CM 201-U’s New School Board Members Take Oath of Office
New member Dr. Todd C. Hall (District 3) replaces outgoing member Brenda K. Mitchell
Crete-Monee School District 201-U’s special board meeting on Tuesday, May 4, 2021, was a mix of the old and new. Longest-serving board member and former vice president Mr. Maurice Brown administered the oath of office to newly elected member Dr. Todd C. Hall (District 3) and re-elected members Mr. Nelson Albrecht (District 7) and Mrs. Cheryl Roop (District 6).
NEW DAY: New school board secretary Mr. Maurice Brown (far right) shares a smile after administering the oath of office to newly-elected school board member Dr. Todd C. Hall, and re-elected members, Mr. Nelson Albrecht and Mrs. Cheryl Roop at the May 4, 2021, Special Board Meeting.
Dr. Hall is a veteran educator with over 20 years of experience in education as a classroom teacher, school counselor, and administrator. He currently serves as Assistant Principal at Thornwood High School. A proud United States Marine Corps veteran, Dr. Hall holds a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale and a master’s degree in school guidance counseling from Lewis University. In 2015, Dr. Hall received his doctorate degree in educational leadership from the University of St. Francis. He is also the spouse of former school board president, Dr. Nakia Hall.
Outgoing member Mrs. Brenda Mitchell was presented with a plaque recognizing her service to the board by Superintendent Dr. Kara Coglianese. Board members wished her well and thanked her for the impact she made during her short tenure. “When Brenda was going through the interview process, we were all so impressed with her, Mr. Albrecht recalled. “She said, ‘I want to be a part of this team!’ but after getting to know her and her big personality, I said, “I want to be a part of Team Brenda!”
After accepting the plaque, Mrs. Mitchell thanked the board for the opportunity and their good work on behalf of students acknowledging her single term with a quote from one of her favorite movies, Fried Green Tomatoes, stating: “A lady always knows when to exit a room,” she said to laughs and rousing applause.
Lastly, the board adjourned sine die, in which it adopted rules for the election of new officers. Re-elected members, Mr. Albrecht and Mrs. Roop retained their positions as school board president and vice-president, respectively. Veteran board member Mr. Maurice Brown was elected as board secretary and replaces Mrs. Jeanine Galbraith.
NEW 201-U SCHOOL BOARD: (L-R seated) Dr. Todd Hall, President Nelson Albrecht, Vice President Cheryl Roop,
(Standing): Secretary Maurice Brown, Mrs. Sandra Walters, Mrs. Jeanine Galbraith, and Mr. Bill Sawallisch.