Quagliano reclaims seat on Huntley school board

Imagine you are a single, 42-year-old man driving with a buddy through the tundra of northern Canada.

You see two women on the side of the road: one, an attractive young woman, the girl you've been waiting for; the other, an elderly woman who urgently needs medical attention.

Your car only seats three people.

What do you do?

The lengthy, unusual prompt was one of five anonymous questions posed to the three candidates for Shawn Green's vacant seat on the Huntley Unit District 158 school board Thursday night.

After a 50-minute public interview session, the board deliberated behind closed doors for less than half-hour and voted to appoint former board Vice President Tony Quagliano, with five in favor and Aileen Seedorf abstaining.

Speaking after the meeting, Quagliano, who brings considerable expertise in school finance, said he believes the district's finances have improved enough that he can take a less active approach than he did during his previous tenure on the board.

"I'm thinking I'm stepping into a lot better place," Quagliano said. "I'm thinking it's going to be an easy gig."

Quagliano played a large role in restoring public trust in the district's finances after a mishandled referendum several years ago and has worked with legislators to address a number of school finance issues over the years.

Quagliano, a certified public accountant who previously served on the board from 2006 to 2009, when he decided not to seek re-election, beat out Huntley Park District Commissioner Paul LaFleur and former teacher Keith Williams.

A fourth candidate, William Geheren, director of sales at a publishing firm, dropped out before Thursday's meeting, according to board President Kevin Gentry.

Gentry encouraged LaFleur and Williams to stay active in the district, saying, "I was very appreciative of the energy and interest."

Despite a vacancy at board vice president, Quagliano did not try to reclaim his former leadership post. Instead, the title went to former board President Mike Skala in a 6-1 vote, with Seedorf voting for Don Drzal.

Quagliano will serve for about a year, until the spring 2011 board elections. He has already said he doesn't plan to run.