The Butler School District 53 Board of Education at its meeting Nov. 6 approved the appointment of Dr. Sanjay Rao as a new Board member. Dr. Rao is an eye surgeon and the Director of Refractive, Cornea and Advanced Anterior Segment Surgery at Lakeside Eye Group in Chicago. He is a 32-year-resident of Oak Brook.
He was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Lou Paskalides who resigned in October. He will be sworn in at the next Board meeting Monday, Nov. 12 at 6:30 p.m. The term expires in April 2019.
Dr. Rao and his wife are the parents of three children, a daughter at Hinsdale Central, a daughter in 8th grade at Butler Junior High and another son in 4th grade at Brook Forest. Dr. Rao’s wife Ruta is a breast oncologist and the Medical Director of the Rush Cancer Center in Chicago. Dr. Rao earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Brown University in Public Policy and earned his Medical Degree from Brown University.
Dr. Rao said he sought the appointment because he wanted to influence operational and personnel decisions in the school district as well as influence the strategic vision for the district. “I wanted to be on the School Board to actively engage with the broader Oak Brook community to reinforce the value of great schools in maintaining a vibrant and desirable community.”
The Board said they were thrilled to add Dr. Rao to the Board “His perspective on health issues and community relationships will serve us all well as we seek to raise our high performing district to new levels of success,” said Board President Christopher Edmonds. “The group of dedicated community members who came forward to serve the families of District 53 provided a truly unprecedented pool of talent. While this choice was incredibly difficult, we are excited to incorporate the experiences and perspectives that Dr. Rao will contribute in the coming months and years,” he said.