Longtime Plainfield Resident Chosen For Vacant D202 Board Seat

PLAINFIELD, IL — Treasa Howard-Collins, an 18-year Plainfield resident, District 202 middle school parent, and early childhood educator, is the newest member of the district's Board of Education.

During its Monday meeting, the board appointed Howard-Collins to fill the seat vacated last month by Board member Joette Doyle. Howard-Collins will serve the remaining two years of Doyle’s term. She may then decide to run for a full, four-year term in 2023. Doyle resigned because of recent health issues.

The board chose Howard-Collins from among 29 community members who expressed interest in the open seat. Board members favored her because of her experience in early childhood education and business administration, said Board President Kevin Kirberg.

"Howard-Collins brings a unique skill set that will help us navigate the many challenges we will face, both educationally and financially, as we move beyond the Covid-19 pandemic," he said. "We are happy for her to join the Board and look forward to her contributions."

Howard-Collins has lived in Plainfield since 2003. Her son is an 8th grader at Drauden Point Middle School, and she is the center director for the Joliet Early Learning Center. She has served as a childhood educator since 2010.

She said she feels a responsibility to give back and contribute to her community.

"Being an avid lover of learning and education, I felt the school board was the best place for me to be most effective," she said.

She agrees this is a challenging time to take on such a role.

"This past year provided all of us the opportunity to simple stop and look very closely at the world around us. I have realized there is so much work to be done," Howard-Collins said.

Four of the seven seats of the D202 board are up for election this year. Incumbent members David Koch and Michael Robey are not running for reelection. The nine candidates on the ballot in April are Kathleen Baxter, Toni Galan, Nick Giannasi, Annie Klupshas, Raj Pillai, Barbara Seiden, Richard (Rick) Todd, and incumbents Rod Westfall and Robert Smith.

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