Two new members and one returning board member for Glenbard Township High School District 87 took their seats Monday night.
Margaret DeLaRosa, Mary Fitzgerald Ozog and Martha Mueller were sworn in for four-year terms at the board’s May 4 meeting. DeLaRosa, of Glen Ellyn, was the top vote-getter in the April 7 election. Ozog, also of Glen Ellyn, was a close second, securing her second term on the board. Mueller, of Lombard, finished third, edging out incumbent Tom Trefilek.
The board now comprises five women and two men.
DeLaRosa, who sat on the district’s finance and facility committee, said she was thrilled to be elected and chuckled as she talked about adjusting to her new seat in the board room.
“I’m so used to sitting this way,” she said, pointing toward the seats for audience members. “So it’s a little disorienting. I just want to find my groove and learn from the other board members. But I’m looking forward to moving the district forward.”
Mueller, a bus driver for Glenbard East, said she was eager to get going and was particularly interested in addressing transportation issues in the district. She also said she was interested to observe how parents got involved with board discussions.
“I have the advantage of working with the kids every day and coming at it from that perspective,” Mueller said.
Ozog said she was happy and a little relieved that the election was over. After an impromptu discussion about the district’s policies for waiving the physical education requirement for students, Ozog said it was an issue she felt passionate about and looked forward to tackling again.
“I’ve been very much against eliminating PE waivers,” Ozog said after the meeting. “It’s very exasperating, and I’ve been fighting it since before I was elected. Otherwise, I think the district is in a very positive place.”
The new board unanimously selected its officers, with Richard Heim retaining his position as president and Ozog installed as vice president. Robert Friend will continue his role as parliamentarian, helping facilitate meetings.
Previous board vice president Rose Malcolm did not seek re-election. Neither she nor Trefilek attended the meeting.
The board also approved the memberships of several residents to four different board committees. Amy Goodman, Melissa Piwowar and Susan Rini were appointed to the Communication, Legislation and Partnerships Committee. Cindy Christensen, Dean Comber and Richard Mazzolini were named to the Policy Committee. Julia Gray, Kelly Sheridan and Mireya Vera were seated on the Student Performance and Achievement Committee. Charles Jones, Michael Lindquist and John Snyder will join the Finance and Facility Committee.
All 12 residents will serve until April 30, 2017.
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