The West Aurora School District board has identified a recommended candidate to fill the board seat recently vacated by Thomas St. Jules, West Aurora Director of Community Affairs Anna Gonzales said in a district statement.
St. Jules stepped down from the West Aurora school board in March after being appointed as an associate judge in the 16th Judicial Circuit Court in St. Charles.
St. Jules was midway through his second four-year term on the school board. He was originally elected to the board in 2019.
The individual to fill the vacancy will be named and considered for approval during the board’s regular meeting at 6 p.m. Monday at the District 129 Administration Center, 1877 W. Downer Place in Aurora, Gonzales said.
“The board launched a thorough process to identify a community member to serve the remainder of the unexpired term, ending in May 2027,” Gonzales said.
District residents were invited to submit letters of interest, she said.
“The district received a high number of applications, reflecting strong community interest and a well-qualified group of candidates. As part of the process, each applicant was asked to complete a questionnaire outlining their interest in serving, relevant experience and ability to fulfill the responsibilities of board service,” Gonzales said.
The process helped the board narrow the list of candidates, she said.
“Responses to the questionnaire helped the board refine the applicant pool and identify five individuals to advance to the interview stage. At that point, board members evaluated each candidate based on their personal strengths, leadership qualities, preparedness and ability to contribute to effective collaboration and thoughtful decision-making,” Gonzales said.
One individual emerged as the board’s recommended candidate and will be formally presented for a vote on Monday, she said.
Also at Monday’s meeting, the three candidates who won four-year seats on the board in the April 1 election – incumbents Richard Kerns II and Julie Stone and challenger Erika Garcia – will be sworn in.
Linda Girardi is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
