Oct. 02--A veteran Prospect Heights School District 23 school board member who opposed the new teachers contract has resigned. The announcement came only days after the end of the recent strike that canceled classes for seven days last month.
Longtime school board member Judith Zimmerman, whose tenure on the board has lasted14 years, sent a resignation letter to her fellow board members Wednesday, after casting the sole "no" vote to the district's new teachers contract Tuesday night.
In a letter dated Sept. 30, Zimmerman wrote: "My decision has nothing to do with being in the minority on the contract vote. I have been in the minority many times in the past on several issues, including student fees and the previous contract. It never bothered me or made me feel that my service wasn't appreciated. The board speaks with one voice after a vote is taken. That's the way it should be.
"However, over the last few weeks, I realized that I'm tired of the business of education. I want to be able to express my views without them reflecting back on the school board. I want to be a private citizen again. The time has come to move on and work to implement change in other ways.
"Given the level of interest in the work of the school board in recent weeks, it also seemed like a good time to resign," Zimmerman added. "I considered this my last term on the school board anyway. The board should have plenty of candidates to choose from to replace me. Certainly serving out the remainder of my term gives someone an opportunity to understand the issues before the next election cycle."
Zimmerman was unavailable for comment Friday.
But school board member Mari-Lynn Peters described Zimmerman's resignation as "a tremendous loss."
Peters said Zimmerman was a strong advocate for the local taxpayers, in particular, the northwest suburban community's senior citizens.
"Her touch to everything made everything better," Peters said. "These are some huge, huge shoes to fill."
Peters said officials have not yet received any applications from prospective board members interested in the open position, but she hopes that some strong candidates will surface before the Oct. 28 deadline.
"We hope to get some good resumes," Peters said. "Anyone who steps up to the plate should know that the position at times involves a large commitment."
kcullotta@tribpub.com
