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Schools

District 97 Setting Process to Fill Vacancy

Board has 45 days from Sept. 30 to name replacement for Jennifer Reddy.

hasn’t formally resigned from the school board, but folks are already lining up to take her place.

Several people have expressed interest in the position to board secretary Sheryl Marinier, District 97 spokesman Chris Jasculca said Thursday morning.

And the district is still in the initial phases of paving the way for replacing her, he added. “This is a fluid process. She just made the announcement [Tuesday],” Jasculca said.

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When her formal announcement comes Sept. 30, the district will have ready an application in which prospective candidates will have to spell out their qualifications. A deadline for submitting paperwork and when a decision will be made have not yet been set, Jasculca said.

A school district has 45 days from the day she formlally resigns. “The second she hands in the letter, the 45-day time period begins,” Jasculca said. “We are committed to filling the position within the 45 days.”

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Board members must be at least 18 years of age, a resident of the district for at least one year and a registered voter.

Reddy was elected to her only four-year seat on the board in April 2009; the person chosen will serve out the rest of that term, which ends in April 2013.  

“In two years, we did a lot with the referendum and the hiring of a new superintendent," Reddy told TribLocal. "It was an exciting and stressful two years, but a rewarding two years."

Her family will be moving to New York, where her husband will become a group leader at the Brookhaven National Laboratory

Her peers on the board are leaving her with some kind parting words. School board president Peter Barber said in a statement “we are saddened by the thought of losing such a valued member of our team and important leader in our community. Through her strong commitment to education and tireless advocacy on behalf of the children we serve, she has ensured the long-term success of our schools and our students, and left an indelible mark on this village that will be celebrated and honored for years to come."

Interested residents are encouraged to review district bylaws on vacancies and filling board vacancies, district officials said. Contact information should be given to Sheryl Marinier by phone at (708) 524-3004 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday or by e-mailing smarinier@op97.org.

Reddy's resignation marks the second time in less than six months that an Oak Park school system has had to fill a board vacancy. In June, was named to replace on the board governing .

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