Sycamore board elects Sarah Bitter president, Victor Harris vice president and administers oaths

At its organizational meeting the Sycamore Community School District Board of Education elected Sarah Bitter as board president for 2025 and Victor Harris as vice president, then administered oaths of office.

The leadership votes took place during the board’s organizational portion of the meeting after nominations from fellow board members. Following the vote, both newly elected officers were sworn in by the board clerk by answering “I do” to the oath required for board members.

Why it matters: Leadership roles shape meeting agendas, liaison assignments and the board’s public face during policy and budget seasons. A president’s priorities can influence how the board sequences reviews and presentations in the coming year.

Nominations and outcome: Board members nominated Victor Harris and Sarah Bitter in an open discussion before the roll-call-style vote. When the board voted, Sarah Bitter was selected president and Victor Harris was selected vice president. The clerk administered the oath required for board officers; both answered “I do.” The transcript does not provide a numerical roll-call tally for the officer votes beyond the board’s verbal confirmation that the motions carried.

President Sarah Bitter’s remarks: After being sworn in, Board President Sarah Bitter addressed the board and community, listing recent district work and priorities. She said the board completed a districtwide curriculum review and “initiated new curricula in language, arts and math,” cited completion of a master facility plan and the high school pool funded in part by a family donation, and described work on a three-year strategic plan and a new district website. “As President, I will strive to be the best facilitator and communicator I can be for my fellow Board members, our district and building administrators, and all of our staff, students, and their families in our communities, business, nonprofit, governmental partners, and our entire Sycamore community,” Bitter said.

Board next steps: Following the oath and remarks, the board moved on to make committee and liaison appointments and to set its regular meeting calendar for the year.

Ending: The board’s newly seated leadership will lead the district through upcoming agenda items including budget work, committee appointments and planning for a financial retreat and academic presentations later in the year.