School board elections nearing
Prospective candidates for the upcoming school board elections can begin circulating petitions as of Oct. 28 to appear on the ballot this spring, and in Forest Park, voters will help decide who occupies eight seats.
The District 91 elementary school Board of Education will see four terms expire in April. In Proviso high school District 209, another four seats will be on the ballot. In both districts the school board has seven members.
The District 91 board oversees public education in Forest Park’s K-8 schools. Those seats up for election in 2009 are currently occupied by Joan White, Mary Win Connor, Mary Turek and Lois Bugajsky. Turek and White each won two-year seats in 2007. Connor was appointed to fill the remainder of a term vacated in February 2007 by Charles Marinier, who resigned.
District 209 board members are responsible for overseeing the Proviso Township high schools, which includes campuses in Forest Park, Hillside and Maywood. President Emanuel “Chris” Welch and Vice President Dan Adams are both up for re-election after having served four-year terms. Board Secretary Reatha “Sue” Henry’s four-year term is also set to expire. Board member Brian Cross was appointed in July 2007 to fill the remainder of former board member Charles Flowers’ term. Flowers was forced to resign the seat after winning the Suburban Cook County Regional Superintendent’s position.
Prospective candidates in either race may submit nominating petitions to their respective districts by 8 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 20. The deadline for doing so is Jan. 26. Elections will be held April 7.
Race for charity returns
Several hundred runners are expected to test their mettle Sunday, Nov. 2 during an annual road race held to benefit an educational charity. The Golden Apple 5K begins at 9 a.m. at the corner of Madison and Marengo and leads participants through several residential neighborhoods in Forest Park.
The course follows Marengo to Jackson, then Circle to Fillmore and onto Ferdinand. Runners will use Harrison to turn themselves south along Beloit before taking Fillmore back to Circle and onto the finish line on Madison.
Proceeds from the event will be used by the Golden Apple Foundation to continue programs that prepare teachers for high school classrooms, and other professional development. This year’s race will be the 12th annual.
