District 158 board leaders may not seek re-election

The names of two school board leaders could be missing when voters in Huntley Unit District 158 fill out their April ballots.

Board Vice President Tony Quagliano said this week he will not run for re-election, and board President Shawn Green said he also may stay out of the fray.

Since his appointment in 2006, Quagliano has provided financial leadership and helped restore trust in the district after its mishandled 2004 referendum.

The Algonquin accountant and district parent said the demands of his job and the time he would like to spend with his family will not allow him to serve the district as effectively as he has in the past.

"I'd still like to be involved," Quagliano said. "I just can't commit the hours it takes to do that service."

Green said this week he is "right down the middle" about seeking re-election.

He missed many meetings during last year's teacher contract negotiations because of knee surgery and a temporary reassignment to a different work shift. He said his schedule will not be an issue if he is re-elected.

"If there are four or five people I'm comfortable with voting for, I won't feel a need to run," Green said.

But if he sees political rivals poised to take control of the board, he said, "I'll feel that I have no choice but to run to put a stop to that."

Whether outspoken board member Larry Snow seeks re-election may have a bearing on Green's decision.

Snow, who has often clashed with Green, said this week he had not made a decision yet.

"I haven't focused any time or thought on it, to tell you the truth," he said.

Green may have an ally in Grafton Township Trustee Rob LaPorta, who he is encouraging to run for a seat on the school board. LaPorta, who is up for re-election to the township board this year, said he is undecided.

Former board President Mike Skala and board Secretary Kim Skaja said this week they will run again.

Paul Troy, a Lake in the Hills parent who has called for Snow's resignation and applied for a board vacancy that ultimately went to Skala, took out petitions for a board seat, but declined to comment on his plans.

Lake in the Hills resident Don Drzal indicated this week he may be leaning against a run. He earlier expressing an interest in a board seat after last year's teacher contract negotiations prompted him to start a blog on the district.

Aileen Seedorf and Kevin Gentry are the only board members who are not up for re-election this year.