Dist. 57 looking for new board members

Mount Prospect School District 57 will give three newcomers a chance to serve on its school board next spring after almost half the members recently announced they would not seek another term.

Board members Sue Ramstedt, Ann Hull and Greg Kurr said they won't seek another four years from voters next spring.

Only one incumbent, Joann Harms, who was elected four years ago, will be asking voters for another opportunity to serve the district. School Board President Joseph Leane said he's hoping members of the community will come forward to serve on the board, which currently has seven members.

"An important attribute for a board member is seeing the big picture and being a consensus builder and team player on many issues," Leane said. "With seven board members with seven opinions, we have to educate ourselves, come to a consensus, vote, approve and support a solution to a problem."

The time commitment ranges from week to week. but adds up to about six hours a month, between board meetings, which occur at 7:30 p.m. every first and third Thursday at the district, occasional board retreats, and attending miscellaneous school events through the year, Leane said.

School capacity at Fairview and Lions Park elementary schools will be one of the more important issues that new board members will tackle, said Hull, who is not running due to personal commitments.

"While the district has made great strides in academic excellence and maintaining our facilities on a tight budget while maintaining reserves, we still have an unacceptable overcrowding issue at Fairview and Lions Park and an underutilized Westbrook facility," she said.

Nominating petitions are available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at the administration building, 701 W. Gregory St. in Mount Prospect.

Petitions must be filed with the district between 8 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, and 5 p.m., Monday, Jan. 26.

To be eligible, a board member must be at least 18 years old at the date of election, a citizen of the U.S., a registered voter, resident of Illinois and live in the district for at least one year before the election on April 7.

For more information, call (847) 385-3713.