New Lenox school board President Nick DiSandro said Monday that board member Maureen Broderick's involvement in objecting to fellow member Kathy Miller's election petition, then voting to kick Miller off the ballot, was politically motivated and embarrassing.
In a press conference Monday afternoon at the District 122 administrative office, DiSandro said that on behalf of New Lenox School District 122 Board of Education that he has contacted the Will County State's Attorney's Office, the Will County Regional Superintendent's Office and the Illinois State Board of Education in regard to a matter he refers to as "dirty" on Broderick's part.
"Kathy's right to due process was taken away from her," DiSandro said. "She didn't get a right to a fair hearing."
On Jan. 11, Miller was kicked off the ballot after the district's Electoral Board, which includes Broderick, voted 2-1 to invalidate Miller's nominating petition. Broderick was one of the two votes, with the other being board member Sue Smith.
At the press conference DiSandro provided the details of a phone conversation with Broderick he had on Jan. 3, the day the objection to Miller's petition was filed.
DiSandro said Broderick reviewed the petitions of those who filed for the April 2013 school board election and filed objections to the documents turned in by Miller, an incumbent, and Thomas Hottinger.
"She wrote both statements but she did not sign (the one against Miller)," DiSandro said.
That objection was signed by New Lenox's Nikki Sanders, who never viewed the petition. DiSandro said Broderick didn't sign the objection against Miller, because she wanted to remain seated on the Electoral Board. She also withdrew her objection to Hottinger's petition so she could sit on the board.
When asked to respond to DiSandro's accusations, Broderick said, "I never told him I wrote it. I never told him that at all. I'm extremely upset that this whole thing is coming to bite me. The main focus is on me now; it should be on Miller. I had nothing to do with what he is alleging that I did."
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Addressing the withdrawal of her objection to Hottinger, Broderick said, (DiSandro) called me to withdraw the objection to Hottinger so that I could sit on that board."
DiSandro said he told Broderick she should recuse herself from the hearing. He said that Broderick responded that she wanted to remain on the Electoral Board: '"It's legal, I can.' And she's right. Legally she can. I spoke with the school district's attorney, and he said, "legally she could.'"
"However, I don't believe that anyone should be judge, jury and executioner," DiSandro said.
Supt. Michael Sass announced at the press conference that Broderick told him on Jan. 3 that she took pictures of the documents with her cell phone.
"In my opinion, it's disgusting; it's sad. ... She put me in a horrible position," DiSandro said. "Speaking on behalf of the board, we're embarrassed."
The Electoral Board hearing has cost the district thousands of dollars, DiSandro said, though he didn't have a specific amount on hand Monday.
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Ann C. Piasecki
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New Lenox Mom
6:53 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Seriously, this entire board is an embarrassment!!! DiSandro why don't you run for state or federal office, sounds like you would fit right in!
NLMom
7:10 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Nepotism is embarrassing too. A lot of things are embarrassing. All Ms. Miller had to do was fill out paperwork correctly and she wouldn't be in this situation. Had she gone the extra mile and gotten more signatures than she needed she wouldn't be in this situation. Doing the bare minimum is never a good idea. Was the board embarrassed when they voted to divide another administrator's salary between the administration behind closed doors in violation of the open meetings act? The taxpayers would expect more out of their board president than this. Kathy Miller can appeal the decision and then the chips can fall where they may. There are rules that should be followed. Kathy Miller is an adult and should know that. Who cares who was behind the complaint about her paperwork? Her paperwork wasn't correct. I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to fill out the paperwork in question.
eliza
7:14 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The entire board should resign...what kind of message is this sending to our students?!
NL Taxpayer
2:46 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Eliza, how does this situation involve elementary children? And, if they were, wouldn't this be an excellent learning situation. Broderick exerting her right. Broderick and any other board member or voting NL citizen has a right to challenge a candidate's competence. GOOD for M. Broderick and THANK YOU to her for looking out for the NL citizens. NONE of the NL voters are doing what really needs to be done -- Broderick is doing the NL voters a favor!
Cat
7:26 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Wow. Broderick's nonsense since day one on this board is costing us money. Money our schools need. I don't expect my taxes to go for this crap. The more I read about her the more I realize she is nothing but a con artist and scammer. Theft now? She is trash
Lea Bowes
9:06 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Broderick is also the town gossip. Do some research look at all the problems she has caused. She alone has made a mockery of our district. When is she on the ballot again?????
Kimberly
7:40 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Is Broderick on the ballot?
Will County Resident
8:29 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
No, the following are on the ballot.
# Philip E. Adair
# Thomas T. Hottinger
# Deborah M. Kedzior
# Gregory S. Loock
# Patrick J. Martino
# William Pender
# Sue Smith
# Rhonda Starklauf
New Lenox Mom
7:43 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
NLMom, agree 100%. Let's shift the blame so that Kathy Miller looks like she is just being targeted. The paperwork was not correct...end of story, if you want to be on the ballot do it correctly.
Cat, had the paperwork been done correctly and everything was in order, there would not have to be money spent. How exactly is Broderick and con artist? By doing her job? Sounds like the board president needed to start a whole he said/she said to shift the blame. There is no one to blame but Kathy Miller, period.
