Dist. 87, Dist. 200 races shaping up

The race for the Glenbard High School District 87 board of education will be missing only one thing this spring: enough candidates.

The deadline came and went Monday with only two people filing for four available seats - incumbent Thomas Voltaggio, who is seeking his second term, and newcomer Yadav Nathwani.

Nathwani, 25, is a 2001 graduate of Glenbard South and offers a financial background with his work for the Community Bank of Wheaton/Glen Ellyn.

"I just decided to get involved with the community," he said. "I wanted to be able to improve the district in any way I can."

Board President David Brown, Kathleen Schmidt and Lorraine Schuller all will give up their seats.

"I've enjoyed my service on the board, but the time has come to step aside," said Brown, who served for 13 years. "I have some other involvements and family considerations."

Schuller, who has been a board member for one term, also cited time commitments.

"I think it's time for someone else to volunteer," she said. "From an employment standpoint, it's hard for me to get away (for committee meetings)."

Schmidt, who has been on the District 87 board for six years and previously on the Glen Ellyn Elementary District 41 board for 12 years, said she's ready to move on.

"It's time for other people to take this on," she said. "I have other things I would like to do at this point in time."

Brown said there is still an opportunity for write-in candidates to run for the two open spots. Those candidates have until Feb. 5 to file an intent to run.

"The other possibility would be for the existing board to pick someone after the new board is seated," he said.

Meanwhile, six candidates emerged in Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200. Four incumbents and two newcomers are vying for four seats on the school board.

On Monday, Ken Knicker and Joann Coghill joined fellow incumbents Andrew Johnson and Barbara Intihar by submitting their nominating petitions.

Warrenville residents George Kocan and Charlie Pfeister filed their paperwork at the district's headquarters last week.

The top four vote-getters in April will serve 4-year terms on the District 200 board.

Pfeister, who owns his own vending company, says he's seeking his first public office because he feels he "can bring a lot to the table" as a school board member.

"I want the best we can possibly get for the kids, and I'd like to see if we can get rid of a deficit that we're working with," he said. "If we can do that, I would be absolutely thrilled."