2015 PERSON OF THE YEAR: MELODY SEATON

REV MELODY SEATON

SAUK VILLAGE |  Going through candidates for Person of the year 2015, one person rose head and shoulders above the rest.  When she came to the Village in 2014, she didn't just come quietly, she came with a fierce desire and a lot of spirit, some even say the Holy Spirit, to make Sauk Village just a little bit better. 

The Reverend Melody Seaton of Grace United Church of Christ not only is carrying on the 50 plus year tradition of the shuttered church, but began new traditions which the community as a whole can be proud of.  Seaton was runner up last year for Person of the Year, but this year she was a clear standout!

Seaton's outstanding contributions to Sauk Village include the Share the Warmth campaign of providing over 300 brand new coats, mittens and hats to Sauk Village school children over the last two years, Jammin for Jesus Community Fest and taking the leadership role of holding a Community Prayer Meeting right outside her Church welcoming everyone!  Additionally, she has taken her message to every corner of the Community, literally, by holding prayer on the streets of Sauk Village.

Now I'm not saying that other churches and organizations do not make great contributions, as we see

SEATON'S COMMUNIT PRAYER MEETING

Emmanuel Christian Reform church, who celebrated their 40th year in their church this year with feeding families with their ongoing food pantry.  Other churches should be glad to partner with the successes of Grace United Church of Christ and Melody Seaton!  Seaton's outreach from her church community has truly been a great thing for Sauk Village and she has been an outstanding pastor to her church and to the community.

If you've never heard Seaton sing the National Anthem, as she did for Veterans Day in 2014, you truly missed out!  I hope she plans to stay greatly involved in making Sauk Village just a bit better in 2016 and beyond.

Congratulations Reverend Melody Seaton, you are truly deserving of such an honor!

Former Honorees
SAUK VILLAGE PERSONS OF THE YEAR
2014:  Dr. Donna Leak
2013:  Derrick Burgess
2012:  Al Stoffregen
2011:  Robert Chavez

KNOW YOUR CANDIDATES- Meet Sharon Archie-Davenport

(This is the third in a series of profiles for candidates for School District 168.  All candidates were asked to submit their own profile and a photo.  Some did, some did not.  We will provide you a look at each candidate during this week.)

SHARON ARCHIE-DAVENPORT

Candidate for:  4 Year Board Member


EDITOR'S NOTE:
Sharon Archie-Davenport has been an active member of the community previously having been elected to School District 168 School Board in 2011 where she served as Board Secretary and following the 2013 election and reorganization of the Board, Archie-Davenport was elected President.

THE FOLLOWING IS THE CANDIDATE'S PROFILE. (Note:  This information was provided by the candidate.  We do not endorse or necessarily agree with the views of the candidate which are their own):

Sharon Archie-Davenport was named President of the Community Consolidated School District 168 in May 2013.  Previously, Mrs. Davenport served as District 168 School Board Secretary from 2011-2013.

She is an Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) Master Board Member. She has received several awards and certificates of appreciation, member on the 2014 Illinois Joint Annual Conference Proposal Review Committee, and serves on the IASB Governing and Executive Board as Director At Large for the South Cook County Region and she is a former member of School District 168 Parent Advisory Committee. School District 168 received its first ever State of Illinois Good Governance Recognition Award during her tenure as President.

Sharon also serves on several civic and charitable committees including: SV Trustee Derrick Burgess Intergovernmental Committee and Trustee Lynda Washington Citizens for Informative Dialogue. She is a former Chair of CEDA Head-Start Parent Committee at the Yates location.

Sharon has led major efforts resulting in increased student achievement and significant improvements in teaching, learning, staff professional development, and school status. Her central work focused on equity and rigor by establishing Data Coordinators to help assess students and curriculum delivery, increase students test scores by implementing Stride Academy, a reformed school dress code to place more emphasis on education and connecting with local, state, and federal officials to bring additional computers and laptops into the school district.

