Board of Education Member Will Not Run Again

Board of Education member Richard Laine announced at Monday's meeting that he will not run for re-election. His seat is one of three on the Board of Education that is open this year; Sandra Karriem and Andrea Wren-Hardin are the other members up for re-election. Both Karriem and Wren-Hardin previously told Patch that they would seek re-election.

In announcing that he would not run again, Laine encouraged members of the public to consider running — the deadline for doing so is Tuesday, March 8 — noting that serving on the Board of Education "is not easy, but it's an important lesson, an education, to serve the community."

One member of the public who has stepped forward is James Lo Stuto, president of the Tuscan School PTA. Lo Stuto, 53, is the father of four children in the school district and recently retired from a career of working in retail at Macy's. Lo Stuto filed to run for Board of Education; it is his first bid for public office.

Meanwhilde, Laine credited his fellow board members, the administration, and the teachers of the district for progress that the district had made in recent years. He cited the hiring of superintendent Brian Osborne, the crafting of the strategic plan which has guided the budget and agendas, the institution of full-day kindergarten, and the hiring of new principals. 

Laine further noted that, though the district and teacher union have not yet settled a contract, the tenor of the discussion has remained "respectful." Laine further noted that he hoped to see the contract settled before his term ends in April.