Conway Recognized for Service

Jacques Conway has attended an board meeting for the last time.

After , the board unanimously adopted a resolution paying tribute to Conway's years of service to the community.

A former member of the Oak Park police force, Conway was first elected to the board in 2005 and re-elected in 2009. He served as school board president and liaison to a number school and community organizations. He in May for professional and personal reasons, leaving two years remaining on his term.

Calling him impossible to replace, former colleagues noted that students were always at the heart of his service to District 200. Fisher said Conway spent more hours in service than anyone she’d ever met. “This (Oak Park and River Forest High School) is a different place because of that,” she said.

Ralph Lee called Conway the only public official who left his jurisdiction in better shape than he’d found it.

And Sharon Patchak-Layman said she hoped the board would take up suggestions he had made including a community service requirement for seniors, peer review for teachers and stipends and scholarships that would help students improve their grades.

Conway said he had worked with a lot of great people while in District 200.

“It has been a privilege to sit at this table and work with the board and staff on behalf of our students. I’m grateful for the work you all do, big time,” said Conway. “The teachers here made a difference in the lives of my children.”