Wasko to resign from Argo School Board After Election to Summit Village Board

Argo School Board member Karen Wasko, who was elected last week to the Summit Village Board, announced Monday that she would step down from the board effective May 3.

Wasko, who was the top vote getter in last week’s municipal election with 519 votes, will be sworn in as village trustee in May. According to unofficial election results from the Cook County Clerk’s office, she was elected along with fellow newcomer Aleco Julius, who garnered 510 votes, and incumbent Trustee Tyrone Modiest, who pulled down 506 votes. They outpolled write-in candidates Mayra Ortiz and Marco Lopez.

Summit resident Ted Bojanowski, who was in attendance at the meeting, said, “Once you raise your hand for another board, you are automatically off this board. You don’t need to resign.”{{more}}

The remaining members will appoint someone to take her spot on the board.

Board members also heard Michelle James, account manager for CTS, give a power point presentation about replacing the Summit high school’s air system.

CTS is a privately held energy services company out of St. Louis with locations in Illinois and has been in business since 2000.

District Business Manager Murphy said the school’s air handling system needs to be replaced and three firms were interviewed to do the work. School officials felt CTS should be awarded the job.

Ò(Replacing the equipment) is in the best interest of the district in the short and long term,” James told the board.

She said the school’s current system used two software packs, which she called Òarchaic.”

ÒThe age of the equipment makes it more difficult to control,” she added. ÒThe equipment is past its useful life. One is not working. It is 41 years old. It has an inefficient pump design, the refrigerant is phased out. It is hard to find and expensive.”

The new system would consist of one common web-based platform, which any company can troubleshoot.

Two main controllers would replace 150 pieces of equipment.

Three years of support and training would be included in the deal. The district would decide who had access to the system.

The new system would also include two high-efficiency chillers, two cell cooling towers and a second pumping system.

ÒIt will react better and save energy,” said James.

The estimated cost to replace the system was $2.3 million.

Work on the project would start this month with temperature controls installed from June through August and the chiller installed from October through December.

The work is contingent upon final approval of the contract by the district’s attorney.