She has worked to upgrade the sound system to increase participation in performing arts, supported growth of school choirs, safe access to amenities and standard procedures for special need students, new uniforms for sports teams, replaced single district nurse with a nurse at each school, and installing the Raptor security system helping to provide every student, staff, and stakeholder safety when attending school or activities.

Sharon was instrumental in the transition to newly appointed Superintendent Dr. Donna S. Leak with former Superintendent Al Travaglini; as they, administration, and staff shared their experiences on sensitive topics relevant to the school and community, while keeping in mind their representation of Every Child, Every Day.

Sharon is looking forward to being re-elected to continue working with the Board, Superintendent, Local and State Officials to move the District forward in a well-rounded academic, social, and healthy future.  She supports education being driven using technology and state common core standards, enhancing performing arts and sports divisions, work hard to ensure students are getting a foundational educational experience that will increase test scores, healthy but edible food choices, the health safety of our buildings and providing the necessary tools needed by students and staff to promote all around success for all, while remaining financially sound. 

Sharon has been actively involved in the community since her family's arrival more than ten years ago. Sharon, a licensed minister and caterer regularly connecting with various community, state organizations and leaders to support growth and expansion for District 168 and Sauk Village. Sharon and Law Davenport have three children, one at each school Lawton, Laela, and Logan.

Murders Top Headlines of 2014 - Top 10 Stories

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  As 2014 comes to a close in the next few hours, I wanted to reflect on the top 10 stories that made the news.  Sauk Village's murders definitely took the top spot in the news as the number of murders has increased!  Many good people, long-time residents and friends were lost along the way.


#10:  FEBRUARY 19, 2014:

FORWARD MOTIONS NOW WILL INCLUDE LAYOFFS- 23 Year Veteran & Deputy Fire Chief Axed

 

 

Lisa Gibbons

 

SAUK VILLAGE|  A 23 year veteran employee of the Sauk Village Police Department and the Deputy Fire Chief were axed by the Hanks Administration today.

Police Chief Timothy Holevis was summoned to the office of Mayor David Hanks early Wednesday morning who apparently gave the order to place Lisa Gibbons on layoff status.  It was also learned today that another head would roll.  Deputy Fire Chief Rich Atwood, a longtime veteran fire fighter was also placed on “layoff” status today.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE....

 

 

 

 

#9 MARCH 23, 2014:

TRAVELGATE: ATTORNEY GENERAL DEMANDS VILLAGE CLERK RELEASE ALL RECORDS

 

VILLAGE CLERK DEBBIE WILLIAMS

SAUK VILLAGE | After a 7 month battle with the Village and their attorneys, the Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office has finally determined that the Village  possessed records responsive to our Freedom of Information Act request from July, 2013 and has violated the Freedom of Information Act.  “The vindication by the Illinois Attorney General shows that this Village Clerk and this Mayor have been anything but open, honest, transparent or accountable to the people” Joseph Wiszowaty states. 

 

 

 

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE....

 

 

#8 APRIL 29, 2014:

4 TO 3 VOTE HIRES CONTROVERSIAL SUPERINTENDENT

 

Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak
Sauk Village's new Superintendent of Schools

SAUK VILLAGE |  School District 168 School Board approved hiring the controversial candidate for Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak to replace retiring Superintendent Al Travaglini.  Travaglini took over as Superintendent in 2011.

The vote to hire Leak was 4 to 3 voting yes were Mary Howard sister to Sauk Village Mayor David Hanks, Aisa El-Amin, Deloris Green and Jimo Kasali and voting no were School Board President Sharon Davenport, Tammy Jones and Melvin Stevenson.

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...

 

#7 JULY 23, 2014:

WATERGATE SCANDAL GROWS, WATER FUNDS TAKEN, COMMISSIONER REMOVED AND RESIDENTS WONDER

LtoR Housing Commissioners Heidi Parker, Gary Holcomb

and Sharon Nowak

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Controversy has fallen on the Sauk Village Housing Commission and calls for investigations have quietly begun.  The new scandal involves the Village's water fund which has been under intense public scrutiny given the Village's past practice of balancing the budget with water funds.  Residents were paying $3.50 per 1000 gallons of water are now paying $7.50 per 1000 gallons and bills have skyrocketed.

