Joe Oberweis to resign from Kaneland school board

MAPLE PARK – A prominent local businessman will not serve out his term on the Kaneland School District 302 board.

Joe Oberweis, president and CEO of Oberweis Dairy and son of state Sen. Jim Oberweis, R-Sugar Grove, confirmed Thursday that he intends to submit a letter of resignation to administrators and his colleagues on the board.

Oberweis said he is resigning because he and his family are moving into a new home in Batavia, which is outside the Kaneland district boundaries.

“My understanding in speaking with the district’s legal counsel is that if you no longer live in the district, you cannot continue serving on the board,” Oberweis said. “So with my kids getting ready to start school in a new district ... it was best to offer the board the flexibility and the timing they need to start the school year with a new board member in my place.”

Oberweis, of Sugar Grove, served on the Kaneland board for a little more than two years.
He was elected in 2011 from among a field of seven candidates to a four-year term.

When he ran for the board, Oberweis touted his experience as an executive at his family’s North Aurora-based business to highlight his skills at “solving problems.”

During his time on the board, Oberweis served as a member of the bargaining committee that negotiated a new contract with Kaneland’s teachers.

He said that achievement by the board was notable for its success at improving relations between district employees and administration.

“It’s a huge testament to [District 302 Superintendent Jeff Schuler] and the teachers that the conflict was resolved so early on, and so positively,” Oberweis said.

He said he was proud of the decisions the board and administrators have made during “difficult economic times.”

“It’s a great organization,” Oberweis said. “And I am certainly disappointed to not be a part of it going forward.”

The Kaneland board is expected to begin discussing how to replace Oberweis at its meeting Monday.
Oberweis said he has not decided whether he will seek an office in his new hometown of Batavia.

“I didn’t see serving on the [Kaneland] board as a stepping stone to do something else,” Oberweis said. “For me, it was a way to add value to my community and be a part of what’s going on.”