Dist. 300 board has 45 days to fill Rice vacancy

The Du Quoin Community Unit Dist. 300 Board of Education has 45 days from the date of board member Charles "Beaver" Rice's death to fill the vacancy or it will be filled by the Jackson-Perry County regional superintendent of schools Donna Boros.

Rice, 55, passed away Friday, Dec. 19 in St. Louis University Hospital.

Supt. Dr. Gary Kelly and board president Mike Ward have sent a letter to regional superintendent of schools Boros declaring that a vacancy exists on the board.

Dr. Kelly said the board will consider nominations from within its own ranks and will entertain letters of nomination from the public, as well.

"We hope to have a special meeting in early January to decide," said Dr. Kelly. "That's what the board did the last time there was a vacancy; I think a board member moved," said Dr. Kelly.

Rice was vice-president of the board. Other members are president Mike Ward, secretary John Vancil, Paul Brock, Dennis Cole, Zach McPherson and Larry Valier.

Rice was a board member from within Township 6-1.

He would have faced re-election again in 2017.

The vacancy will be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term.