Bill Merchantz, president of the Community Consolidated Elementary District 181 Board, resigned last week.
He submitted a resignation letter Feb. 11 to Margie Kleber, board secretary. It contained a single line.
“I submit my resignation from the D181 Board effective Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2020,” he wrote.
When asked via email about his decision to resign, Merchantz told The Hinsdalean he had no comment.
Five days before he resigned, Merchantz spoke at the District 181 Finance Committee meeting, expressing his concerns about the fiscal year 2019 budget surplus.
“How much levy is enough? How much surplus is enough? We haven’t asked the administration to answer these questions,” he said. “I would like us to ask now before it’s too late.”
He also questioned the urgency to vote this month on the amount of a proposed property tax abatement, saying he understood the board had until March to do so and he had to miss the Feb. 10 board meeting due to work.
At that Feb. 10 meeting, the board voted 6-0 to abate $605,000 in property taxes. The next morning, Merchantz, who had served on the board since September 2018, resigned.
The district announced his resignation in a Feb. 14 press release.
“As volunteers, board members dedicate numerous hours to the district away from their families and work,” the release states. “The District 181 school community sincerely thanks Merchantz for his many years of service and dedication.”
The district is now seeking a new board member to fill the vacancy.
Applications from district residents to fill the open board seat will be accepted through Friday, March 6. Interviews will be held the week of March 9, with a vote on the final candidate scheduled for the Monday, March 16, board meeting.
Applications can be found on the district website at http://www.d181.org/board-of-education/elections. Paper copies can be picked up at the district office at 115 W. 55th St. in Clarendon Hills.
Board members are expected to attend regularly scheduled board meetings and special meetings, serve as a liaison to the community and representative at community events, and participate in committee duties.
Applications must be returned in person to the district office, emailed to [email protected] or faxed to (630) 887-1079 by 4 p.m. March 6.
