10 Vie For Open Lyons Township High Board Seat

LA GRANGE, IL – Ten residents are applying for the vacant seat on the Lyons Township High School board.

Earlier this month, board President Dawn Aubert abruptly resigned, saying she was moving out of state.

The applicants come from throughout the district – two each from Western Springs, Burr Ridge and Brookfield and one each from La Grange, Willow Springs, Hodgkins and Indian Park.

Five of the six current board members are from La Grange or La Grange Park. Aubert was from La Grange Park. Only member Kari Dillon, an Indian Park resident, lives outside the two towns.

Among the applicants' occupations are lawyer, teacher, financial adviser and government administrator.

After member Julie Swinehart resigned last June, 15 residents applied for the vacant seat. Elvia Nava was picked.

The board plans to meet behind closed doors Wednesday to discuss the applicants; more sessions are likely. The board indicates that it has chosen to hold closed meetings to interview finalists, which is allowed under the state's open meetings law.

Patch obtained the candidates' applications through a public records request. (Western Springs resident Tim King applied, but later withdrew.) The media outlet has posted the documents online.

Here is a list of the applicants:

Lynn Bush
Town: Western Springs
Occupation: Former school principal, former assistant superintendent, retired professor

Dominitrice "Dee" McCalley Gonzalez
Town: Brookfield
Occupation: Director and CEO, Paralegal and Administration Services

Megan McNamee Grad
Town: Burr Ridge
Occupation: Financial services executive

David Herndon
Town: La Grange
Occupation: Vice president, senior compliance officer

Shawn Kennedy
Town: Indian Head Park
Occupation: Financial adviser

Elias Lopez
Town: Hodgkins
Occupation: Director, Hodgkins Park District

Steven Marquardt
Town: Western Springs
Occupation: Retired

Avigail Schlosser
Town: Burr Ridge
Occupation: Chief financial officer

Ashley Stead
Town: Brookfield
Occupation: Labor and employment attorney

Paula Struwing
Town: Willow Springs
Occupation: High school teacher