The District 97 Board of Education announced Tuesday that board member Becky Pérez has resigned from her position. Her resignation was officially submitted and became effective on May 18, 2026.
“On behalf of the entire board, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Becky for her unwavering dedication to District 97 and the Oak Park community,” Board President Cheree Moore said. “Becky has been a true champion for our students and families, consistently bringing both expertise and heart to our work. While we will miss her leadership, we are incredibly grateful for her service and wish her the absolute best in her next chapter.”
Pérez was elected to the District 97 Board in April 2025. During her tenure, she leveraged her professional expertise to advocate for student support services and community engagement, while also supporting the search process that led to the hiring of incoming Superintendent Terri Bresnahan.
"Serving on the District 97 Board of Education has been an immense honor," Pérez said. "Looking back at what we have accomplished together, I am most proud of hiring Dr. Bresnahan, and I look forward to seeing her work alongside our talented staff. While I am stepping away from this formal role, my commitment to the Oak Park community remains strong, and I will always continue to support our students, teachers, and schools."
Join the D97 Board of Education: Applications Due June 4
In accordance with state law and board policy, the District 97 Board of Education will fill the vacancy within 60 calendar days of receiving Pérez’s resignation (July 17, 2026). The appointed individual will serve on the board until the next regularly scheduled election in April 2027, at which point an individual will be elected to serve a two-year term.
Residents interested in applying for the vacant position must meet the following core qualifications:
- Be at least 18 years old;
- Have lived in District 97 for at least one year;
- Be a registered voter.
Note: Additional legal criteria regarding public office compatibility, contract interests, and employment restrictions apply. A complete list of statutory disqualifications can be found outlined in Board Policy 2:70.
To apply, interested candidates must complete the District 97 Board of Education Vacancy Application and submit a resume and cover letter.
All application materials must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The Board intends to review applications and interview candidates during an executive session at its regular meeting on June 9, 2026.
Serving on the school board is a meaningful way to give back to our schools and shape the future for Oak Park students. If you have any questions about the role, the timeline, or the application process, please feel free to reach out to Allie Foleno at [email protected]—we welcome your interest and look forward to hearing from you.