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Board debates appointing replacement after resignation; several members favor leaving seat open
Summary
After the immediate resignation of board member Alan Silver, the board discussed three legally available options: call a special election, appoint someone to serve until the next regular election, or leave the vacancy open. Several members said they preferred leaving the seat open and increasing public notice for the May election.
The district clerk informed the board that Alan Silver resigned his Board of Education seat effective immediately. The clerk outlined the board's options under section 5.15 of school law: hold a special election within 90 days, appoint a qualified person by majority vote to serve until the next regular election, or leave the seat vacant until that election.
Board members reflected on past appointment processes and the time required to solicit letters of interest and conduct interviews. One member who had previously been appointed said earlier processes were brief; others cautioned about the optics of soliciting applicants and potentially not appointing anyone. Several members argued that because the unexpired term ends next May, the board should leave the seat vacant and let voters decide, while improving outreach before the election.
No formal appointment motion was adopted; the board noted the matter for future action and discussed how to improve publicity for the upcoming election.
