Due to “disruptive” behavior, a Downers Grove school board member has called for a colleague’s dismissal from all district committees.
Downers Grove Grade School District 58 board member Steve Funk said fellow board member Scott O’Connell should not be a part of any committees in the district as he has been “disruptive since day one.”
“I think being on a committee is a privilege when you are a member of the board,” Funk said. “Being a member means you have the best interest of the board in mind. I feel strongly about this and we are totally in our realm to take him from the (Legislative) Committee.”
Funk made the suggestion Monday, Feb. 8.
O’Connell’s response to Funk at the School Board meeting was, “Be careful with what you say when you throw out facts.” O’Connell did not immediately return calls for comment Tuesday.
School Board President Elizabeth Davis said after elections, the board president appoints members to chair different committees, and O’Connell has been on the Legislative Committee since he was elected six years ago.
Board member Gary Lester is the chair of the Legislative Committee and said he thinks the committee works well together.
“I certainly feel what Steve feels as far as concerns and what we have been put through as a School Board — those feelings are real and they add up,” Lester said. “As far as relating to the Legislative Committee, I haven’t seen any kind of thing (similar) on the committee.”
Ultimately, the decision is up to Davis.
Funk said the community expects the School Board to do something about O’Connell, based on several e-mails Funk received calling for O’Connell’s resignation, due to postponing the life-safety bonds.
“It is not going to stop. This guy is not going to stop,” Funk said. “He can be on the board but shouldn’t be allowed to be in any other process.”
Board member John Miller said he understood the frustration, but is not sure this course of action will solve the problem.
“I just wish (Scott) could be more considerate about other opinions,” Miller said. “You are the first one to jump up and down saying, ‘You gotta respect mine,’ but you respect no one else’s opinion. Usually I can figure out someone’s agenda. I can’t figure yours out.”
Davis said she would take the suggestion under consideration and values the board’s input. The item will be placed on the agenda for the March 8 meeting.