 

 

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE...

 

 

 

#6 SEPTEMBER 23, 2014:

SAILSBERY SWORN-IN AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE

by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE |  Rebecca Sailsbery was sworn-in as Deputy Chief of Police once again last week privately and formally Tuesday night during the Village Board of Trustees meeting.  Sailsbery previously had served as Deputy Chief of Police from 2007 to 2010 and Interim Chief of Police from October 2010 to December, 2010.

Sailsbery has been serving as the Department’s Administrative Sergeant since 2010 through the tumultuous times of former Chief Frank Martin, who had the shortest tenure in Sauk Village history.  Also, during the 18 months of Tim Holevis as “acting” Chief of Police, the temporary Chief of Police Robert Fox from November, 2011 to November 1, 2012....

 

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING... 

 

 

#5 OCTOBER 12, 2014:

Beware of Politicians Bearing Gifts at Election Time...

especially $4.8 million

 

SAUK VILLAGE | Governor Pat Quinn came to Sauk Village at election time to announce a $4.8 million grant as part of his multi-billion dollar clean water initiative Saturday afternoon.  Quinn is in for the race of his political life this November and every vote counts which is why some question the timing of this announcement!  Gubernatorial candidate Bruce Rauner, who just picked up the endorsement of the Chicago Tribune and Crains Chicago Business, has been doing well in polling.  Polls show Rauner with a slight advantage while other show a dead heat. 

 

#4 SEPTEMBER 8, 2014: 

ILLINOIS ATTORNEY GENERAL RULES SAUK VILLAGE VIOLATED FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

DEBBIE WILLIAMS

VILLAGE CLERK DEBBIE WILLIAMS MUST DISCLOSE DETAILS ON TRAVELGATE

SAUK VILLAGE| The Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s office issued a rare 10 page binding opinion against the Village of Sauk Village concerning a request for information about Village Clerk Debbie Williams’, her daughter Village Trustee Rosie Williams and a Village vendor Patricia Couch’s trip to Washington D.C. in July, 2013 to attend the Building One America conference.  Madigan’s office declared in their opinion that the Village had “violated the (Freedom of Information) Act” by not providing full and complete disclosure about the trip, which they determined was subject to public disclosure.

 

***CLICK HERE*** TO VIEW THE 10 PAGE I.A.G. OPINION

 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON THIS STORY....

 

#3 SEPTEMBER 14, 2014:

Youth Gunned Down in Sauk Village

Duane McCray- Courtesy of
Facebook

by Joseph Wiszowaty

SAUK VILLAGE | Another young man was killed Saturday on the streets of Sauk Village, the third since June of this year. 

 

Duane McCray, 20, was shot in the 21700 block of Peterson Avenue in Sauk Village, according to the Cook County medical examiner’s office. He was pronounced dead at the scene at 11:40 p.m., the medical examiner’s office said.  McCray attended Sauk Village schools and Bloom Trail High School.

 

 

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#2 JUNE 7, 2014:

MAN DEAD, WOMAN STABLE FOLLOWING SHOOTING

John McIntyre

Contributions by: Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE | A man was pronounced dead and a woman was in stable condition Saturday following shootings in Sauk Village, police there said.

At 12:05 a.m., Sauk Village police responded to a call of a woman in the 2100 block of 217th Street with a gunshot wound. When officers arrived, they found a 19-year-old woman with a gunshot wound to the face and a 25-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the head.

 

 

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING...

