The River Forest Elementary School District 90 Board of Education has formally opened the search to replace board President Pat Meyer.
Meyer, who has served on the school board since 2009 and became its president in 2013, submitted his resignation June 2.
The notice had been anticipated since he announced in December 2015 that he would be moving to Colorado.
Board Vice President Ralph Martire will serve as president pro-tem until a leadership reorganization later this month.
The school district now has 45 days to select Meyer’s replacement. Prospective candidates must be a registered voter who is at least 18 years of age and a resident of the district for at least one year. The candidate also cannot be a registered sex offender.
Applications can be picked up from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday at the District 90 administrative office, 7776 Lake St., or can be found, along with other information, on the district’s website, www.district90.org.
The deadline to file an application is 3 p.m., June 15. In July, the school board will appoint its new member, who will serve out the rest of Meyer’s term. That person can choose to run for a four-year seat outright in the spring 2017 election.
While understanding Meyer’s reason for departure, Superintendent Ed Condon, in a written statement, said Meyer “has been a calm and steadfast advocate for the district’s students. He is a well-respected and highly admired board member whose judgment, composure, and deep interest in our students, faculty and staff, administrators, and families benefited the entire River Forest community.”
Also in a written statement, Meyer noted that serving on the board of education is challenging and critical.
“Challenging because of the many upcoming issues that affect this District, such as the state’s budget situation … critical because through word and action, River Forest residents understand the importance of a high quality school system and willingly bring their resources to bear in support of our schools,” Meyer wrote.
