Downers Grove Grade School District 58 Board of Education hopes to have a recent vacancy filled in one month.

Thomas Cunningham resigned from his position Sept. 21, after 14 years on the board. He submitted a one-sentence resignation letter via e-mail to the district office and each board member. He did not cite a reason for his departure.

Multiple calls to Cunningham were not returned.

The board will hold the special meeting Oct. 22 to interview candidates who have applied for the position. A decision will be made the same night.

School Board President Elizabeth Davis said replacing Cunningham will be hard.

“Clearly this is a loss for the district,” Davis said. “Tom has done so much for the students and the district. I’m truly sad to see him go. He’s truly a child advocate, and he’s gone above and beyond.”

Those interested in filling the vacancy should call board secretary, Pamela Osika, at (630) 719-5803. An application must be filled out and submitted to the board no later than Oct. 9. An application can be downloaded from the district’s Web site at dg58.dupage.k12.il.us.

Selected applicants will be interviewed at the special meeting. If additional time is needed, more interviews will be conducted Oct. 23.

Those who apply must be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, a registered voter and a District 58 resident for at least a year. Child sex offenders are not eligible.

As of Tuesday, Sept. 29, no applicants have applied for the vacant position, according to District 58 spokeswoman Jennifer Waldorf.