Retired teacher says conflict forces him to give up
By Jake Griffin Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted April 11, 2003

A wrinkle in the terms of Robert Lemon's retirement from teaching at West Chicago's Community High School several years ago has forced him to resign from the school board.

Two years after being elected to the District 94 board, Lemon says he has learned of a conflict involving his retirement package if he stayed on the board.

"I regret not being able to fulfill the entire obligation I incurred by the voter," he said. "I'm really sorry."

Lemon's resignation leaves a hole on the seven-member board just days after an election that saw voters oust longtime board member Gerald Landis and elect two new people.

New board President Maria Owens said the panel is looking at all the options available to fill the spot, including determining if Landis is willing to return.

Landis served since 1991.

"He would be considered along with a number of other people," Owens said.

Landis could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Renaming him to the board after he was voted out wouldn't be unprecedented.

In 1991, board President Lawrence Hapgood lost re-election after a bitter teacher contract fight - only to be re-appointed days later. Hapgood, who died in February, was also re-elected to the board presidency, igniting a small civic firestorm.

Current board members said the climate of the district is much different now and that Landis' reappointment likely wouldn't cause as big a ruckus.

"I would be open to it if Gerald was interested and, of course, (depending on) how the rest of the board feels," said John Jensen, one of the two new board members who unseated Landis. The other was Roxanne Westrom.

But Lemon said Landis should consider the voters' decision.

"If I was Mr. Landis, I would remember the Larry Hapgood flap," Lemon said. "It might not sit well with the voters if he did that."

District 94 covers the vast majority of West Chicago, but also reaches into parts of Winfield and Carol Stream.

Landis had said he planned to retire from the board, but reconsidered after failing to find a Carol Stream resident to run for a seat.

Owens said the board will decide Lemon's replacement after evaluating applications. The decision has to be made in 45 days, she said.