 

#1 STORY OF 2014...  AUGUST 19, 2014:

2 CHARGED WITH FIRST-DEGREE MURDER OF NATE BURNS

Nate Burns killed August 14th

MARKHAM | On August 14, 2014 at approximately 1:45pm, the Sauk Village Police 911 Center received a report of several people shot, in the 1700 Block of Sauk Trail Rd., Sauk Village, Illinois.  Upon arrival, officers learned 4 people had been wounded by gunfire.  All the victims were transported to area hospitals for treatment.  One male victim, Nathaniel Burns, 16, of Sauk Village later died from his injuries. 

During the course of the investigation, Detectives learned the identity of three suspects.  Two suspects have been apprehended and were both charged late Monday night by the Cook County State's Attorney's Office.  Charged with First Degree Murder are Lamika Overall, 19, of Steger and Shaquille Wilson, 20 of Sauk Village.

 

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE READING...

PERSON OF THE YEAR - 2014: Dr. Donna Leak

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Congratulations Dr. Donna Leak!  Leak is the Sauk Villager’s Person of the Year-2014!  Leak is Sauk Village School District 168’s first African American woman to serve as Superintendent of School.  Leak’s appointment as Superintendent was approved by a 4 to 3 vote but has quickly earned the respect of the School Board members and the community.

Leak and her staff have been reaching out to the community in some of the most successful attempts I’d ever seen!  The Back to School Bash was an absolute success!  The event didn’t cost taxpayers a penny!  Donations were solicited from Walmart, Target and Sauk Village’s own Fairway!  Leak brought together staff and school board members and had over 600 people attend, a number which far surpassed their expectation.  We look forward to a repeat success in 2015.

Leak also has put together Community Relations Advisory Councils including Parents, Teachers, Local Educators and Community members, residents and stakeholders within the District in a move to gather greater input from all segments of the community.  Leak also instituted a monthly Parents Coffee with the Superintendent.

Leak will face many challenges in the coming years by improving the School Districts abysmal standings.  “We need to improve our schools so that we can encourage young families to move to Sauk Village and become homeowners” Kelvin Jones, a candidate for Village Trustee said.  “Schools are an important part of what homebuyers look for when deciding where to move” Jones said recently.

Leak has been involved within the community attending Town Hall meetings and community events and has truly hit the ground running!  Hats off to Dr. Donna Leak, keep up the good work and we look for some exceptional improvements to District 168 and a new brand of leadership.

This was a very tough decision this year as others were considered for this distinction including Bill Hall who has worked tirelessly on putting together the Shine On Sauk Village Gospel festival for many years.  Trustee Derrick Burgess, even though he was 2013’s Person of the Year, he has continued to serve as an advocate for the Residents of Sauk Village.  Nannette Wargo for her many contributions to continue the Village’s Community Garden.  Reverend Melody Seaton of the new Grace United Church of Christ, which re-opened in Sauk Village after a brief hiatus was another candidate for this year’s honor.  Melody in her first year organized, with members of her Church, a drive to purchase new coats for needy Children in Sauk Village public schools.

Lack of Transparency, Wrong Direction and the Water Highlight Town Hall Meeting

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |   Trustee Derrick Burgess hosted his monthly Town Hall Meeting, this time back at Village Hall Wednesday evening.

Village Clerk Debbie Williams filed an inquiry for a possible Open Meetings Act violation, ironically with the Illinois Attorney General's office who the Village has sued over the Travelgate Binding Opinion they issued in October.  The alleged Open Meetings Act violation was "unfounded" Village Attorney Matt Burns said at a board meeting earlier.

About 35 people, including Superintendent of Schools Dr. Donna Leak, School Board Vice President Tammy Jones, Parent Teacher Organization President Jovante Hasty came back to Village Hall as the Town Hall Meetings moved to Rickover over the summer.  "We wanted to move the venue to afford more residents the opportunity to attend which was successful as we had about 95 at a couple of them there" Burgess said.  "We will probably change up the venue again but hosting them at Village Hall is good too." Burgess said following the meeting.