Momoftoo
7:51 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
The Three Stooges have nothing on these morons.
eliza
9:35 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
What do the other board members have to say about this nonsense? It sounds like a bad soap opera.
NL Taxpayer
2:46 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
eliza...does that actually matter? Why can't a NL resident/citizen look out for the rest of the "us" ? Broderick is demonstrating her right and concern. What is wrong with actively "looking" for a way to "get rid" of an incompetent member of a school board.
NLDad
9:35 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Another case of the tail wagging the dog for Nick DiSandro. He's awfully passionate about Ms. Miller's situation and candidacy...why? What does he have to gain in this matter? Rather than demonize Ms. Broderick and deflect the blame, he should acknowledge the mistake, apologize for the subsequent politics and move on. To equate Ms. Broderick to an "executioner" is reckless and irresponsible on his part.
Mr. DiSandro: you seem to forget that many NL residents voted for Ms. Broderick and Ms. Smith (many times) and if not for them, the rest of the board (i.e. Martino, Kedzior, Pender) would be entirely in the pocket of Mike Sass, teachers and the administration. It's time for you to embrace your role as a servant to ALL NL residents, reign in outrageous spending habits, demand improved student performance and reflect the majority beliefs of this community.
On behalf of the NL residents, I'm proud of Ms. Broderick and Ms. Smith as they demonstrated the courage it takes to make a difficult decision. I'm embarrassed for you, Mr. DiSandro.
NL Taxpayer
2:46 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
NLDad...you are correct! Both Broderick and Smith have, for many years, done their homework. They have too often been portrayed incorrectly. They have always been properly representing the NL taxpayers. Remember when Sass opened his contract early. Both ladies voted against it (including Martino) because they take their fiduciary duty to NL taxpayers. (Miller, Kedzior, Marcus, Gillooley) Sass got what he wanted, but it will hurt NL taxpayers in the end.
NL Taxpayer
2:46 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
NLDad....PLEASE run in the next school board election. Again, you said it ALL, NL voters are well aware of Broderick & Smith's value on the school board over the years. They have time and time again demonstrated their concerns to stop the outrageous spending but all too often have been outvoted by the Sass groupies - past and present.
hhsffa
9:35 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Momoftoo appreciate your commnet, but it is not the "Three Stooges" how about the 7 dwarfs.....all named dopey.
NL Citizen
9:43 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
I've lived in New Lenox for a number of years & one big reason we moved here was for the schools. Right now I'd be ashamed to admit I reside in this disfunctional district. Why don't they stop the politics and the he said - she said garbage and get down to working for our school system and provide our children with a quality education. Maybe there should be change and a good cleansing of this board. Get educated on all the candidates that will ultimately be on the ballot & get out & vote, people!
hhsffa
9:54 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Education......one of the few professions where the nonprofessionals have authority over professionals. Would you like your neighbor telling a physician what the best practices are? But you except a lay person's comments over a person who has been educated in learning. Just remember everyone is an expert in education....after all they all went to school at one time (many years ago)
hhsffa
10:25 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
NL Citizen...You are so correct. I moved here for the eduational system. I knew researched to program and found the test scores to be great. Additionally feeding into 210, scores did not dip. Moving here was a decision made for my kids. But when it comes to the BOE it is about politics. At least the BOE is not in the classroom and are just a sideline circus. they are disfunctional, but at least they have leadership, great teachers and are moving the learning forward. The 7 dwarfs can stay back in the magic kingdom.
New Lenox Mom
10:30 pm on Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Very well stated NLDad, it would be nice for DiSandro to move on, but it appears he can't. Instead, he will attempt to spend even more district money by contacting every legal entity he could think of to continue to demonize a board member who did the right thing. Is DiSandro up for reelection?? Can't make changes if we don't vote these clowns out!
Lea Bowes
8:29 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Please, just vote ALL of these idiots out. The selfishness that is shown on ALL of them is really very disgusting. They are always fighting and making accusations. It is never about our children! It is always about there selfish agendas. Yes, I agree they are an embarressment! Lets get some professionals who care about our children in there. Please!!!!!
Amanda Bowl
8:29 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Bad, bad Mo! Go Nick!
Angel Diaz
8:54 am on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
What does Martino, Pender, and Kedzior have to say about all this? Their silence on this makes them as guilty as the rest. This is going to make it very easy for me to make a decision on who to vote for in April.
Denise S.
11:45 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Angel, good observation. Silence speaks volumes. However, let's give them the benefit of doubt. They could be as fed up with the situation as we all are. Don't forget, Martino, Pender, and Kedzior are taxpayers as well, and they see what's going on. Please don't get my wrong, I have no alliance to any of the board members. They silence doesn't always equate to guilt.
Serge Storms - I Follow No One
1:47 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Can Kathy Miller be a write in candidate for those who wish to vote for her?
School board meetings are open to the public they are held at the administration building on the corner of Haven and Cedar. I encourage all that are concerned to attend these meetings and please do not disrupt these meetings as they are discussing matters on our school children and our tax dollars. Be respectful.
See how the all board members and all the administration officials act and how and why they vote on issues. See for yourself.
Jill
8:47 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
I guess Nick DiSandro thinks Kathy Miller should get a "Re-Do" like the kids at the district get. Sorry Nick & Kathy.. In real life there are no "Re-Do's".