Dist 118 seeks candidates for vacant board seat

Wauconda Unit District 118 officials are looking for candidates to fill an open school board seat.

Board member Gary Midkiff resigned April 29 because he is moving out of District 118. The board has 45 days to fill the vacancy. So far, one candidate has applied, officials said.

Midkiff served 13 months of his first term on the board, set to end in April 2013.

Superintendent Dan Coles said the board will select a replacement to serve an interim term ending April 5, 2011. Voters will then elect someone to fill the final two years of Midkiff's term.

New board members are provided with training by the Illinois Association of School Boards. Coles said a current District 118 board member will mentor and meet regularly with Midkiff's replacement.

Midkiff recommended the interim board member become aware of the state funding issues at the district.

"The impact of the reductions and delays in state funding was much larger than I understood coming into the board," he said. "The extent to which it impacts programs was surprising to me."

In March, district officials were forced to cut jobs and programming from next year's budget.

Officials are asking district residents interested in being considered for the seat to send a resume to Board President John Armstrong, 555 N. Main St., Wauconda by Thursday, May 20. The school board will review applicants and make a decision no later than June 13.

The applicant must be 18 years old, a U.S. citizen and registered voter, and someone who has lived in the district for more than a year.

"If people are interested in kids and their achievement and the community, then this is certainly a great thing," Coles said.