The Forest Park Elementary School District 91 board installed new members Monday night and said good-bye to three women, one who has served the board since 1981.
Mary Turek, Joan White and Lois Bugajsky all declined to run in the April 9 election.
Bugajsky is the longest serving school board member in D91 history, said Supt. Louis Cavallo.
“When he told me how long I was on the board, 32 years, I couldn’t believe it,” Bugajsky told the audience packed with family and her four grandchildren. “It hasn’t felt like that long. It really hasn’t.” Bugajsky said she still has monthly “board books” in her home going back to the beginning of her term during Ronald Reagan’s presidency.
“I may still come visit on Thursday nights if I get lonely,” she joked.
The board unveiled a plaque naming the administration building’s board room after Bugajsky, as well-wishers gave her a standing ovation. Then Cavallo told the group that the district would celebrate with a dinner at Gaetano’s, where the rest of Bugajsky’s family was already waiting.
“This shows this board knows how to keep a secret,” said Vice President-elect Mary Win Connor. In a quick nod to business, Frank Mott was re-elected as president and new members Rafael Rosa, Michael O’Connor and Eric Connor were seated.
Board members told their departing colleagues that their hard work was appreciated and new board members told them they were a “tough act to follow.”
The new board has its first meeting Thursday.
