District 99 Board President Withdraws from Upcoming Election

Bill White, incumbent president of the Community High School District 99 school board, has withdrawn his candidacy from the upcoming consolidation election.

White, who was elected to the District 99 school board in 2009, announced Thursday that he has filed paperwork to formally remove his name from the April 9 election ballot.

In a statement, White said he is proud of the "real and positive change that has come to the District 99 board" and "eager to push forward with new initiatives in support of public education." However, he added, those initiatives will require him "to look beyond the boundaries of any one school district."

“Continuing to serve on the District 99 board would legitimately constrain my ability to advocate on behalf of public education in venues outside District 99 or to approach multiple school districts to advocate for better collaboration and cooperation,” White said.

White's departure from the District 99 race narrows the field to six candidates: incumbents Deborah "Debbie" Boyle, Teresa "Terry" Pavesich and Julia Kennedy Beckman, and newcomers Martin Gorski, Henry P. Jakobsze and Rick Pavinato.

White said he initially filed because he was unsure who else was planning to run.

“At the time I filed, the only other qualified candidate I knew for certain would file was incumbent Vice President Deborah Boyle," White said. "I was unwilling to move on to other endeavors without knowing whether there would be a sufficient number of qualified candidates to fill the open seats.”

White said he is confident District 99 will be well represented by the three board members elected in 2011—Keith Matune, Michael Davenport and Nancy Kupka—and the remaining candidates.

"This development allows me to withdraw from the race, giving me greater freedom to advocate for strong, locally controlled public education in venues that extend beyond Community High School District 99,” White said.

Related stories:

• April 2013 Consolidated Election: Downers Grove Voter Guide

• Seven File for District 99 School Board; Four in District 58

• Candidates File for Downers Grove School Boards

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