Vacant Seat Filled On District 202 Board Of Education

PLAINFIELD, IL — A Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202 Board of Education vacancy has been filled by a former teacher with the district.

Joshua Ruland, a retired public school administrator and current financial advisor, was appointed Thursday to fill the seat vacated in March by Heather Roach. He will finish out the remainder of Roach's term, through April 1, 2025, and have the option to run for a full term after.

He was chosen from a pool of six applicants due to his "wealth of knowledge in the educational and financial fields," officials said.

"Dr. Ruland brings experience in board policy and school finance," Board President Rod Westfall said in a statement. "We are excited to have him as a member of our board and look forward to his contributions."

Ruland taught at Plainfield Central High School from 2003 to 2007 before moving into administrative roles, including assistant superintendent of teaching at Minooka Community Consolidated School District 201 and director of high school core curriculum at Indian Prairie School District 204. He also was an adjunct professor at Lewis University and Olivet Nazarene University.

The newest Board member is a parent of four children who are attending or have graduated from District 202.

"I can represent the views of our community while also using my understanding and experience of school policy and administrative procedures to understand the complex nature of what challenges our schools, students, teachers, parents, staff, and administrators face," Ruland said in a statement.