CHAMPAIGN — Around one year ago, members of the Champaign Unit 4 school board shut down meetings after the group clashed over filling vacant positions.
Now, as the board is confronting another vacancy, the group is working through those lingering tensions. The divisions aren’t fully resolved, but during a meeting Monday night, the members did agree to seek applicants to fill that spot.
“Given the tenor that’s gone on in this board for an amount of time I’m embarrassed about, this is a demonstration to the community that we’re willing to try to work together,” said Vice President Heather Vazquez.
Whoever the group appoints would only serve until the next election, which is on April 1.
Board member Betsy Holder thinks the group should only appoint someone who has been on the board before.
“Realistically, everyone who’s sitting here knows how long it takes to get up to speed — a long time. It seems like it would be asking a lot and kind of a unnecessary exercise,” Holder said.
Others like Vazquez think appointing a seventh member is part of their job, regardless of who applies.
Past board members have said longtime tensions between members of the board hardened and became more public in 2023 after an election and change in leadership. Current board members sometimes say it’s about different approaches to values like trust in school staff or transparency.
Vazquez often allies with the current board president, Gianina Baker, and Bruce Brown. The other alliance currently includes Holder, Mark Holm and past board president Amy Armstrong.
Three board members resigned in 2024, each citing unproductive dynamics on the board. Two resigned in March. After a turbulent process of trying to replace them, the regional superintendent stepped in to appoint replacements. One of the new appointees, Sam Banks, resigned in December.
The board plans to consider its options based on the applicant pool at their next meeting on January 27.