Fundraiser would bring talent to board

If Lynne Nellemann is chosen to fill the vacant school board seat in St. Charles Unit District 303, the task won't be anything new to her except for maybe a chance to finally do all the things she's spent her life on at the same time.

Nellemann is a five-year resident of St. Charles, and both of her sons are grown men with their own careers. However, Nellemann herself is still in school. Indeed, she's worked toward some degree or another most of her life and now spends much of her time in front of the classroom at Dominican University as a teacher.

Before that, Nellemann spent time at the highest ranks of corporate boards and scavenging from the deepest pockets as a renowned fundraiser.

"I've been a management consultant for over a decade," Nellemann said. "I know the process of how do we get from here to there. I have a real clear vision for the future."

That could be a key asset in a school district trying to determine if it should ask taxpayers for a $265 million tax increase for new and remodeled school buildings.

Nellemann said she didn't think it would be appropriate to share her views of the potential referendum prior to the board appointing someone to fill the vacancy created by Bob Lindahl's resignation last month.

That task will be fulfilled tonight at an open board meeting. Nellemann did say, however, that she believes the process has been remarkably open and inclusive for the community to this point.

Appointed or not, Nellemann said she will run for the board seat in April.