Norridge School District 80 Board members turned to a relative newcomer Dec. 12 to fill an open seat on their school board, saying they hope he will bring a fresh perspective on some of the challenges the district faces.
Board members selected Frank Stoffel, 36, who said he moved to Norridge a few years ago with wife Meghan, in part because of the community’s quality schools. He will fill the seat left open after the top vote-getter in the April 4 election failed to take his seat.
Stoffel, a police officer in nearby Schiller Park, was seated alongside other board members on Dec. 12, listening as officials laid out some of the options board members must choose from, entering the third year of their deficit-reduction plan.
Board President Srbo Radisavljevic welcomed him aboard.
“Frank, thank you for putting your name in the hat,” he said. “We wish you the best of luck because if you’re successful, we’re all successful.”
Elected candidate Adam McGready had maintained following the election that he had withdrawn from the post and didn’t need to resign. Cook County and school authorities stated that it was too late to withdraw and that McGready would have to tender a resignation so the district could move forward on filling the seat.
The board moved to fill the seat last month after McGready was officially removed by the regional superintendent’s office. With a 45-day window to replace McGready, applicants were invited to submit a letter of interest to fill the seat.
Six people applied for the post, submitting a letter of interest and resume, Radisavljevic said. From that list, board members were asked to choose their top three. That information was then compiled, and the top three top candidates overall were chosen to come back for interviews, Radisavljevic said.
Interviews with the finalists were held Dec. 7 at Leigh School, 8151 W. Lawrence Ave.
Board members convened to come to a consensus and chose Stoffel, Radisavljevic said.
“We felt that his skill set would best suit Norridge School District 80 to take us to the next level,” he said.
As a police officer and public servant, Stoffel is already “experienced in dealing with complicated issues dealing with people who need help,” a skill that should translate well to the school board, Radisavljevic said.
“We need an individual that can gather facts and interpret facts,” he explained, “and take those facts and help lead our community to be successful.”
Stoffel is also a relative newcomer to the district. With a young family, just starting in the schools, he has a “vested interest” to see the district succeed, Radisavljevic noted.
In an interview following the meeting, Stoffel said he had attended District 80 meetings previously.
“The district’s financial situation just sort of piqued my interest and kind of sparked the fire in me to get involved,” he said. “I have three children and wanted to see if I could help. I may not have all the solutions, but I’m definitely going to try.”
As for priorities, the district’s children are his first priority.
“If the school district thrives and the children thrive, the community in general is going to thrive,” he said.
Next is finding a solution to the district’s financial challenges.
“We have to be financially responsible,” he said. “I understand we’re dealing with taxpayers’ money.”
