District 54 School Board appoints new member

The District 54 School Board appointed Bob Kaplan to the Board of Education to fulfill the remaining term of office for Karen Strykowski due to her resignation effective June 8, 2016.

"I'm looking forward to working with the fine Board of Education and the entire community of School District 54," he said. "I have a strong desire to help in continuing to deliver the best possible public education to all students that attend our schools."

The School Board interviewed 11 candidates during the week of June 20 and chose Kaplan. Board President Charlotte Kegarise said that all of the candidates would have made excellent School Board members.

"Bob Kaplan is very passionate about School District 54," Kegarise said. "He has a demonstrated record of putting students first, and is also committed to being fiscally responsible."

Kaplan has been a member of the District 54 community since 1960, having attended District 54 schools as a child. He also worked as a social studies and math teacher in District 54 for 27 years, a high school coach in District 211 for 19 years and a building administrator for six years. He retired from School District 54 six years ago.

Kaplan will serve until the next School Board election on April 4, 2017. If he wishes to remain on the School Board he will have to run for the office.