly formed committees.

Hewell joked that the public might feel more comfortable with the board's behavior at meetings these days. In general, she acknowledged, board members appear to get along better and seem more relaxed, though there are occasional disagreements.

"I'd like to say, it's safe to come back and watch the board meetings again," Hewell said with the kind of laugh you might not have heard this time last year.