D229 Initiates Newest Board Members

With their right hands raised, Mike McCarthy, Tim Burke, Jim Melnik and Matt Egan were formally sworn in as District 229 school board members Wednesday evening. As full-time representatives of Oak Lawn Community High School, they pledged their support to not only their colleagues, but also the community at large.

Elected by community members, each man has now assumed a position that will place them on the forefront of potential budget debates, union negotiations, and other deliberations that may be addressed in the near future. From understanding the developing structure of the school administration, to familiarizing themselves with past board resolutions, the job at hand seems daunting.

“It’s a serious case of information overload for these guys,” D229 Superintendent Mike Riordan told Patch. “They are now accountable to over 200 teachers, counselors and support staff."

Though numerous challenges no doubt face the district, senior board members offered their guidance to the newcomers. President Dan Janik, along with Vice President Melissa Slade, maintained their commitment to students and faculty, despite the evident change in membership.

After running through their unique roles as board members, Riordan encouraged his associates to contact him directly for any further clarification of their duties.

In keeping with the old adage “With great power comes great responsibility," Riordan warned board members to be wary of over-persuasive neighbors that might try to get a particular issue brought to the table. With a controversial property deal with Ed Napleton Honda set to take center stage at an upcoming Oak Lawn Village Board meeting, emotions have run high in the past weeks.

And what of the board members themselves? What was their impression of the work that lay ahead? Newly-elected Mike McCarthy agreed that his first meeting was overwhelming, but was nonetheless ready to get down to business.

“I just want to do what’s best for the community, but more importantly, the kids."