Jekot Resigns, D63 Seeks New School Board Member

John Jekot, a 14-year member of the East Maine School District 63 board, is moving on. He won the April 9 election for village of Niles trustee, and was sworn in to the village's board last week.

The Illinois Attorney General's office does not permit an individual to serve on a school board and a village board at the same time, he said.

As his seat becomes vacant, the district is accepting applications from individuals interested in the position, and will appoint a board member at its June 3 special meeting. That person will serve until the April 2015 election.

While Jekot said he's pleased he won election to the village board, he acknowledged it's not easy leaving a school district where he has served nearly a decade and a half.

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"It's bittersweet," he said. "I'm happy I won this election, but unfortunately I can't serve out my (District 63) term." 

He said he's confident District 63, which has schools in Niles, Park Ridge, Des Plaines, Morton Grove and Glenview, is in good hands.

"District 63 is in fantastic shape--the staff, financially, the teachers--it's a quality district," he said. 

"I'm not leaving a sinking ship. They've got good people on board now."

Who can apply for D63 board member seat

District 63 released information about the qualifications needed to apply for the board seat. Applicants must be:

A United States citizen at least 18 years of age, a resident of Illinois and the District for at least one year, a registered voter, be neither a school trustee nor a school treasurer, and not be a child sex offender as defined in State law. A School Board member must also file an economic interest statement as required by the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act.

Some persons may be ineligible for School Board membership by reason of other public offices held or certain types of State or Federal employment.

Applicants should also be familiar with the duties of a school board member, including fiduciary responsibilities and conflicts of interest. Information on the board's policies is available at www.emsd63.org.

Board members do not receive financial compensation. To apply, obtain an application at the Dr. Donald C. Stetina Educational Service Center, 10150 Dee Road, Des Plaines, Illinois, 60016 and return it by Wednesday, May 29, 2013 before 4:00 p.m. to Deborah Piazza, Board Secretary.