Barker tabbed as new St. Charles School Board president

The St. Charles School Board has new leadership.

At Monday’s special School Board meeting, Jillian Barker was tabbed as the new St. Charles School Board president by the majority of board members. Barker was first elected to the board in 2019.

Board member Heidi Fairgrieve, who won reelection to the board last month, was chosen by the majority of board members as vice president. Dist. 303 School Board members Ed McNally and Carolyn Waibel also won reelection to the board.

At the meeting, outgoing St. Charles School Board President Nick Manheim, who did not run for reelection, was recognized for his 10 years of service on the board. Waibel noted his many accomplishments while on the board, including helping forge a partnership between the St. Charles Park District and the School District to manage the Norris Recreation Center as well as for pushing forward a $50 million project to upgrade Wredling Middle School and renovate Thompson Middle School.

Waibel also noted that Manheim pushed for air conditioners in all the district’s buildings, using his personal expertise as an architect to understand the needs of each building.

“Again, going above and beyond his regular board day to help ensure our kids have AC and can be educated and learn in comfort,” she said. “Thank you Nick Manheim for 10 years of service, dedication and love to this district, community and all the kids.”

Newly elected board member Kate Bell also took her seat on the board during the meeting.