LTHS Board Chooses Closed Interviews For Vacancies

LA GRANGE, IL – The Lyons Township High School board plans to continue its tradition of holding interviews to fill board vacancies behind closed doors.

Under state law, the board can choose to keep out the public. Virtually all Illinois boards do.

In other states, that's not the case. Laws mandate public interviews in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and California. New Jersey's school board association indicates on its website that interviews are typically in the open.

On Tuesday, Lyons Township's board president, Dawn Aubert, abruptly resigned, saying she was moving out of state later this year. Taking her place as president was Jill Grech, the vice president.

The deadline to apply for Aubert's board position is April 19. Interviews are expected to be held after that.

Patch emailed Grech about whether the interviews would be open to the public.

She indicated they wouldn't.

"(I)t is anticipated and provided by the law that board vacancy interviews are conducted in closed session," Grech said in an email.

The board's policy states that the board may invite prospective candidates for personal interviews to be conducted during "duly scheduled closed meetings."

This is language recommended by the Illinois Association of School Boards. School districts in Elmhurst and Hinsdale use identical wording.

No state law mandates such a policy.

In its email to Grech, Patch asked why board applicants are not required to undergo interviews when candidates in elections typically take part in public functions, including forums.

She acknowledged those activities by candidates, but said such things are "separate from Board action and a personal choice made by the individual candidates."