March 28, 2024
McHenry County | Northwest Herald


McHenry County

Algonquin-based District 300 appoints new school board member

Algonquin-based Community Unit School District 300’s school board appointed a new member, Emmanuel Thomas, at its most recent meeting.

Thomas replaces former member Mary McNicholas, who resigned from the board in October to go to law school.

McNicholas was first elected to District 300’s school board in 2017, meaning Thomas will serve out the remainder of her term, which expires following the April 2021 election.

Thomas has a child enrolled in a District 300 school and has 31 years of public service experience, according to the district’s website. This includes serving in the U.S. military and working for the U.S. Postal Service where Thomas currently serves as a postmaster.

Thomas has two master’s degrees, one in instruction and curriculum and a second one in organizational leadership management, as well as a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.

Eight candidates applied for the vacant District 300 school board seat.

The application process required each candidate to deliver a statement during the Oct. 27 board meeting and to participate in a formal interview with the Board of Education. During his statement, Thomas said involvement, accountability and transparency are important to him.

Several employees who work with Thomas in the postal service, as well as his wife and son, encouraged Thomas to apply to be a board member.

“I served in Desert Storm. I've seen a lot of things,” Thomas said. “I'm here to make a change.”

In a statement, board President Anne Miller said the school board thanks all who applied and interviewed for the board vacancy.

“Each candidate demonstrated an observable passion for our district and the Board sincerely appreciates their support for our schools and our students,” Miller said in the statement. “After conducting a thorough application and interview process, we believe Mr. Thomas’s career experience, commitment to our community, and enthusiasm for our schools will make him a tremendous asset on our board and a strong advocate for our district.”