Lawyer named to fill vacancy on Washington Local board

9/16/2004

The Washington Local Schools Board of Education last night appointed Thomas Ilstrup to the five-member board to fill a vacancy after board member Pat Trzaskowski resigned last month.

Mr. Ilstrup, 42, a lawyer with three children who attend Washington Local, will serve the remaining 15 months of Ms. Trzaskowski's term. She is moving from the district.

The board voted 3-0 to select Mr. Ilstrup after interviewing more than a half-dozen applicants earlier. Board member John Adler was absent from last night's meeting.

In other action, the board approved a list of building repair projects totaling $8.56 million it will do if voters approve a new 3.9-mill levy in November.

Superintendent Michael Carmean said important projects on the list include acquiring portable classrooms for Greenwood Elementary School to replace ones that are about 30 years old and remodeling the auditorium at Whitmer High School.

The repair projects were compiled by school principals and maintenance staff.

If the 3.9-mill measure is approved, 2.9 mills will go to the district's general operating fund and 1 mill for capital improvements. The proposed continuing levy would cost an additional $9.95 a month for the owner of a $100,000 house, adding about $4.3 million a year to the district's operating budget.

District voters last approved additional millage in 2000 when they supported 4 mills for general operations and 1.2-mills for capital improvements.