Unit 5 Seeking Candidates to Fill Board Vacancy

NORMAL, IL ... July 19, 2018 … Unit 5 is seeking candidates for Board of Education appointment to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Joe Cleary. The selected individual will serve as a Board of Education member until the next regular Board election in April 2019.

A Board member must be, on the date of appointment, a United States citizen, at least 18 years of age, a resident of Illinois and the District for at least 1 year immediately preceding the election, and a registered voter. Reasons making an individual ineligible for Board membership include holding an incompatible public office and certain types of State or federal employment, and having a prohibited interest in any contract with the District.  A child sex offender, as defined in state law, is ineligible for Board membership. Membership on the Board is restricted to a maximum of 3 members from any congressional township. Due to the residency of the current Board members, candidates living in congressional township 23n 2E are not eligible to apply.

Mr. Cleary’s resignation is effective July 18. He is relocating to California for new employment. The Board has 45 days to appoint his replacement.

“In service to the students, teachers, staff, and community fulfilling our mission to educate each student to achieve personal excellence, has been my true honor.  In addition, I greatly appreciate the dedication and professionalism demonstrated by my fellow board members and our district's administrators in building a district of destination, supported by a strong foundation of excellence,” he stated. “ This experience has left a lasting positive impact on me and my hope is that I have done the same for the distinct.”

The Board’s policies regarding Board service, elections, and filling vacancies are available on the District’s website, www.unit5.org.  

Individuals who meet the aforementioned requirements may complete the application available at the Unit Office and at www.unit5.org and submit it to Kim Stewart at the Unit 5 District Office, 1809 W. Hovey Ave., Normal, IL 61761. Individuals may also email applications to stewartk@unit5.org. Materials must be received no later than 3 p.m., Friday July 27.  

Final candidates will be screened by the Board of Education prior to selection of a replacement. Official appointment of the new Board member is expected to occur by the end of August.