Lackner appointed to fill vacant seat on St. Charles school board

The St. Charles Unit District 303 school board has appointed Joseph Lackner to fill a seat vacated last month by the resignation of Michael Bryant.

Twenty-two people applied for the position, and seven finalists were interviewed by current board members at Monday's meeting. The board members discussed the interviews during closed session and notified the candidates of the decision on Tuesday.

Lackner, a management consultant with Ernst and Young, emerged from the pack and will be seated at the board's March 8 meeting.

"We are excited to have Mr. Lackner join the Community Unit School District 303 school board and believe that his professional experience and personal qualities will be a welcome addition," said School Board President Nick Manheim in a statement.

Lackner, his wife and their four children have been residents in District 303 since 2014. His term expires in 2023. Five candidates are vying for three open school board seats in the April 6 consolidated election including incumbents Heidi Fairgrieve, Ed McNally and Carolyn Waibel, and new candidates Kate Bell and Jim Stombres.