Board appoints new member

Board of Education written on a chalk board

The Butler School District 53 Board of Education at its meeting Oct. 15 approved the appointment of Keith Carlson as a new Board member. Carlson is a commercial manager for plastic distributor M. Holland and a 16-year-resident of Oak Brook. He was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Dr. Elizabeth Chun who resigned earlier this month. The term expires in April 2019.  

In addition, at its meeting, the Board voted to appoint Mr. Chris Edmonds as president of the Board and Dr. Sally Beatty as vice president. Mr. Ahmad Sulaiman will remain as secretary.

Carlson and his wife are the parents of three children, a daughter at Hinsdale Central, a son in 8th grade at Butler Junior High and another son in 4th grade at Brook Forest. Carlson’s wife Andrea is an ER physician, head of toxicology and a director of residency at Advocate Christ Hospital in Oak Lawn. Carlson said he sought the appointment because it’s a critical time for the District as it faces a nationwide superintendent search. “It’s an honor to be selected and to serve,” he said. “We are blessed to live in a school district and community that values each child and maximizes their talents.” He earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Northern Illinois University in Marketing and Finance.     

The Board interviewed four applicants for the open position on Oct. 8 and said that they were thankful for involvement and appreciated their perspective.  “We are excited to welcome Mr. Carlson to the Board of Education,” said Board President Mr. Christopher Edmonds. “Keith has been an avid supporter of the community and the District over the years. We look forward to leveraging his deep knowledge of the community and his keen business experience for the benefit of all families in the District,” said Edmonds. 

Dr. Chun, who served eight years on the Board and more recently as president of the Board, said she resigned because her children are grown and living elsewhere and she would like to travel more.