Longtime resident Judy Cast was critical of the administration for the lack of transparency, but complimented some progress made.  "Under the last administration you wouldn't be sitting in a meeting like this" Cast said.  Cast also wants to know how much the Village has spent in legal fees for the Travelgate scandal.  The Village is suing the Illinois Attorney General over the Binding Opinion issued in October which declared that the Village and Village Clerk must turn over all documentation concerning the trip to Washington DC by the Village Clerk her daughter Trustee Rosie Williams and resident and now former Police Pension Board member Patricia Couch.

Larry Stewart, who was removed as Housing Commissioner earlier this year, blasted the Hanks Administration for the lack of direction and the lack of planning.

Marva Campbell-Pruitt criticized the Hanks Administration for the lack of a solid plan and timeline for the water infrastructure improvements.  "We're paying the additional $2.00 per 1000 gallons of water for the repairs but there is no plan in place to justify it" Campbell-Pruitt said.

Dr. Leak addressed Kelvin Jones' questions concerning school children needing text books.  "We want our children to have the latest information not a static text book.  Old text books from 2007 still have George Bush as President" Leak said.  Leak has been working on a multi-year plan with the School Board and hopes one day soon to bring I-Pads to the students of District 168.  There are about 1700 students in district 168 and the district is flush with cash with about $16 million in the bank and zero debt.

Community Activist Bernice Brewer-Houston said residents are still paying for contaminated well water but residents are paying Lake Michigan water prices.  "The Mayor and Trustees are using this money to balance their budget and not putting the money toward repairs to the water mains that are  constantly breaking" Brewer Houston said following the meeting.

"People are tired of paying $300 water bills for this nasty water.  You can't drink it, you can't cook with it.  You have to spend money to treat it, replace corroded fixtures and even after treating it you turn on the faucet and the water still comes out orange.  They got $4.8 million grant for what the Mayor said will free up the village from paying $260,000 per year, but the resident's get no relief" a longtime resident said.  "I'm just disgusted with our Village leaders" she said.

"Residents only get to speak for 3 minutes during Village meetings.  There are no time limits here, I want to hear the concerns of the residents" Burgess said.

Burgess has hosted Town Hall Meetings for the last 6 months and will be taking the month of December off and resuming them in January after the holidays.

Mayor David Hanks and Village Trustee Lynda Washington sat silent during the meeting.  Williams spoke briefly when challenged by a resident.  "I'm speaking as a resident" Williams said.  Williams was accompanied by her husband, who also sits as a Human Relations Commissioner.  Trustee Rosie Williams is the daughter of Debbie Williams but was not present.

PARDUE REMEMBERS HIS HOMETOWN AND GIVES BACK



Kerry Pardue speaks to students
at his old alma mater Strassburg

By Joseph Wiszoway

SAUK VILLAGE |  Kerry “Doc” Pardue, author of “Poems in the Keys of Life” Reflections of a Combat Medic served from 1968-1969 in the U.S. Army’s 9th Infantry came back to his roots in Sauk Village Thursday morning.  Pardue donated two paintings and copies of his book to District 168. 

 

 

Pardue grew up in what was then a new village delivering the “Sauk Village Review” and shoveling snow to make some extra money.  He graduated 8th grade from Strassburg Junior High School in 1962, as there was no Rickover Jr. High School at the time.  Strassburg was completed in 1959.

Following his military service in Vietnam, Pardue came back to Sauk Village where then Police Chief Marion Young asked Pardue to join the Sauk Village Police Department.  Pardue served on the Police Department from December, 1971 to June, 1972 at that time there were 10 police officers.  Pardue continued on in his career in law enforcement and later went to work at the U.S. Postal Service.

Joining Pardue were former District 168 teacher, Dr. Donald Stevenson who spoke to the children at Strassburg about his students during the day.  Stevenson taught at District 168 from 1958 to 1963.

 

 

Pardue spoke and encouraged the children to continue their educations.  “You need more than just a bachelor’s degree now” he said.  But if higher education isn’t your thing, then Pardue suggested going on to learn a trade or special skill.  “Never stop” Pardue told the students you’re never too old to learn.

