Downers Grove Grade School District 58 welcomed four new Board of Education members during a special reorganization meeting Monday, May 1 at the Longfellow Center.
Last month, voters elected Greg Harris, Darren Hughes, Jill Samonte and Beth Taylor to serve four-year terms. Each new member took the oath of office and joined John Miller, Doug Purcell and Elizabeth Sigale on the Board.
“Congratulations to our newest Board members, and thank you for your commitment and willingness to serve District 58,” said Superintendent Dr. Kari Cremascoli.
Each new Board member holds a vested interest in District 58 and Downers Grove. Taylor is a retired educator who taught in District 58 for 20 years and sent her children through the District’s schools. Harris, Hughes and Samonte are each current District 58 parents and active community members. Harris also serves as an administrator and former teacher in a different school district.
The Board elected Doug Purcell to serve as president and Elizabeth Sigale as vice president. The Board also appointed members to serve on the following committees:
- Legislative: Beth Taylor (chair), Jill Samonte
- Policy: Greg Harris (chair), Elizabeth Sigale
- Financial Advisory: John Miller (chair), Darren Hughes
- Meet & Confer Strategic Plan: Elizabeth Sigale (co-chair), Jill Samonte (co-chair)
- Education Foundation: Beth Taylor
- ED-RED: Jill Samonte
- IASB: Beth Taylor
- LEND: Beth Taylor
- SASED: Doug Purcell
- SASED Alternative Representative: Beth Taylor
- Insurance Committee Liaison: Greg Harris
During the regular April Board of Education meeting, the Board held a recognition ceremony to honor and thank retiring Board members John Cooper, Roberta Diehl, Chris Heppner and Sallie Lupescu. The four served a combined 24 years on the District 58 School Board.