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Lockport — Lockport Township High School District 205 Board Member Zyan Navarra has announced his resignation from the board.
According to an announcement from the district on Wednesday, Navarra revealed to Board President Ann Lopez-Caneva in November. that he was married and currently living with his wife in a suburb outside the district.
He was first elected to the board in 2021 and is a 2014 graduate of LTHS.
School District 205 includes Lockport, Crest Hill, Homer Glen and Fairmont, an unincorporated area bordering Lockport.
Navarra’s resignation was officially submitted on Monday, Dec. 16.
Under Illinois state law, school board members must reside within the district’s territory in order to serve.
“The Lockport Township High School District 205 Board of Education is committed to upholding the values of transparency, integrity, and service to our community,” the official district statement said. “Mr. Navarra’s relocation disqualifies him from continuing to serve in his role as a board member.”
The district statement reports that the board consulted with its attorney and the Will County Regional Office of Education after learning of Navarra’s relocation “to ensure compliance with legal requirements and state regulations.”
Navarra’s vacancy reduces the already crowded field in the upcoming 2025 election for school board seats.
Navarra was one of 16 candidates who submitted paperwork to run for six open seats on the board of education.
Five of those candidates will be seeking two, two-year terms, while the remaining 11 are running for four open four-year terms, one of which was held by Navarra until this week.
Lou Ann Johnson is now the only incumbent board member seeking election to a four-year term.
It is unclear how the board will address this temporary vacancy before the April election.
In its statement announcing Navarra’s resignation, the board stated “as we move forward with addressing this vacancy we will share additional details regarding the board’s next steps to fill Mr. Navarra’s vacant seat.”
The board thanked district families for their “continued support” and stated “we assure our students, staff, and families that the board’s focus on providing high-quality education remains unwavering.”