Woodstock School District 200 seats 3 board members

Three Woodstock School District 200 Board members have been sworn in to serve new terms: incumbent Jerry Miceli, recently appointed member Michelle Bidwell and new member John Headley.

The three will serve four-year terms that expire in 2023.

Bidwell was appointed Dec. 11 after former board member David Shinherr moved out of the state for a new job. She works as a clinical psychologist, has two children and has lived in Woodstock for 12 years.

Miceli works as a high school teacher in Vernon Hills. He has been on the board since 2015.

Headley ran unopposed for the spot that was held by Russ Goerlitz, who chose not to seek another term. Goerlitz had been on the board for 11 years after getting involved with the district’s Facilities Review Committee, according to a District 200 news release.

“He’s been a person to go to, to rely upon,” board President Carl Gilmore said. “He’s been a wonderful member of this board, and we’re going to miss him terribly.”

Headley was a social studies teacher and department head at Woodstock High School. He retired in 2017 after more than 30 years with the district. He also coached baseball and helped found the school’s Key Club, which teaches students the importance of community service.

“I’ve always tried to put kids before anything else in decision-making,” Headley said. “The most important thing any teacher can do, and I want to carry the same philosophy to the board, is to engage kids. Engagement is the gateway to education. You need to be able to have the kids communicate with you. That’s the crucial element.”

The board members also selected board officers: Carl Gilmore will remain president, Jacob Homuth will remain vice president, and John Parisi will serve again as board secretary.