PEORIA, Ill. — District Three Peoria Public School Board Member Dan Walther attended his final meeting Thursday as a member of the board.
Walther was elected to his post in March of 2016 when he defeated Terry Spayer. He was then defeated this past April by Mike Murphy.
Everyone around the table offered parting words to Walther.
“This work is not easy. We spend hours in committee work building schools, meeting and talking to parents, teachers, and other governing bodies,” said President Doug Shaw.
“This is unpaid time, and you choose to spend it working to improve the lives of others through this board. Your knowledge, passion, and attention to detail have been noteworthy and appreciated.”
District Two member Lynne Costic concurred.
“Mr. Walther, it has been wonderful working with you — at times,” she joked. “Being of two different personalities, the great thing about it is, we, in instances, agree to disagree and move on.
“Your passion for the students and the community of this district has been over and above.”
Superintendent Dr. Sharon Desmoulin-Kherat, remoting in via telephone, offered similar comments.
“I heard a theme from his peers, which, overall, is passion,” she said. “He is truly a passionate man.
“He’s made Peoria Public Schools a better place.”
Walther was given the floor before Murphy’s swearing-in. He specifically mentioned two landmark moments of his tenure: helping to negotiate a contract with the teachers’ union deep into a Friday night late in 2016, and being instrumental in the installation of solar power in district high schools.
“There were some things I tried and failed at. We still don’t have a board member on the negotiating team,” he said.
“I told Dr. Kherat I’m still her favorite pain in the [backside], because have, at times, disagreed, but she’s always been willing for me to come to the office and sit down and do a face-to-face, and I appreciate that.
“I’ve enjoyed working with all of you.”
Kherat said Walther will continue to be a part of the Peoria Stadium committee, working to renovate the venue.
