Glen Ellyn District 89 seeking applicants for vacant school board seat
The Glen Ellyn Elementary District 89 school board will appoint a new member next month to fill a vacant seat until the 2019 election.
The appointed member will succeed Giselle Sandi-Tapia, who is leaving in the midst of her first term on the board. The district announced the vacancy Tuesday night, two days after Sandi-Tapia submitted her letter of resignation.
"She is stepping down because she has been offered new opportunities at work, which would limit the time available for her board responsibilities," a district statement reads.
Sandi-Tapia, director of mentoring programs at Rush University Medical Center, took her seat in spring 2015. Her resignation comes less than a month after the board approved a plan to phase-in new attendance boundaries for elementary students.
"It has been a pleasure being part of the CCSD 89 board," Sandi-Tapia said in a statement. "I am so proud of all we have accomplished in the past three years, and I have no doubt the board will continue these successes in the future, for the benefit of our students and community.
"I will continue to support your efforts as a community member and parent, and wish you the best in future initiatives."
Voters won't get to decide who fills Sandi-Tapia's place on the board because the vacancy opened up with fewer than 868 days left in her term, a timeline set by Illinois School Code. Per board policy, the vacancy must be filled no later than Feb. 22.
Officials are inviting anyone interested in the position to an informational session at district offices at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 30.
Applicants seeking Sandi-Tapia's seat must be an adult resident and a registered voter who has lived in the district for at least one year.
To apply, a letter of interest, resume and completed information form available on the district's website are due to Board Secretary Jill Coran by Feb. 1. The materials can be emailed to jcoran@ccsd89.org or mailed to Jill Coran, Community Consolidated School District 89, 22W600 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn, IL 60137.
The remaining six board members will interview contenders in closed-door meetings in early February. Sandi-Tapia's successor will be sworn in after a public board vote.
The board last appointed a new member in September 2015. Haydee Núñez was chosen from a field of nine candidates who applied to fill the seat left vacant by former board President Frank Zak.