District 204 board appoints Grover to vacant seat after waiving typical process

Natasha Grover is back on the Indian Prairie Unit District 204 school board after members opted to forgo their usual appointment process and named her to a vacant seat.

The board vacancy was created by the appointment of Supna Jain to an empty spot on the Naperville City Council. Jain was officially sworn in as a councilwoman last week.

Citing the immediacy of several “critical tasks,” school board President Laurie Donahue asked members to waive their typical process for filling a vacated seat. The board agreed to do so without discussion.

“Typically, the opening would be posted for applications, interviews held, and a candidate selected. Last time we had an opening, we had over 30 applicants,” Donahue said. “One of the board's most important responsibilities is selecting and hiring the superintendent. We are currently in the midst of this process with key actions needed by the board in the weeks ahead.”

The board still aims to have a new superintendent selected and contracted in December. Current Superintendent Adrian Talley announced in April that he would not be requesting renewal of his contract, which expires at the end of this school year.

The district's contract with the union representing teachers is also scheduled to expire in 2026, according to a copy of the pact posted on its website.

“Additionally, in preparation for upcoming negotiations, we have just started to discuss union contract terms,” Donahue said.

Jain was first elected to the school board in 2021 and won reelection this past April. Grover, an attorney and district parent, will complete the rest of the term until the next election in April 2027.

“We know your experience and passion will allow you to immediately contribute to the critical activities in front of this board,” Donahue said.

Grover was first appointed to the board in 2018 and won her first full term in April 2019. She did not run for reelection in 2023.

Grover said she values the board’s “dedication and commitment to this voluntary role.”

“And I thank my colleagues for placing their trust in me once again,” she said.

The district includes a preschool, 21 elementary schools, seven middle schools and three high schools. It serves students from parts of Aurora, Naperville, Bolingbrook and Plainfield.