Just over a year after being sworn in as a new school board member, Becky Perez has resigned from the Oak Park’s District 97 school board. Perez, who works as a school psychologist at Oak Park and River Forest High School, was elected to the D97 elementary school board last year finishing second in a field of six candidates.
Perez’s resignation from the D97 school board was announced at the May 26 school board meeting but was effective May 18. Perez has not immediately responded to phone, text and email messages from Wednesday Journal asking why she resigned from the school board. Perez was quoted in a statement posted on the D97 website as saying that she was proud of her role in hiring incoming superintendent Terri Bresnahan.
“Serving on the District 97 board of education has been an immense honor,” Pérez was quoted as saying in the D97 post about her resignation. “Looking back at what we have accomplished together, I am most proud of hiring Dr. Bresnahan, and I look forward to seeing her work alongside our talented staff. While I am stepping away from this formal role, my commitment to the Oak Park community remains strong, and I will always continue to support our students, teachers, and schools.”
In the post school board president Cheree Moore praised Perez for her contributions during her one year on the school board.
“On behalf of the entire board, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Becky for her unwavering dedication to District 97 and the Oak Park community,” Moore was quoted as saying. “Becky has been a true champion for our students and families, consistently bringing both expertise and heart to our work. While we will miss her leadership, we are incredibly grateful for her service and wish her the absolute best in her next chapter.”
After the May 26 meeting Moore said she didn’t know why Perez resigned from the board and said that Perez’s resignation letter did not give a reason.
During the May 26 meeting some other board members also thanked Perez for her service.
“It is no mean feat to serve on the board,” said board member Nancy Ross Dribin. “It’s a lot of time and a lot of thought power so I just want to say thank you for the time that she added that to the school board.
Perez is a former D97 employee. During her campaign for the school board last year Perez emphasized equity and serving students. She brought the insights of a former employee and as a parent of two current elementary school students. Perez was the only Latina member of the school board and brought that perspective to the school board.
The board has 60 days to appoint someone to replace Perez on the board. That person will serve on the board until next year’s school board election. Those wishing to be considered to replace Perez on the board must complete the District 97 Board of Education Vacancy Application and submit a resume and cover letter. All application materials must be submitted no later than 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 4, 2026. The board intends to review applications and interview candidates during an executive session at its regular meeting on June 9, 2026.
Jung Kim, board vice-president, said this would be a good opportunity for those who might be considering running for the school board to have an opportunity to serve on the school board without the hassle of running a campaign and trying to get elected. And if they like serving on the school board they could run in 2027 as an incumbent, Kim said.
“This is a good way to get a taste of being on the school board,” Kim said.
Five seats on the D97 school board will be up for election in 2027. Perez’s former seat will be up for a two-year term and four seats with four-year terms will be on the ballot. The seats currently held by Moore, Kim, Holly Spurlock and Gavin Kearney along with Perez’s former seat will be on the ballot next year. Spurlock is currently serving her third term on the school board while Moore, Kearney and Kim are all in their second terms on the board. Perez was the only current school board member who was in her first term on the school board.
