January 07, 2025
Education

Matya steps down as District 428 board president

By DEBBIE BEHRENDS

Tom Matya

DeKALB – Former DeKalb School District 428 Board President Tom Matya remains on the board but passed its leadership to another member after being named Kishwaukee Health System's board chairman.

"I didn't feel I could do justice to both the school board and the health system," Matya said.
Former vice president Tracy Williams moved into the president's chair, and board members elected Victoria Newport the new vice president.

At the same time, Matya said he is taking over as chairman of the Kishwaukee Health System board of directors. He also served as chairman of the IHSA Destination DeKalb Host Committee, which helped host the state high school football championship games last month at Northern Illinois University, and was elected first vice chairman of the Opportunity House Inc. board of directors this summer.

Matya said he's worked closely with the rest of the board for nearly three years, since his election in April 2011. Williams believes the transition should be seamless.

"Tom [Matya] and I have worked together on all the initiatives that came before the board and have communicated almost daily," Williams said. "I think we're like-minded in a lot of ways, so I don't anticipate any real change. Tom has a little more polish at running meetings, but other than that, I don't see any real changes."

Also in his first term on the board, Williams believes the board is a cohesive, professional group.

"This is a good group, we work well together. I don't know that it would matter who the president is," Williams said.

Newport agreed with Williams' assessment.

"I don't see much change happening in how we get things done. It's a great group of people and we have candid dialogue," she said.

D-428 Superintendent Jim Briscoe agrees the transition will be smooth.

"Tom and Tracy have worked side-by-side on almost every issue over the past 2 1/2 years. Both are very familiar with pending issues and the goals of the district," Briscoe said. "I don't see any changes moving forward."