Downers Grove GSD 58 board member Gregory Harris resigns; board outlines 60-day appointment timeline

The Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board of Education announced on Jan. 27 that board member Gregory Harris submitted his resignation. The board said the vacancy will be filled through a 60-day appointment process; the eventual appointee would serve the remainder of the term but, unless already on the ballot, would not be able to place their name on the upcoming election ballot because of timing.

The board report (presented during the special meeting at O'Neil Middle School) said the district will use a simplified application to fill the seat and encouraged interested candidates'including those already on local ballots'to apply. Board President Hughes said the board expects to nominate a vice president to fill the internal leadership vacancy as soon as the February meeting, if the board is comfortable doing so.

The announcement identified several committee roles Harris held, including policy committee membership, service as the board's health-and-wellness observer, and SASID representation. The board said it would temporarily reassign those duties and asked any board member who can cover committee meetings to step in until the appointment and the regular reorganization in spring. One board member noted Greg Harris had served roughly eight years and praised his service; the board expressed appreciation for his work.

No board action on the vacancy was taken at the Jan. 27 workshop; the board voted later in the meeting to move into closed session under the statute cited on the record (see meeting actions).