Beloit board clerk Juan Romero resigns; board sets special-appointment timeline

Juan Romero, the Beloit School District Board clerk, told the School District of Beloit Board of Education on Sept. 3 that he is resigning effective Sept. 5, 2025, and delivered a detailed farewell that criticized internal board dynamics while citing family health as his reason for stepping down.

Romero spoke during the meeting’s board-clerk address and said, "Tonight marks my final meeting as more as a member of this board. And as of September 5, I will leave the seat behind with peace in my heart and fire in my voice." He told the board he was leaving to care for parents facing unforeseen health issues: "I'm leaving because it's still my time to take care of the ones who gave me everything." Romero also criticized what he called performative uses of language around inclusion and said board meetings had at times been used for "grandstanding monologues" rather than decisionmaking.

The board president said she had "received and accepted" Romero's resignation and presented a timeline, drawn from board policy, to fill the vacancy. Under that schedule, the vacancy posting would close Sept. 25, applications would be shared with the board Sept. 26, interviews would take place at a special meeting on Sept. 30, and a selected member could be sworn in and seated Oct. 7. Board policy 133 and staff at the meeting were cited as requiring the vacancy be filled within 60 days; the superintendent noted the timeline is tentative and subject to change if the board directs a different schedule.

Board members praised Romero's service during public remarks. Dr. Garrison, the district superintendent, said Romero's questions during his tenure were appropriate and thanked him for his service. Board member Brian Nichols called Romero a friend and said the community would miss him.

Before Romero’s remarks, the board unanimously approved the meeting agenda on a motion by Brian Nichols, seconded by Joanne Ruh. Later in the meeting, the board voted unanimously to convene in closed session under Wisconsin Statute 19.85(1)(b) to consider personnel concerns and consult with legal counsel; the motion to enter closed session was made by Brian Nichols and seconded by Juan Romero. Roll-call votes recorded Joanne Ruh, Brian Nichols, Juan Romero, Tom Hankins and Tia Johnson as voting "aye." The board president announced the board may reconvene in public later to take action if necessary on items discussed in closed session.

The board discussed the length of the appointment that will fill Romero’s seat: because the vacancy occurs after the spring election, the appointment will run until the next spring election in April, and any appointee who wishes to remain on the board would need to file to run in that election. The superintendent and board president repeatedly described the posted timeline as tentative and subject to change only by board direction.

Key dates and procedural notes discussed at the meeting: the vacancy posting (if posted Sept. 5) would close Sept. 25; applications shared with the board Sept. 26; special meeting for interviews Sept. 30; selected member sworn Oct. 7. The officials noted policy 133, rule 1, item 9 governs the length of appointments and that the vacancy must be filled within 60 days. The board did not take a separate formal vote to adopt the proposed schedule.

The meeting closed with the board preparing to go into the announced closed session on the personnel matter. The board president said, "The board of education may reconvene to public session in order to take any action if necessary on items discussed in closed session."