Seven challengers have officially filed for their place on the ballot in the District 91 Board of Education race for three open seats in the upcoming April election. This is the first time in recent memory that the school board race has been contested. Candidates’ final petitions were due Dec. 17.
Incumbent Shannon Wood, who works at the village and Park District of Forest Park, is seeking re-election; Greg Mitchell, who serves as vice president of the program management office at a financial services firm and was appointed to the board in September, is also seeking election.
Challengers Steven Rummel, a data scientist; John W. Lyons III, president of a high precision manufacturing firm; Daniel Gasse, co-founder of the Gasse School of Music, 7641 Polk St.; Monique Cotton, a benefits specialist; and Katherine June Valleau, a former Greek mythology teacher at D91 and the co-owner of Exit Strategy Brewing Co., 7700 Madison St., are also running for a seat on the board. Gasse and Cotton Yancy have said they’re supporting one another through the campaign.
Nona Tepper
