District 15 critic Sriram resigns from board
Manjula Sriram, a frequent voice of dissent on the Palatine Township Elementary School District 15 school board, has resigned from the panel.
The Palatine resident emailed her letter of resignation to the board Nov. 24.
Sriram was first elected in April 2011, when she ran on a winning slate with former board members Scott Herr and Gerard Iannuzzelli. The trio voted against deficit spending and often challenged fiscal decisions by other board members and district administrators.
But Herr decided not to seek a second term in April's elections and Sriram's running mates, Iannuzzelli and Frank Annerino, lost. The ensuing board makeup often left Sriram as the only member asking questions during meetings and voting against the rest of the panel.
Sriram recently disagreed with a proposed 0.8 percent tax levy increase, saying the district needs to reduce spending instead.
On Monday, Sriram said the board fostered better communication and discussion during her first term.
"The board at that time was very open-minded," she said. "Everybody had the opportunity to speak and was never made to feel that they were being shut out for disagreeing."
With the current board, Sriram said she was shut out for asking questions and dissenting from the majority.
Sriram said she'll likely attend school board meetings as a resident after she takes some time away.
"I joined the board because I didn't want to sit on the sidelines," she said.
District 15 Superintendent Scott Thompson on Monday thanked Sriram for her service.
"We understand she's got reasons why she's resigned," he said.
The board has 45 days from Nov. 24 to fill Sriram's seat. The seat will then be up for election in 2017, Thompson said.
If the board cannot agree on a candidate, Bruce Brown, the regional superintendent of north Cook County schools, will make the appointment. It was Brown who appointed Gerald Chapman earlier this year after a split board could not agree on a replacement for board member Richard Bokor, who died in January.
Thompson said he doesn't think the board will have trouble making a decision this time. He has previously spoken of wanting to "unify" the board, and board President Peggy Babcock has said the board speaks with one voice, not several dissenting opinions.
With Sriram out, that could become a reality.
District 15 is required to publicize the vacancy and accept resumes from district residents interested in the position.
Thompson said the board plans to meet before its Dec. 9 meeting to discuss the process of choosing a new board member.