St. Charles school board to interview 7 candidates

St. Charles school board members tonight begin selecting their next colleague from a lineup that includes two educators, an attorney, a medical doctor, an independent contractor, an administrative assistant and a financial services salesman.

The board plans to interview each of the seven candidates individually, starting at 7 p.m. at District 303 headquarters, 201 S. Seventh St. The 30-minute interviews will take place in public.

The successful applicant would replace Chris Hansen, who resigned last month after 10 years on the board. He or she would fill the volunteer post until the next board election, in spring of 2009.

Board members plan to ask each of the candidates at least seven questions, including whether the applicant has volunteered or served in any capacity in District 303 and whether they understand the duties of the board and time commitment involved.

The board plans to make a final decision Thursday or the following Tuesday.

Meet the applicants

•Cherry Binetti of St. Charles is an administrative assistant at Houghton Mifflin Co. She has four children, three of whom attend District 303. She volunteered as a lunchroom supervisor, classroom worker, librarian and other positions in Carol Stream District 93 before moving to St. Charles in 2004.

•James Chimienti of St. Charles is an independent contractor who designs Web sites and Internet databases. His three children attend classes in District 303. He has served on the District 303 Gifted and Talented Task Force, coached local sports and was technology chairman for the district's last referendum campaign.

•Will Hohm of St. Charles is a medical doctor. He was elected to a three-year school board term in 1972, and was later appointed to a two-year term. He has served three terms on the Norris Recreation Center board of trustees, including as president.

•Kenneth King of St. Charles has a doctorate degree in education and is a professor at Roosevelt University. He has authored two books on teaching education and taught in District 303 and Elgin Area U-46. He has two children in District 303; his wife teaches at Wredling Middle School. He has served on a curriculum council in DeKalb District 428.

•Janet McAlpin of St. Charles has a doctorate degree in education and more than 20 years of experience as a public schools teacher and administrator. One of her three children graduated from District 303. She previously worked with the Batavia school district on various issues, including redrawing boundaries.

•Matthew Pullman of South Elgin is a claims attorney and has served as a reservist in the Army, specializing as an assistant judge advocate. He has lived in St. Charles since 2001.

•Steve Spurling of St. Charles works in financial services sales for Principal Financial Group in Lombard. He ran unsuccessfully for the board in the April election, placing fourth among 10 candidates for three seats. He has volunteered at his church and coached youth sports.