Bob Skolnik

Contributing Reporter at Riverside-Brookfield Landmark

Journalist.

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Articles

Oak Park and River Forest High School teacher quits, alleges discrimination

1 week ago | chicagotribune.com | Bob Skolnik

A special education at Oak Park and River Forest High School who left her job and classroom with just two weeks left in the school year said in a public comment at a School Board meeting that she was forced to resign. Kiah Brown, who had taught at OPRF since 2019, addressed the OPRF District 200 school board at its May 22 meeting just six days after she abruptly left her job.
Costs go up for football field work at Oak Park and River Forest

2 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Bob Skolnik

The price of the ongoing geothermal project at Oak Park and River Forest High School is going to be a little higher than projected due to two changes that are estimated to cost nearly $174,000.
Oak Park trustee Susan Buchanan once targeted by InfoWars resigns, citing burnout

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Bob Skolnik

Susan Buchanan, a leading advocate of climate action and sustainability, has resigned from the Oak Park Village Board, leaving the board with a vacancy until a replacement is appointed. Buchanan unexpectedly resigned her position on the Village Board on May 9 with two years left on her term, saying she was burned out and no longer had the bandwidth to serve. The recent death of her two parents within seven months brought things to a head, and she felt that she no longer could serve.
Students held in classrooms after pepper spray incident at Oak Park and River Forest High School

3 weeks ago | chicagotribune.com | Bob Skolnik

A student at Oak Park and River Forest High School who was involved in a lunchtime altercation discharged some pepper spray causing the school to be put on a short term stay in place order and prompted an investigation by Oak Park police. “During the 6th hour lunch, there was a conflict between two students in the Commons area, in front of the Student Activities Center,” stated a message the school sent out to parents early Wednesday afternoon.
Oak Park and River Forest High School assistant superintendent Laurie Fiorenza to resign

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Bob Skolnik

The administrator who oversees all things academic at Oak Park and River Forest High School is leaving the school at the end of this school year. Laurie Fiorenza, assistant superintendent for student learning, is resigning effective June 30. Fiorenza has been at OPRF for six years, the last four in the assistant superintendent position, after starting out as the director of student learning. It is not clear if Fiorenza has another job lined up and she has not responded to requests for comment.
Oak Park and River Forest High School board looks forward

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Bob Skolnik

The rancor of the campaign season was put to bed last week as the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 board installed its new board president and seated its new and returning members. Former president Tom Cofsky departed after swearing in the four winners — two incumbents and two newcomers — in the April 1 election. The newly constituted School Board quickly selected Audrey Williams-Lee by acclimation to be the new board president.
After write-in votes counted, Josh Gertz confirmed on Oak Park and River Forest School Board

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Bob Skolnik

The write-in campaign of David Schaafsma for a seat on the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 Board of Education came up short as Schaafsma ended up 919 votes behind fourth place finisher Josh Gertz in the battle for the fourth seat in the April 1 School Board election. The write-in vote count was posted April 16 on the Cook County Clerk’s election results website.
New Oak Park library director eyes ‘healing work’ amid DEI dustup

1 month ago | chicagotribune.com | Bob Skolnik

A little more than a year after their controversial firing of their previous executive director the Oak Park Library Board has found a replacement. The Library Board voted unanimously March 27 to hire Elsworth Carman to be the new head of the library, replacing Joslyn Bowling Dixon. Carman, 44, is currently the director of Iowa City Public Library.
Four new members win seats on Oak Park Public Library Board

2 months ago | chicagotribune.com | Bob Skolnik

Four new members of the Oak Park Public Library Board will be sworn in next month after both incumbents running for reelection lost April 1, according to unofficial election results, a little more than a year after the Library Board voted to fire former executive director Joslyn Bowling Dixon. Library Board President Matt Furth, who has been on the Library Board for 20 years, following in the footsteps of his father, finished last in a field of eight candidates, a stunning rebuke.
Israeli war tensions surface in Oak Park and River Forest School Board race

2 months ago | chicagotribune.com | Bob Skolnik

The West Cook Branch of the Chicago Democratic Socialists of America got involved at the last moments of the Oak Park and River Forest High School District 200 School Board race by distributing a flyer attacking candidates Nate Mellman and Josh Gertz and also sending an email attacking Mellman and Gertz as well as three Oak Park Library Board candidates. The DSA also advocated for three of the four eventual winning candidates in the Library Board race in the email.