Beloit board clerk Juan Romero resigns; board sets special‑appointment timeline and moves to closed session

Juan Romero, the Beloit School District board clerk and a board member, announced at the Sept. 3 special meeting that he is resigning effective Sept. 5 and delivered a wide‑ranging departure statement that criticized board culture and urged a focus on governance over performative debate.

Romero said he was leaving to care for family members and described his time on the board as both testing and formative. “I will leave the seat behind with peace in my heart and fire in my voice,” he said, adding that the community “deserve[s] the truth, even if it stinks.” He accused some in the district of “gatekeeping, backstabbing, and shaming” under the cover of language about inclusion and urged the board to “stop performing and start governing.”

Board members and district leadership responded with public appreciation. Superintendent Dr. Garrison praised Romero’s engagement and questions, saying Romero consistently raised issues staff needed to answer. “You did speak for the community while you were here,” Dr. Garrison said. Board member Brian Nichols offered personal thanks and well wishes, telling Romero he had “shined” in the community.

The board also addressed the process to fill the upcoming vacancy. The chair presented a timeline based on board policy 1‑33: vacancy posting in September with a potential closing date of Sept. 25, candidate materials shared with the board Sept. 26, interviews at a special meeting on Sept. 30, and a tentative swearing‑in on Oct. 7. The chair noted the timeline is subject to change but that policy requires a vacancy be filled within 60 days. Members clarified that any person appointed under this schedule would serve only until the next spring election and would need to run in April to continue on the board.

A board member reminded staff that to meet the published timeline the vacancy notice would need to be submitted to the local paper the following morning; the chair asked for objections and none were raised.

Later in the meeting the board moved to convene an executive session to discuss personnel concerns and consult with legal counsel under Wisconsin Statutes §19.85(1)(b). The motion, made by Brian Nichols and seconded by Juan Romero, carried on a roll call with Joanne Rue, Brian Nichols, Juan Romero, Tom Hankins and Tia Johnson voting “Aye.” Amy Levy and Megan Miller were recorded as absent earlier in the meeting. The chair said the Board may reconvene to public session if action is required following closed‑session discussion.

The board did not take further public action at the meeting. The timeline and published dates for applications and interviews were presented as tentative and anchored to internal policy guidance; the board indicated it could change those dates if it chooses.