Mokena SD 159 board president resigns
BY SUSAN DEMAR LAFFERTY slafferty@southtownstar.com July 24, 2012 4:50PM
John Troy
Updated: August 26, 2012 6:18AM
As he submitted his resignation as Mokena School District 159 board president Monday, John Troy also submitted his application for the district business manager’s position.
“People might think it’s strange, but this is the career path I wanted to take. I can’t let a volunteer position get in the way,” Troy said.
For the past year, he has worked on his certification as a chief school business official at Northern Illinois University. He has a master’s degree in business administration from DePaul University, a law degree from John Marshall Law School, previously owned a financial services company and works as a lawyer.
Even though his fellow board members told Troy he did not have to resign unless he is hired for the position, Troy said he wanted to resign first to avoid any appearance of impropriety.
“My experience and credentials speak for themselves,” he said. “I expect the board to hire the most qualified candidate.”
Troy said he is looking for jobs in other school districts as well.
The business manager’s seat is open since Kirt Hendrick resigned July 11. Supt. Steve Stein said Hendrick, who was in the job for only one year, had not accepted another position.
In crafting a preliminary budget for the 2013 fiscal school year — which projects a $400,000 deficit — the board is considering upping administrative salaries. The business manager’s salary could increase by $20,000 to $100,000, the superintendent’s pay by $10,000, and the student services director by $40,000.
