School board filings start Tuesday

Area school board candidates soon will line up for a place on the April 7 ballot.

Filing of nominating petitions begins at 8 a.m. Jan. 20 and ends at 5 p.m. Jan. 26.

Naperville Unit District 203 has four open 4-year terms now held by Dean Reschke, Debbie Shipley, Jackie Romberg and Susan Crotty.

Twelve people have picked up nominating forms from the district, although the papers also are available online.

Crotty, the board vice president, plans to run for a second term and Romberg, who was appointed in 2007, also will be on the ballot. Reschke and Shipley, who have served two and three terms respectively, won't seek re-election.

"I'm proud of the district and where we've been and where we're going," Shipley said. "I believe in quality education and we do a good job to provide the community with a good education and employ good people. Of course I'm very excited about the renovations to (Naperville) Central, the addition to Mill (Street Elementary) and the early childhood center."

Reschke said the district has accomplished the goals he had when he first ran for office, including balancing the budget and stabilizing its leadership. He plans to spend time volunteering at his church and around town.

"I'm one of those people who believes if you're not donating a couple hours a week to something outside yourself you're not doing what you're supposed to do," Reschke said.

The district will hold a candidate orientation session with administrators at 7 p.m. Feb. 9 at the district office, 203 W. Hillside Road.

In neighboring Indian Prairie Unit District 204, the board seats of John Stephens, Cathy Piehl, Christine Vickers and Jeannette Clark are open.

At least 17 people have picked up packets, including Vickers, who plans to run for a second term and Piehl, who was appointed in September 2008 and is seeking a full term.

Clark, who has been on the board since 1993, says she will not seek a fifth term.

"I've put in a good run and I have the privilege of serving the kids of this district for 16 years. It's the next person's turn in line to have that experience and be able to do that," said Clark, who is working on her teaching degree.

Stephens will not run for a second term after taking on new responsibilities with his job that require more travel. He said visiting schools and opening the Frontier Campus have been highlights of his tenure. He hopes new members will be open-minded.

"Being on the school board involves so many things, being involved in the schools, being involved in the finances, being involved in the wellness programs, just lot of requirements ... so if anybody is single-focused they're not going to enjoy their time on the board and not going to be productive," he said.

At least six candidates - including three incumbents - have picked up nominating petitions for four open seats in Lisle Unit District 202.

Incumbents Pam Ahlmann, Pat Sarb and Robert Tarasewicz are expected to seek re-election for 4-year terms. A fourth incumbent, Kathy Chatman, said she will not run.

Chatman, who has served on the board since 2000, said she's stepping down to spend more time with her family.

"There were just too many conflicts between being there for them and being at the board table," she said.

Ahlmann, who is board president, was appointed to the group in 2004 and elected for the first time in 2005. Sarb and Tarasewicz both were elected to first terms in 2005.