Fox Valley briefs

Dist. 158 president sets departure date:Huntley Unit District 158 school board President Shawn Green said he will step down after the board's March 4 meeting. "I am hopeful that by providing this notice more than a month in advance, a large pool of interested and qualified candidates will come forward to serve the community," Green wrote in an e-mail. The board will have 45 days to fill the vacancy after Green's departure. Per board policy, the district must advertise the vacancy and accept applications, Superintendent John Burkey said. Typically, the board conducts interviews before voting on a new member, but it is not required, district officials said.Westfield holds book drive:The Westfield Community School PTO is collecting gently used and new books for students in Community Unit District 300. Drop off books for kids in kindergarten through eighth grade in the red bins in Westfield's main office, 2100 Sleepy Hollow Road in Algonquin, through Feb. 16. Study aids also will be accepted. Call (847) 458-8821 for more information.Kimball Middle School celebrates 50 years:Kimball Middle School will officially celebrate its 50 year anniversary at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 26 with an open house, guided tours and a rededication ceremony in the school's gym, 451 N. McLean Blvd. in Elgin. Pictures will be posted throughout the building displaying the 50 years at Kimball. During school hours that day, the staff and students will dress in clothing from 1959. Anyone with Kimball artifacts is asked to bring them to the school.McHenry County drug court gets financial boost:The National Drug Court Institute is awarding an Adult Drug Court Planning Initiative grant to McHenry County's 22nd Judicial Circuit to assist in its creation of a special court for nonviolent offenders whose crimes can be traced to their alcohol or drug abuse. The grant will allow a team that includes a judge, prosecutors, defense lawyers and others in the criminal justice system to attend in a weeklong planning session in Nashville to help develop the county's program. The grant will cover the majority of the costs associated with the planning session, including travel and lodging costs. County leaders hope to have a drug court operational by late 2011.