New District 158 Board tabs Bittman as leader

HUNTLEY — Newly elected Huntley District 158 Board of Education member Andrew Bittman was chosen by fellow board members as the next board president at a special reorganization meeting May 2.

Bittman, along with other April 4 election winners Gina Galligar, Laura Murray, Michael Thompson recited the oaths-of-office given by former Board President Tony Quagliano.

Bittman was elected over Quagliano by a 4-3 vote. Casting votes for Bittman were members Murray, Galligar, Thompson and Bittman. Quagliano’s school board presidency bid was supported by members Sean Cratty, Paul Troy and Quagliano.

A meeting roomful of family, friends and supporters were on hand Tuesday as the District 158 School Board conducted a special reorganization meeting, following the canvas of consolidated election results by Kane and McHenry County Clerks April 25.

“I’m surprised and humbled to see so many people come out on a Tuesday night,” Bittman said. “I do feel we are ready (to govern).”

“I am willing to stay on as president for eight months if there is a need of a transition,” Quagliano said. No action was taken on that suggestion.

For other board of education offices, Murray was elected as vice president, with four votes while Quagliano received two and Troy one. Galligar won the secretary’s role by a 4-3 vote over Troy. There was discussion over the new board members’ committee assignments and committee set-up. One new committee was created while another two were combined (legislation and policy) to one.

Galligar suggested a new committee be formed for Special Education, which was part of the Curriculum Committee in the past.

“That has been talked about in the community that we need to put a focus on special education to promote what is good and working and to highlight it, also, there is a new Director of Special Services coming in July.”

The Special Education Committee will be chaired by Galligar with Murray and Cratty as members.

One other discussion matter was the Finance Committee. Bittman said he is interested in the role as chairman because the administration presented only one budget option so far, and that is to raise taxes.

Quagliano mentioned he has the experience for the complicated school finance procedures.

“The role of the finance committee chairman is to know all aspects of a district budget, about how revenues interact while having one of the lowest costs per pupil in the State of Illinois,” Quagliano said. “I have the knowledge what is involved in all of this.”

Bittman said he respects Quagliano’s experience in the finance area, but “school districts can raise revenue by 5 percent with a 4-3 vote, which you can’t do in corporations.”

In other reorganization matters, District 158 Board Members voted that school board meetings will continue to be at 6 p.m. the third Thursdays of each month at District 158’s administrative building, 650 Dr. John Burkey Drive in Algonquin. Committee of the whole meetings will be the first Thursday.