Superintend of Schools Dr. Donna Leak was very excited about the donations of Pardue’s artwork on

behalf of the Class of 1962.  “We are very pleased for Mr. Pardue’s donation.  We want every child to reach their maximum potential and the artwork depicts the spirit of soaring high” Leak said.

 

 

Also attending Thursday’s morning’s event were classmates of 1962 Patrick Mullen, son of the late and former Village Trustee Robert Mullen who served on the Village Board from 1962 to 1968.  Retired Sauk Village Police Sergeant Theodore “Ted” Sanders whose father Theodore Sanders served on the Village Board of Trustees from 1960-1962 and also as Superintendent of Schools.  Also from the 1962 class were Charles “Walter” Lynch and current resident Barb Stearns.

Pardue and Leak unveiled the paintings in the old gymnasium of Strassburg Thursday morning after Pardue spoke to a group of students at Rickover Jr. High School earlier.

 

 

A reception was held at Strassburg following the unveiling.  “This was a perfect example of someone giving back to their community and remembering where they came from” Village Trustee Derrick Burgess said following the event.

District 168 certainly had its challenges during those first few years too Stevenson remembered.  Stevenson who began teaching students at Katz Corner School in 1958 was moved to Strassburg Jr. High School in 1959 until 1963 remembers the district was so broke their science room had no Bunsen burners, no beakers virtually nothing.  “We had to make do with what we had available.  The school district was so broke at the time and was growing so fast” Stevenson remembers.  “I remember Superintendent (Theodore Sanders) was using a scrap desk from Katz Corner because the district couldn’t afford to buy a descent desk” Stevenson said.

Pardue remembered that his class buried time capsules back then too behind the first of three trees.  The one furthest west was one from the Class of 1962, the middle tree from the Class of 1963 and the third tree to the east was from 1964.  It’s unlikely the glass time capsules survived and unlikely that the trees will be removed according to Leak.  “We like the trees there, but it’s even more important that we know now there was a special purpose for them” Leak said.  The time capsules were suppose to be opened 10 years later but now 52 year on people just forgot about them.

Hats Off to Dr. Leak and Davenport working together for kids

OPINION EDITORIAL
by Joseph Wiszowaty

Dr. Donna Leak came in as Superintendent of District 168 under a shadow of controversy but it seems that sunlight has been shining down on Sauk Village schools and Leak.

Seeing Board President Sharon Davenport working alongside Leak during the recent Back to School Bash this week spoke volumes!  Davenport was cookin it up at the grill along with a host of volunteers from the school district.  As the lines stretched on and on, they kept cooking!  Leak was engaging parents and children the entire time.  Also good to see other board members Sene Garrett, Tammy Jones and Mary Howard there as well.

Leak has been working hard kicking off the school year along with at least some of her board members.  Noticeably absent from the Back to School event were the two board members who actually voted for Leak, Deloris Green and Jimo Kasali.  In fact, where were you both?  Being a school board or any elected official requires you to participate in the community besides attending board meetings. 

 

Also this week, Dr. Leak honored some old school alumi from the 1960s.  Kerry Pardue came to Sauk Village and spoke at his old Junior High School.  No not Rickover, it wasn’t even there when he graduated 8^th grade in 1962, although he did speak to the kids at Rickover too.  Pardue donated 2 oil paintings on behalf of the class of 1962 from Strassburg Junior High School.

Thus far I’m impressed with the actions of Dr. Donna Leak, honoring our past and working hard toward engaging the children and the parents of the future.  Good job Dr. Leak and to Board President Sharon Davenport who clearly are focused on the children of the district.  Keep up the good work! 

I would be remiss if I didn't mention the hard work and contributions of so many behind the scenes who contributed to the success of the Back to School Bash including Jeremiah Johnson and the host of teachers and volunteers who came out to help.  This was about our School District giving back to the community and it was a great success!  Can't wait to see what they cook up next year!  PS.... the RIBS were awesome!

CONTROVERSIAL VOTE AND A RESIGNATION! THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES...

Aisha El-Amin, Ed.D.
School Board Member D#168

OPINION EDITORIAL
By Joseph Wiszowaty

The phrase “cut and run” sounded good in the political debate of the 2004 re-election of George Bush.  Something that reminded me of the phrase were the events of this last week when Aisha El-Amin resigned her seat on the Board of Education for District 168.

First let me say School District is solvent, no thanks to the efforts of El-Amin, after all they were solvent before she got there.  This was truly attributed to the efforts of Dr. Rudy Williams and continued under Al Travaglini and the board under Arleta Bazile, Suzzanne Arnold and Sharon Davenport.  Balancing the budget, well we’ll see what Leak can do with that!

So how did I draw the comparison of cut and run with El-Amin?  Well consider the fact that El-Amin was a staunch supporter of Dr. Donna Simpson-Leak the incoming Superintendent of Schools and was in fact a “swing” vote in the split 4 to 3 decision.  El-Amin stated she was “enthusiastic to have Leak as head of the school district” according to published reports.  I don’t know Dr. Leak, I look forward to getting to know her better and seeing what she’s got, but the controversy surrounding her previous employer just smells of Henrietta Turner and Robert Fox.

El-Amin allied herself with board members Jimmo Kasali, Mary (Hanks) Howard and Delores Green to vote for Leak’s contract.  Let’s face it folks, anyone who has been to a School Board meeting knows Kasali seems to have been out in right field in the sun all day.  He rambles on and on about whatever his mind seems to want to discuss.  Anyone who would ally themselves with Kasali is worthy of serious examination!  Taxpayers, residents and all should be asking these individuals some serious questions on where their minds are?

El-Amin has been rumored to be moving from Sauk Village for months now according to some close to her, so her resignation came to me as no big surprise. 

What El-Amin has left the taxpayers with is the legacy of a split board of education and a controversial vote for a Superintendent of Schools for the next two years.

Sauk Village is no stranger to controversy!  If people remember, the late former School Board President Patricia Hasse said in November, 1989 that one of the best things she did while she served on the School Board was to hire the disgraced School Superintendent of School Thomas Ryan.  One person voted against him, Marion Rauner!  In the end who was on the right side of history?  In the end, some may soon forget El-Amin making the controversial vote and resigning quickly after, but history will never forget… thanks for the memories!

I called Dr. Leak to welcome her to her new job on what was to be her first day May 27^th… she hadn’t made it in for her first day of work yet.  That was at 2pm! 

SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER RESIGNS

Dr. Aisha El-Amin (left) takes the oath of office
on August 20, 2012.  Former Board President
Suzzanne Arnold administers the oath.

by Joseph Wiszowaty
SAUK VILLAGE |  Dr. Aisha El-Amin resigned her seat on the Board of Education for Community Consolidated District #168 it was learned today. El-Amin was appointed by then Board President Suzanne Arnold on August 20, 2012 to fill a vacancy and ran unopposed for election to the two-year unexpired term which would have expired in April, 2015. 

El-Amin was a swing vote in deciding on incoming Superintendent Dr. Donna Leak’s appointment earlier this month.  The vote was 4 to 3 with El-Amin voting with the majority in favor of Leak’s appointment.

Board President Sharon Davenport said she wished El-Amin well and will likely make an appointment to replace El-Amin at the July School Board meeting.  “I want to thank Dr. El-Amin for her service to the children of our District.  Serving on the School Board requires time and dedication” Davenport said.  The School Board positions are voluntary and are without any pay.  The term of the seat expires in May, 2015 and the individual would either stand for election or leave office following the expiration. 

Anyone wishing to serve may address a letter of interest to Davenport for consideration.

CLICK LINK if you're interested in details on complete details on how to apply for the position:  CLICK HERE